From HOW YOU GONNA SEE ME NOW/NO TRICKS (single)
Written by Alice Cooper, Dick Wagner & Bernie Taupin
The last part of 1978 saw the release of Alice Cooper’s new record, “From The Inside.” The rock superstar wrote that concept album about his three months experience in a mental hospital fighting his problems with alcohol and drugs.David Foster produced the project that presented a number of effective rockers and dark ballads. All the songs were co-written by the singer with famous lyricist Bernie Taupin of Elton John’s fame. Foster recently stated that those Alice Cooper sessions were some of the best moments he ever spent in the studio. The first single was “How You Gonna See Me Now,” a power ballad based on a letter that Cooper wrote to his wife who never saw him sober before. “How You Gonna See Me Now” with its lyrical honesty and musical value is one of the best ballads of Cooper’s entire career and became a hit single reaching #12 on Billboard’s Hot 100.
That single’s b-side was entitled “No Tricks.” It’s an up-tempo rock ballad that wasn’t part of “From The Inside.” It’s a very interesting duet with back singer Betty Wright who gives the song a strong r&b flavour. Both songs benefit from Foster’s elegant yet powerful arrangements and pristine production.
Listen
[audio:https://www.fozfan.com/archives/clips/how_you_gonna_see_me_now.mp3|titles=HOW YOU GONNA SEE ME NOW|artists=Alice Cooper]
Lead Vocals: Alice Cooper
Keyboards: David Foster
Drums: Rick Shlosser
Bass: David Hungate
Guitars: Dick Wagner, Steve Lukather, Davey Johnstone & Jay Graydon
Produced & Arranged by David Foster
Lyrics
Dear darlin’ surprised to hear from me?
Bet you’re sittin’ drinkin’ coffee, yawnin’ sleepily
Just to let you know
I’m gonna be home soon
I’m kinda awkward and afraid
Time has changed your point of view
How you gonna see me now
Please don’t see me ugly babe
‘Cause I know I let you down
In oh so many ways
How you gonna see me now
Since we’ve been on our own
Are you gonna love the man
When the man gets home
Listen darlin’ now I’m heading for the west
Straightened out my head but my old heart is still a mess
Yes I’m worried honey
Guess that’s natural though
It’s like I’m waiting for a welcome sign
Like a hobo in the snow
How you gonna see me now
Please don’t see me ugly babe
‘Cause I know I let you down
In oh so many ways
How you gonna see me now
Since we’ve been on our own
Are you gonna love the man
When the man gets home
And just like the first time
We’re just strangers again
I might have grown out of style
In the place I’ve been
And just like the first time
I’ll be shakin’ inside
When I walk in the door
There’ll be no place to hide
How you gonna see me now
please dont see me ugly, babe
’cause i feel like i let you down
in oh so many ways
How you gonna see me now
Please don’t see me ugly babe
‘Cause I know I let you down
In oh so many ways
How you gonna see me now
Since we’ve been on our own
Are you gonna love the man
When the man gets home