Decade of Decadence 81 91

Overview

Though it was intended to be the band's first compilation album, the content was unlike a standard compilation release. As well as six of the band's greatest hits, it featured three remixes ("Live Wire (Kick Ass '91 Remix)", "Piece of Your Action (Screamin' '91 Remix)" and "Home Sweet Home '91 Remix"), a soundtrack contribution ("Rock 'n' Roll Junkie"), a compilation album track "Teaser" (previously released on the Stairway to Heaven/Highway to Hell album), a previously unreleased live track ("Kickstart My Heart (Live in Dallas, Texas)") and three newly recorded songs "Primal Scream", "Angela" and "Anarchy in the U.K.".

The album debuted at No. 2 in the US albums chart, just under Garth Brooks Ropin' The Wind, and was certified double platinum by the RIAA.

Music videos were made for the three singles to promote the album. "Primal Scream", "Home Sweet Home '91", and "Anarchy in the U.K." which was largely shot on the bands Monsters of Rock tour in Europe. "Angela" was released as a promo single.

The remix version of "Home Sweet Home" was the band's 8th and final Top 40 hit in 1991, reaching No. 37 on the Billboard Hot 100. The original 1985 version had only reached No. 89 on the same chart.

"Rock n' Roll Junkie" had been featured in the Andrew Dice Clay movie, The Adventures of Ford Fairlane, which featured a cameo by Vince Neil.

The songs, "Smokin' in the Boys Room", "Teaser" and "Anarchy in the U.K." are all cover songs, originally recorded by Brownsville Station, Tommy Bolin, and Sex Pistols respectively. During an MTV interview in 1991, Tommy Lee stated that Vince Neil recorded his vocals for "Anarchy in the U.K." in one take. Neil has stated that John Lydon called him saying the cover was brilliant.

Reissue

The album is now out of print, having been replaced by Greatest Hits in 1998 and by a reissue in 2009. The latter compilation featured a different track order, including previously unreleased material. The songs, "Teaser", "Rock 'n' Roll Junkie", "Primal Scream", "Angela", and "Anarchy in the U.K." were reissued on the Supersonic and Demonic Relics compilation in 1999, and the remixes of "Live Wire", "Piece of Your Action", "Home Sweet Home" and the live version of "Kickstart My Heart" were reissued on the Music to Crash Your Car to: Vol. 2 box set.

Video album

Decade of Decadence was also released as a video album on VHS on March 24, 1992. The video features new interviews and the band's full catalog of music videos, which were in part previously released on the video albums Uncensored and Dr. Feelgood The Videos. It includes new live clips, music videos from the album Girls, Girls, Girls and the new music videos "Primal Scream", "Home Sweet Home '91", and "Anarchy in the U.K.". The interview segments were directed and produced by Brian Lockwood

Track listing

1. "Live Wire"
2. "Looks That Kill"
3. "Too Young to Fall in Love"
4. "Smokin' in the Boys Room"
5. "Home Sweet Home"
6. "Girls, Girls, Girls" (uncensored version)
7. "Wild Side"
8. "You’re All I Need"
9. "Dr. Feelgood" (UK edit version)
10. "All in the Name of..." (live in Moscow 08/89)
11. "Kickstart My Heart"
12. "Without You"
13. "Don't Go Away Mad (Just Go Away)"
14. "Same Ol' Situation"
15. "Primal Scream"
16. "Anarchy in the U.K."
17. "Home Sweet Home '91"