Top Ten Songs by Mötley Crüe

Mötley Crüe burst onto the Los Angeles scene in 1981. Often cited as one of the founders of "glam rock", the band quickly became a fixture on the local club circuit. Releasing their 1981 debut album, "Too Fast For Love" on their own label, Leathür Records, Mötley Crüe catapulted to a hugely successful career that has spanned nearly three decades. To their credit, the band can claim nine studio albums, an American Music Award in 1991 for Favorite Heavy Metal/Hard Rock Album: "Dr. Feelgood", a slew of smash hit singles, and countless worldwide tours laden with debauchery.

I was only five years old when Mötley Crüe began their career. I certainly was not of age to understand the depth of their appeal to the masses. The rebellion, the attitude, the sex, drugs and rock n' roll; it all went over my head at that time. I was just a little girl who loved her rock music. As is often the case with children, my introduction to music came from a parent. My mother bought the first Mötley Crüe album, and from the first time I heard it, that was it for me - I was a fan. From the age of five to thirty-three, walk with me through a musical history, the top ten songs by Mötley Crüe.

10. Afraid. After producing a less-than-remarkable (okay, it was a flop) album with new vocalist, John Corabi, founding members Nikki Sixx, Tommy Lee and Mick Mars reunited with original vocalist Vince Neil for the 1997 album "Generation Swine". The first single, "Afraid", demonstrated an impressive return from Neil, whose haunting vocals tell the tale of an insecure woman in fear of life itself. From the opening lyric, "Do you, do you wanna bleed?", the shallow hiss consumes you as the accompanying instrumentals create a resonating rhythm. Though the album may be viewed as slightly disappointing to longtime fans, "Afraid" was a stellar single.

9. Saints of Los Angeles. In 2008, Mötley Crüe released their first studio album in eight years. "Saints of Los Angeles" spawned a smash single by the same name. The remainder of the album left something to be desired, but "Saints" confirmed that the Crüe still holds a firm grasp on their bad boy roots. As somewhat of a soundtrack to their best-selling autobiography, The Dirt, "Saints" is the grit-riddled story of the band that plays like a mantra. Keeping with the attitude that continues to find legions of fans singing their praises, the Crüe stomps out the infectious chorus, "Doesn't matter what you think. We're gonna do it anyway".

8. Wild Side. Before they proclaimed themselves the saints of Los Angeles, Mötley Crüe staked their claim to being the kings of the "Wild side" on the hit 1987 album, "Girls, Girls, Girls". The Crüe share their vision of life in the rough and tumble world of L.A., completing their wild image with trademark leather and motorcycles. The guitar riffs throughout the song stand out as some of Mick Mars' finest work.

7. Glitter. Though not one of their more commercial successes, "Glitter" shows that the bad boys of rock are capable of showing a notably deep softer side. The ballad, from the "Generation Swine" album, is a melodic departure from the norm for the Crüe. While Sixx, Mars, Lee and Neil have built up an enviable reputation with female fans, "Glitter" finds Neil in the unusually vulnerable position of pleading with the object of his desire to commit to him. This is a far cry from the typical for the foursome, known for their numerous romantic conquests, and short-lived relationships, and just the kind of power ballad that will leave the fairer sex weak in the knees.

6. Primal Scream. The 1991 album, "Decade of Decadence", was a greatest hits-style compilation meant to celebrate ten years of Mötley Crüe. The album also included a new track entitled "Primal Scream", which was yet another overnight success for the band. Personally, I'm a sucker for a deep, dominant bass line, so I may be just a bit biased in terms of this particular song. From the very first note, Sixx's famed bass styling is prominent. After a few bars of reverberating bass backed by Lee's pounding snare, Mars tears in with a screaming rhythm that unites the instrumental trio in a unison more perfect than they've ever managed prior. Even before one word is sung, "Primal Scream" is a winner on musical merit alone.

5. Too Young to Fall in Love. Once Mötley Crüe found a home on a major record label (Elektra), they released 1983's "Shout at the Devil". Cementing their place as a mainstream success, "Shout" yielded multiple hits, including a cover of The Beatles' hit, "Helter Skelter". Arguably, the most memorable single was "Too Young to Fall in Love", which brilliantly displayed the improvement in both the band's recording forum, and their ability to perform as a tight, single unit. It didn't hurt that the accompanying music video found the Crüe boys individually participating in martial arts battles with sexy Asian women.

4. Girls, Girls, Girls. The first single from the album of the same name, "Girls, Girls, Girls" fast became the official song of the adult dance industry. A salute to strippers everywhere, "Girls" was a fixture in dance clubs everywhere, far beyond the time it spent as a radio hit. Throughout the song, the Crüe pays lyrical tribute to the clubs they frequented across the U.S., naming off the best of the best venues, one by one, backed by a burrowing guitar groove that hips can't help but swing to.

3. Dr. Feelgood. 1989's "Dr. Feelgood" was widely praised as Mötley Crüe's ultimate display of musical talent. Admittedly their first album recorded while sober, the band was heralded for a fabulous post-rehab release. The first single, sharing its name with the album, was ironically themed around the raging drug trade. "Feelgood" brought the Crüe into the limelight in the hearts of not only their loyal fans, but a flock of new ones. The entire album was lauded by critics, and earned the rejuvenated foursome accolades abroad.

2. Live Wire. The debut song, off the debut album, "Live Wire" introduced Mötley Crüe to the world. Though the audio recording, and the music video were both of low technical quality (due to the budget of the fledgling band), the raw talent and awesome energy was evident. Vince Neil's vocal chops were chaste and fresh, hitting mythical notes in perfect pitch. Tommy Lee twirled the sticks with the showmanship that would eventually become his trademark. Mick Mars sawed away at his axe like a lumberjack. And...of course...there was that fantastic pyrotechnic display when Nikki Sixx lit his leather pants aflame. All a perfect combination for the birth of rock 'n' roll history.

1. Home Sweet Home. The thought of dubbing a power ballad as a legendary rock band's greatest song seems a little, well... anticlimactic. However, it also makes perfect sense. "Home Sweet Home", from the 1985 album, "Theatre of Pain", is arguably Mötley Crüe's most widely-recognized single. Having been covered by notable artists such as Limp Bizkit and Carrie Underwood, it has reached multi-generational masses in waves of resurgence. One of rock's original power ballads, "Home Sweet Home" continues to land on "top" countdowns of all kinds.

In the heart of the most loyal Crüe fans, lesser-known tracks such as "Merry-Go-Round", "Dancing On Glass" or "Five Years Dead" may rank among their finest tunes. But... if there is one song that will certainly stand the test of time to play on as the legacy of Mötley Crüe, "Home Sweet Home" would be it.