Alice Cooper: Welcome To My Nightmare UK Single (1975)

Ezrin's Muppet-Ready Mayhem

Alice Cooper’s “Welcome To My Nightmare” 7-inch vinyl single, was released in the UK on November 14, 1975, on Anchor Records (catalogue: ANC 1025). Backed with “Black Widow,” this theatrical disco-jazz-hard rock fusion, written by Cooper/Wagner (A) and Cooper/Wagner/Ezrin (B), was produced by Bob Ezrin for My Own Production Company Ltd. The A-side’s funky beat, acoustic guitar (Dick Wagner), bass (Tony Levin), clarinet (Jozef Chirowski), drums (Johnny Badanjek), and electric guitar (Steve Hunter) peaked at No. 45 on the Billboard Hot 100 but did not chart in the UK. Issued in standard and US promo/Monarch/Specialty/Plastic Products variants, it’s a standout from Welcome To My Nightmare.

Single Overview

A-Side: “Welcome To My Nightmare”

Written-By – Cooper, Wagner. Producer – Bob Ezrin.

B-Side: “Black Widow”

Written-By – Cooper, Wagner, Ezrin. Producer – Bob Ezrin.

Release Details:

Label: Anchor Records (UK pressing, 45 RPM).

Published By – Warner Bros. Music Ltd.

Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Anchor Records Ltd.

UK Formats:

Vinyl, 7", 45 RPM, Single (ANC 1025): Commercial

A: “Welcome To My Nightmare”– Written-By – Cooper, Wagner – Producer – Bob Ezrin

B: “Black Widow” – Written-By – Cooper, Wagner, Ezrin – Producer – Bob Ezrin

Vinyl, 7", 45 RPM, Single (ANC 1025): Demonstrational

A: “Welcome To My Nightmare”– Written-By – Cooper, Wagner – Producer – Bob Ezrin

B: “Black Widow” – Written-By – Cooper, Wagner, Ezrin – Producer – Bob Ezrin

Country Variations

The single was released in Canada, Germany and the US:

Vinyl, 45 RPM, 7" (all with the same two tracks) bar promotional releases

Canada (Atlantic – AT 3298)

A Welcome To My Nightmare 2:44

B Cold Ethyl 2:50

Manufactured By – WEA Music Of Canada, Ltd.

Distributed By – WEA Music Of Canada, Ltd.

US (Atlantic 45-3298):

Vinyl, 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo, MO - Monarch Pressing

A Welcome To My Nightmare 2:44

B Cold Ethyl 2:50

Vinyl, 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo, PL - Plastic Products Pressing

A Welcome To My Nightmare 2:44

B Cold Ethyl 2:50

Vinyl, 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo, SP - Specialty Pressing

A Welcome To My Nightmare 2:44

B Cold Ethyl 2:50

Vinyl, 45 RPM, 7", Promo, Stereo, Mono, PL - Plastic Products Pressing

A Welcome To My Nightmare 2:44

B Welcome To My Nightmare 2:44

Vinyl, 45 RPM, 7", Promo, Stereo, Mono, SP - Specialty Pressing

A Welcome To My Nightmare 2:44

B Welcome To My Nightmare 2:44

Vinyl, 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo, Mono, MO - Monarch Pressing

A Welcome To My Nightmare 2:44

B Welcome To My Nightmare 2:44

Germany (Anchor 16 537 AT)

A Welcome To My Nightmare 2:50

B Black Widow 3:22

Record Company – Ariola Eurodisc GmbH

Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Anchor Records Ltd.

Pressed By – Sonopress

Production and Context

Produced by Bob Ezrin for My Own Production Company Ltd. Recorded in 1975 during Welcome To My Nightmare sessions. The lineup: Alice Cooper (vocals), Dick Wagner (acoustic guitar), Tony Levin (bass), Jozef Chirowski (clarinet), Johnny Badanjek (drums), Steve Hunter (electric guitar). “Welcome To My Nightmare” mixed disco/jazz/hard rock, later performed on The Muppet Show.

Single Chart Performance

“Welcome To My Nightmare” peaked at No. 45 in the US, with no UK chart entry.

Legacy and Collectibility

“Welcome To My Nightmare” is Cooper’s theatrical disco-rock staple, with “Black Widow” a spooky B-side. Original UK 7-inch vinyls fetch £5–£15 on eBay/Discogs, US pressings (£3–£10). Verify catalogue ANC 1025.

Streams on Spotify via Welcome To My Nightmare reissues preserve the analog nightmare. This single is a must-have for Cooper fans and ‘70s shock collectors.

Have you snagged this Cooper nightmare in your vinyl collection? Does Welcome To My Nightmare haunt you? Share in the comments!

Sources

Information is drawn from my personal knowledge and supplemented by web sources, including Discogs, 45cat, AllMusic, Rate Your Music, Wikipedia, BBC Official Charts Company, Billboard Chart History and YouTube

What’s the next classic vinyl you’d like to feature? Share in the comments!