Alice Cooper’s “Elected”: From Failure to Iconic Hit

Alice Cooper’s song “Elected” transformed from an initial failure to an iconic anthem, exemplifying the intersection of rock music and political satire. Released in 1972, it became a major hit, reaching the US Top 30 and the UK Top Five. The track gained acclaim, with John Lennon even declaring it “a great record.” This marked a significant turnaround for a song that had previously bombed as Cooper’s debut single.

The story of “Elected” begins with the band’s first album, Pretties For You, released in 1969. Cooper describes it as “experimental rock’n’roll,” featuring the song “Reflected,” which he admits, was “mostly crap” with lyrics that were “gibberish.” Despite its lack of success, “Reflected” would later serve as the foundation for “Elected.”

By 1972, Alice Cooper was a prominent figure in rock music, with his single “School’s Out” reaching number one in the UK. The song’s rebellious message prompted a political backlash, with figures like Labour backbencher Leo Abse and morality campaigner Mary Whitehouse calling for a ban on his performances. Cooper reflects, “Leo Abse and Mary Whitehouse did so much for our career. We couldn’t have bought that PR.”

Inspired by the political climate and the upcoming presidential elections in the United States, Cooper sought to create a song that poked fun at politicians. He identified Richard Nixon as a prime target for satire. “Your President is always a focal point for satire, but Nixon – you couldn’t satirise him enough,” Cooper explains.

Producer Bob Ezrin played a crucial role in the song’s development, suggesting that “Reflected” be revamped. Ezrin, who had already worked with Cooper on previous albums, was seen as an unofficial member of the band. He believed the song deserved a second chance and encouraged a more grandiose approach. “Bob knew how to get your records played on radio,” Cooper states, emphasizing Ezrin’s influence on the orchestration that made “Elected” sound theatrical.

“Elected” became a parody of the political process, with lyrics reflecting a presidential candidate’s bravado and empty promises. The chorus, “I’m your Yankee doodle dandy in a gold Rolls Royce, I wanna be elected,” resonated with audiences, especially as the 1972 Watergate scandal unfolded. Cooper notes that by the time the scandal erupted, Nixon was already deeply mistrusted: “When Watergate happened, I don’t think anybody was even shocked.”

Although Cooper has never publicly aligned himself with any political party, he views “Elected” as a critique of the political system that remains relevant. “Every night when we do ‘Elected’ in the show, and I get to the punchline at the end of the song – when I talk about all the problems in the world and I say, ‘Personally, I don’t care’ – everybody cheers.”

Ultimately, “Elected” stands as a testament to Alice Cooper’s resilience and creativity. What began as a poorly received single transformed into a worldwide hit, showcasing the artist’s ability to evolve. The pinnacle of this journey came when Lennon complimented him on the track. Cooper recalls with pride, “Right after we cut ‘Elected’, I was at our record company office in New York, and John Lennon walked past me. He said, ‘Great record, Alice’. I said, ‘Thank you’. And then he took about three more steps and turned around and said, ‘Paul would have done it better’.”

For Cooper, the recognition from a musical hero like Lennon was a significant personal victory. The evolution of “Elected” illustrates not only the unpredictable nature of the music industry but also the enduring power of political commentary in art.