Welcome To My Nightmare Era

Background

Welcome To My Nightmare is the 8th 'Alice Cooper' studio album and was released in 1975. It is notable not only for being the first not to feature the original Group members but also because of the innovative presentation and development methods employed. Firstly, it is a concept album that tells a broadly linear story across the songs. This was quite remarkable in its day and makes for an absorbing listen (i.e. even if you don’t necessarily like all the tracks, then you at least pay more attention to their lyrics, in case they form an important element of the story). Secondly, the album was produced with a lavish stage show in mind so it is, in essence, reverse engineered.

 

The album was released under the Atlantic Records label in the USA and Anchor Records in Europe after Alice and Shep Gordon exploited a loophole in the Alice Cooper Group's Warner Brothers contract, which enabled them to release a soundtrack album with another record company. What was the album a soundtrack to? The answer is the lesser known, but extremely good, 'The Nightmare' TV special. 

 

The album’s storyline revolves around the nightmares of a child named Steven (played by Alice) and his battle to escape back to the safety of his bed and real life. It’s fair to say that the story being told does deviate at times, but the overall execution is highly captivating.

 

The album was also helped by the return of Bob Ezrin as producer with the original Group members replaced by Lou Reed’s backing band, most notably including guitarists Dick Wagner and Steve Hunter (who had both had input on the final Alice Cooper Group albums). Are the original Group missed? Being brutally honest, not really, at least not on this debut solo album. This is partly because the album’s biggest strength is the concept itself, because those brought in to replace them were fine musicians themselves, and because this album simply reaffirms the fact that Alice was undoubtedly a star in his own right. The absence of the original Group members would not be truly felt until a little later.

 

“Welcome To My Nightmare, I think you’re going to like it” whispers Alice as the album opens with a jazz inspired number. The track benefits from some excellent instrumental backing in order to create the illusion of a hazy dream where literally anything could happen. 

 

Devil's Food is a great rocker with Alice in fine voice. Vincent Price (i.e. 'The Curator'), however, is the star of the show with his spoken part, introducing to us (and paying homage to) the Black Widow spider, delivered in the terrifying and creepy manner that he became famous for. His devotion to the Black Widow as the successor to mankind is brilliantly portrayed and his appearance must stand out as one of the best ideas Alice and co. made.

 

Following Price’s introduction, we launch straight into Black Widow. This is a high octane rocker as Alice pledges his allegiance to the Queen of the arachnids. The presence of children singing in the background simply adds to the theatrical feel of the song. Brilliant!

 

Some Folks is a slice of pure Broadway with big production, flamboyant use of brass instruments and a catchy chorus. Alice is again in fine voice as he sings about sick perversion and the inner conflict that it generates. The contrast between the song’s theme and the way it’s presented are rather mind blowing and brilliantly executed.

 

Only Women Bleed is Alice’s most well-known ballad and provides a nice interlude to the madness around it. The story relates to abusive relationships and is delivered in a powerful yet poignant way. Some parties have misunderstood the song but it seems clear to me that it’s a sympathetic take on the pains that women go through against physically stronger partners. This certainly wasn’t the first time that this happened (with Dead Babies being the most notable example).

 

Department Of Youth is the School’s Out of Welcome To My Nightmare (only without the worldwide success), with Alice again addressing the youth of the world. Whilst it sounds slightly out of place on the album (no nightmares here), it’s a great rocker and a crowd favourite when played live. The song ends in hilarious fashion as, when asked who gave them 'the power', they reply “Donny Osmond”, much to Alice’s disgust!

 

Cold Ethyl is a class track which again sees Alice exploring his perverted inner conscience, this time clearly defined as he fantasises about a relationship with the deceased Ethyl. There are some extremely funny lyrics on offer here as Alice states that “Ethyl don’t have much to say”!

 

The album takes a sinister turn with the ultra-creepy Year Ago, which kicks off a hat-trick of songs that are intrinsically linked and amongst the finest of Alice’s solo work. It sounds like it is set in a deserted fairground with Steven alone on a merry-go-ride. Steven appears close to breakdown with him sounding despondent and delusional with the voices in his head playing tug-of-war with him.

 

In the self-titled Steven, he loses the battle and gives in to the voices telling him to “Kill, Kill, Kill”. Before doing so he justifies to himself that he is merely following God’s plan and that he doesn’t really want to take a life. The song is not only brilliantly moody but is also accompanied by a fantastic orchestral score throughout.

 

The Awakening finds a semi-conscious and disorientated Steven in a basement. He follows the trial of blood that is dripping from his hands, upon realising what he’s done he declares ‘I’m a man”! 

 

The tempo picks up with Escape, as Steven realises it’s all just a dream and decides to evade the clutches of his nightmare and return to real life. This song neatly ends the album and leaves the listener in good spirits, a fitting end to the most diverse of albums. Escape was used to terrific effect on the stage show, with the famous 'Magic Screen' becoming one of Alice's stand-out moments in his career.

Welcome To My Nightmare Album Cover

Welcome To My Nightmare 12" Promotional Vinyl Album

1975, Atlantic Records, SD 18130

This USA 12" promotional copy of Alice's first solo album (and also the first and only under the Atlantic Records label) is a significant departure from the majesty of the Alice Cooper Group releases, featuring just a simple card sleeve. It does, however, include the iconic illustration by renowned artist Drew Struzan (who worked on films like Star Wars and Indiana Jones and also drew the Alice Cooper Greatest Hits artwork) of a smartly dressed Alice emerging from a dark triangle (surrounded by bugs) and tipping his hat in a friendly manner. The artwork flows over to the rear of the sleeve, where track listings and credits are provided.

 

The paper inner sleeve features track listings, lyrics and credits on either side together with a photo of Alice and images of a hat and creepy spider.

 

As this is a promotional copy, it includes an additional sticker on the front, which provides four 'SUGGESTED CUTS FOR AIR PLAY' (Welcome To My Nightmare, Department Of Youth, Cold Ethyl and Escape). There is also a small saw cut on the spine, and into the inner sleeve, which was commonly added to promotional records to deter their resale to the public.

 

The disc features green and red Atlantic labels, which are identical to USA stock copies (i.e. the sticker on the front is the only way to differentiate promotional copies from stock copies).

 

Discogs Link: Click Here

Welcome To My Nightmare 12" Vinyl Album

1975, Atlantic Records, SD 18130

This USA 1st pressing of Welcome To My Nightmare is identical to the promotional version (above) only that it features and 'Only Women (Bleed)' hype sticker on the shrink wrap instead of the promotional sticker. Also, the pressing code on the vinyl label is slightly different (i.e. 'RI' instead of 'PR'), which I understand indicates that it was pressed in a different plant.

 

Discogs Link: Click Here

Welcome To My Nightmare 12" Vinyl Album

1975, Anchor Records, ANCL 2011

The UK 1st pressing of Welcome To My Nightmare is nearly identical to the USA version (above) only that it features black Anchor Records labels (who pressed the album in Europe and other territories).

 

Discogs Link: Click Here

Welcome To My Nightmare 12" Vinyl Album

1975, Anchor Records, 8121

 

This Argentine 1st pressing of Bienvenido A Mi Pesadilla (i.e. Welcome To My Nightmare) comes in a simple card sleeve with unique Spanish text artwork and features black Anchor Records labels with bilingual Spanish / English track listings. The rear of the sleeve is almost identical to the USA and UK version (above) only that the track listings are again presented in both Spanish and English.

 

One other point of note is that the inside sleeve features unique content on one side (the other side is blank).

 

Discogs Link: Click Here

Welcome To My Nightmare 12" Vinyl Album

1982, Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab, MFSL 1-063

This 'Limited Edition' USA vinyl re-issue of Welcome To My Nightmare is notable as it features a half-speed, high fidelity, recording transferred from the original stereo master tape, which is then pressed (in Japan) onto a partially transparent 'Super Vinyl' compound disc. The result is a superior listening experience, with improved clarity and quietness, that is more readily accessible than the previously released 'Quadraphonic' versions of the Billion Dollar Babies and Muscle Of Love albums by Warner Brothers.

 

In terms of the packaging, this release can be identified by a yellow 'Original Master Recording' banner on the front and rear the sleeve, additional information booklet and unique white Atlantic vinyl labels. 

 

Discogs Link: Click Here

Welcome To My Nightmare 12" Vinyl Album

2010, Friday Music, FRM 18130

This USA 180 gram re-issue of Welcome To My Nightmare comes in a gatefold sleeve with the material from the inner sleeve of the original release transposed onto the centrefold. The vinyl faithfully replicates the labels of the USA pressing (above) only that 'Friday Music' replaces 'Atlantic'.

 

Discogs Link: Click Here

Welcome To My Nightmare 12" Vinyl Album

2018, Rhino Entertainment, RCV1 18130

This 'Limited' 140 gram vinyl re-issue of Welcome To My Nightmare was released in January 2018 at the same time as additional releases of Easy Action and Killer. Each featured different colour vinyl and production numbers with this one pressed in opaque purple and being limited to 6,200 units worldwide.

 

This version faithfully recreates the original USA album (above) including the vinyl sleeve featuring track listings, lyrics and credits on either side.

 

Unlike the initial Easy Action and Killer re-issues, this version was correctly pressed in the factory meaning you actually get the Welcome To My Nightmare music on it!

 

Discogs Link: Click Here

Welcome To My Nightmare 12" Vinyl Album

2021, Atlantic Records, RCD1 18130 / 603497843497

This further 'Limited Edition' vinyl re-issue of Welcome To My Nightmare features a clear disc and was sold in both Europe and the USA. Again, this version faithfully recreates the original USA album (above) including the vinyl sleeve featuring track listings, lyrics and credits on either side.

 

It is not known how many copies were pressed, but it was freely available, suggesting that production numbers were significant. 

 

Discogs Link: Click Here

Welcome To My Nightmare 12" Vinyl Album

2023, Atlantic Records, APA 015-45

 

This special 180-gram limited edition USA vinyl re-issue of Welcome To My Nightmare formed part of the 'Atlantic 75' audiophile series which, as the name suggests, celebrated the 75th anniversary of Atlantic Records.

 

With the somewhat ironic price tag of £75, this was not cheap, but it's clear where the money was spent. Firstly, you get a stunningly remastered version of the album spread across two 45 RPM discs for maximum fidelity. The results are absolutely stunning, with a level of depth and clarity not previously heard for this album. Secondly, the packaging is outstanding, with the original release faithfully recreated, but with added lamination for near-perfect levels of rigidity and shine (pictures really don't do it justice).

 

Also provided is an extra double-sided insert providing a brief history on Atlantic Records and its 75th anniversary celebrations.

 

An interesting anomaly with this release is that ~2,000 copies were provided with a unique number stamp on the back of the sleeve (see example image below). However, my copy does not have one and this is apparently because those with stamps merely formed part of an initial pre-order batch, whereas the final number of pressings is likely to be much higher. 

 

There is absolutely no doubting that this is a stellar release. However, there is a significant issue which must be highlighted. With the album now spread over two discs, you will need to halt your listening three times in order to hear it through from start to finish. In the case of side two, that means you only get to enjoy two tracks (Some Folks and Only Women Bleed). Whilst this is probably inconvenient at worst for most albums, it's a real problem here as it results in the intrinsically linked trio of Years Ago, Steven and The Awakening being severed a third the way in. It's the equivalent of adverts starting right in the middle of a cliffhanger movie scene and is massively irritating. Surely something could have been done to keep them together!? I would even have been happy for Department Of Youth to be moved to the back of the album if it meant preventing this.

 

So, in summary, it's hard not to be wowed by what's on offer here, but like a supercar, it's not that practical to live with everyday. With this is mind, it's for hardcore fans / audiophiles only and a better alternative is either the Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab vinyl version (above) or the imminent Atlantic 75 SACD version.

 

Discogs Link: Click Here

Welcome To My Nightmare 8-Track Album

1975, Atlantic Records, TP 18130

This USA 8-Track album features a black cartridge and includes the original album cover artwork and track listings on the front. The wrap-around sticker also provides the product code on the side.

 

One notable aspect of this release is that the track order is different to the usual arrangement, with the majority of them appearing out-of-place. This was presumably due to the need to adequately fit everything into the four 'programs' on the cartridge, but has a significant impact on the flow of this concept album.

 

Discogs Link: Click Here

Welcome To My Nightmare 8-Track Album

1975, Anchor Records, 8X-ANCL 2011

This UK 8-Track album features a white cartridge and includes the original album cover artwork and track listings in black-and-white on the front. The wrap-around sticker also provides the product code on the side. This copy also includes a silver card sleeve with further track listings and credits.

 

As with the USA 8-Track (above) the track order is different to the usual arrangement, with the majority of them appearing out-of-place. Also, Black Widow and Only Women Bleed now span more than one of the 'programs' on the cartridge (meaning that they had interrupted playback as the reading head changed position). This illustrates the limitations of this music format.

 

Interestingly, The Black Widow is titled simply 'Black Widow'.

 

Discogs Link: Click Here

Welcome To My Nightmare Cassette Album

1975, Atlantic Records, ATL CS 18130 0797

This USA 1st edition cassette version of Welcome To My Nightmare comes in a plastic 'Slipcase' containing abridged artwork on the front and track listings on the back. Inside is a hot pink tape with printed additional track listings. 

 

Discogs Link: Click Here

Welcome To My Nightmare Cassette Album

Unknown Year, Atlantic Records, CS 19157

This USA re-issue cassette of Welcome To My Nightmare was likely to have been produced in the late 70's or early 80's and includes a basic, one-sided, J-Card featuring abridged artwork and track listings. Inside is a white tape with additional track listings. 

 

Discogs Link: Click Here

Welcome To My Nightmare Cassette Album

1975, Anchor Records, 3C 244 96350

 

This Italian cassette of Welcome To My Nightmare includes a basic, one-sided, J-Card featuring abridged artwork, track listings and credits. Inside is a blue tape providing additional track listings.

 
One notable aspect of this release is that the track order is different to the usual arrangement, with the majority of them appearing out-of-place, which has a significant impact on the flow of this concept album.
 
Discogs Link: Click Here

Welcome To My Nightmare Cassette Album

1975, Anchor Records, ANKH 2011

 

This New Zealand cassette of Welcome To My Nightmare includes a basic, one-sided, J-Card featuring abridged artwork, track listings and credits. Inside is a grey tape with white stickers providing additional track listings.

 

Interestingly, The Black Widow is titled simply 'Black Widow'.

 

Discogs Link: Click Here

Welcome To My Nightmare Cassette Album

Unknown Year, Wea, M5 99237

 

This Australian re-issue cassette of Welcome To My Nightmare was likely to have been produced in the late 70's or early 80's and includes a basic, one-sided, J-Card featuring abridged artwork, track listings and credits. Inside is a white tape with white stickers providing additional track listings and credits. 

 

Discogs Link: Click Here

Welcome To My Nightmare Cassette Album

Unknown Year, Atlantic Records, AC-18130

This Canadian re-issue cassette of Welcome To My Nightmare was likely to have been produced in the late 70's or early 80's and includes a basic, one-sided, J-Card featuring abridged artwork and track listings. Inside is a black tape with additional track listings. 

 

One notable aspect of this release is that the track order is different to the usual arrangement, with the majority of them appearing out-of-place, which has a significant impact on the flow of this concept album.

 

Discogs Link: Click Here

Welcome To My Nightmare CD Album

Unknown Year, Atlantic Records, R2 531664

This USA CD version of Welcome To My Nightmare comes in a jewel case and features only a two-sided paper inlay containing track listings and credits.

 

Discogs Link: Click Here

Welcome To My Nightmare CD Album

2002, Atlantic Records, 81227 43832

This European remastered CD edition features tweaked tracks, a much better booklet with a superb biography by Jeffrey Morgan and three 'Alternative Version' bonus tracks:

 

> Devil's Food is nearly two minutes longer than the album version yet doesn't include Vincent Price. Instead there's a haunting instrumental section, very good but you couldn't possibly swap this with the album version.

 

> Cold Ethyl is very similar to the album version but with slightly different instrumental arrangements.

 

> The Awakening is also about two minutes longer than the album version with less prominent vocals and embellished instrumental sections.

 

Whilst the bonus material is welcomed none of it is particularly essential.

 

Discogs Link: Click Here

Welcome To My Nightmare 'Mini LP' SHM CD Album

2011, Atlantic Records, WPCR-14306

In 2011, all the Alice Cooper albums from Pretties For You through to From The Inside were re-issued in Japan on 'Super High Material' (SHM) CD format. SHM CD's are, apparently, made of improved material, that provides a clearer medium for the reading of the data and so reduces read errors and thus can improve sound quality.

 

A notable feature of all the SHM releases is that they closely replicate the original packaging of the vinyl releases. In the case of Welcome To My Nightmare, this is a basic sleeve, so this is obviously reflected here. An additional black-and-white bilingual lyric booklet and external 'Obi Strip' are also provided (both of which are common features of Japanese music releases). 

 

What would have been really cool though is if they had made the CDs look more like miniature vinyl discs. What is offered is still more than satisfactory though and the SHM releases are definitely the quintessential Alice Cooper CD editions of all the available variants out there.

 

Discogs Link: Click Here

NOTE: Further CD copies of this album are featured in the Compilations and The Studio Albums 1969-1983 sections of this website.

Welcome To My Nightmare DVD-Audio

2001, Atlantic Records, 8122-76785-9

Along with Billion Dollar Babies, Welcome To My Nightmare was the only other Alice Cooper album to receive an 'DVD-Audio' release. Oddly, and in complete contrast to the Billion Dollar Babies version (and liner notes) almost all the features on the disc are accessible using a standard DVD player. This makes this European release more useful as you get treated to an entertaining interview with Bob Ezrin and Alice plus a biography and credits (the photo gallery and lyrics feature cannot be accessed though).  

 

The interview is great with highlights being the Only Women Bleed clown story, the Vincent Price changing wording story ("you're Vincent Price, you can do whatever you want" jokes Alice) details of the Magic Screen prop plus some comments on Brutal Planet, which was released around the same time.

 

Sonically, this release features the original quadrophonic mix which can be played in 'Advanced Multi-Channel' stereo and surround sound plus Dolby 5.1 surround sound.

 

Although released around the same time as the remastered CD, this version does not include the three bonus tracks. However, it does feature the same inlay, only this time in novelty clown size to fit the odd sized case.

 

Discogs Link: Click Here

Only Women Bleed 7" Promotional Vinyl Single

1975, Atlantic Records, 45-3254

 

This USA 7" promotional vinyl single features Atlantic labels, comes in an Atlantic paper sleeve, and includes Mono and Stereo versions of Only Women Bleed, abbreviated to 'Only Women' (from the Welcome To My Nightmare album) on Sides A and B respectively. This was a common feature of promotional singles at the time, as it enabled radio stations to play songs on both AM (Mono) and FM (Stereo) stations.

 

Uniquely, the vinyl labels are different on either side, with red and white used on the mono side and light blue on the stereo side.

 

Discogs Link: Click Here

Only Women Bleed 7" Vinyl Single

1975, Atlantic Records, 45-3254

 

This USA vinyl single comes in a simple paper sleeve and features Only Women Bleed, abbreviated to 'Only Women' on Side A and Cold Ethyl on Side B (both from Welcome To My Nightmare).

 

Discogs Link: Click Here

Only Women Bleed 7" Vinyl Single

1975, Anchor Records, 1C 006-96650

 

This German 7" vinyl single features black Anchor Records labels, a paper sleeve and includes Only Women Bleed (abbreviated to 'Only Women') on Side A and Devil's Food on Side B (both from the Welcome To My Nightmare album).

 

The front of the sleeve features a sepia-tone image of Alice in make-up and top hat. On the back is promotional material for the album featuring the original version of the artwork.

 

Discogs Link: Click Here

Only Women Bleed 7" Vinyl Single

1975, Anchor Records, 2C 004-96650

 

This French 7" vinyl single features black Anchor Records labels, a paper sleeve and includes Only Women Bleed (abbreviated to 'Only Women') on Side A and Devil's Food on Side B (both from the Welcome To My Nightmare album).

 

The front of the sleeve features a black-and-white image of Alice in make-up (hand-marked in red to looks like blood) and top hat. On the back is a blown up image of the Anchor Records logo.

 

Discogs Link: Click Here

Department Of Youth 7" Promotional Vinyl Single

1975, Atlantic Records, 45-3280

This USA 7" promotional vinyl single features Atlantic labels, comes in an Atlantic paper sleeve, and includes Mono and Stereo versions of Department Of Youth (from the Welcome To My Nightmare album) on Sides A and B respectively. This was a common feature of promotional singles at the time, as it enabled radio stations to play songs on both AM (Mono) and FM (Stereo) stations.

 

Uniquely, the vinyl labels are different on either side, with red and white used on the mono side and light blue on the stereo side.

 

Discogs Link: Click Here

Department Of Youth 7" Promotional Vinyl Single

1975, Anchor Records, ANC1012

This UK 7" promotional vinyl single features a paper sleeve, complete with spider on either side, and features Department Of Youth on Side A and Cold Ethyl on Side B (both from the Welcome To My Nightmare album).

 

Discogs Link: Click Here

Department Of Youth 7" Juke Box Vinyl Single

1975, Anchor Records, 3C 000 70041

This Italian dual-artist 7" jukebox promotional single comes in a paper sleeve (with cut-out label hole), features a white Anchor vinyl label, and includes Department Of Youth on Side A (from the Welcome To My Nightmare album) and the track The Secrets That You Keep by British glam rock band Mud on Side B, which features an alternative Columbia label.

 

The sleeve, however, is entirely Alice-themed and features similar artwork to the Welcome To My Nightmare album on the front and back.

 

Discogs Link: Click Here

Department Of Youth 7" Vinyl Single

1975, Anchor Records, 3C 006 96379

This Italian 7" vinyl single features black Anchor Records labels, comes in a paper sleeve and includes Department Of Youth on Side A and Cold Ethyl on Side B (both from the Welcome To My Nightmare album).

 

The front of the sleeve has the same image of Alice as featured on the Welcome To My Nightmare album artwork (above). On the back are track listings and promotional material for the Welcome To My Nightmare LP.

 

Discogs Link: Click Here

Department Of Youth 7" Vinyl Single

1975, Anchor Records, 1C006-96379

This German 7" vinyl single features black Anchor Records labels, comes in a paper sleeve and includes Department Of Youth on Side A and Cold Ethyl on Side B (both from the Welcome To My Nightmare album).  

 

The front of the sleeve features the cover image of Alice from the Welcome To My Nightmare album set against a black background. On the back is promotional material for the album featuring the original version of the artwork.

 

Discogs Link: Click Here

Department Of Youth 7" Vinyl Single

1975, Anchor Records, 8E006 96379

This Portuguese 7" vinyl single features black Anchor Records labels, comes in a paper sleeve and includes Department Of Youth on Side A and Cold Ethyl on Side B (both from the Welcome To My Nightmare album).  

 

The front of the sleeve features an image of a petrified Alice / Steven in make-up watching a group of large spiders creep towards him in bed (this is no-doubt taken from the filming of 'The Nightmare' TV special). On the back are track listings and credits.

 

Discogs Link: Click Here

Department Of Youth 7" Vinyl Single

1975, Anchor Records, SANC-88851

This Yugoslavian 7" vinyl single features black Anchor Records labels, comes in a paper sleeve and includes Department Of Youth on Side A and Cold Ethyl on Side B (both from the Welcome To My Nightmare album).

 

The sleeve has the same image of Alice dressed in leotard and top hat (by Bret Lopez), set against a green background on both the front and back.

 

Discogs Link: Click Here

Department Of Youth 7" Vinyl Single

1975, Anchor Records, 4C006-96379

This Belgium 7" vinyl single features black Anchor Records labels, comes in a paper sleeve and includes Department Of Youth on Side A and Cold Ethyl on Side B (both from the Welcome To My Nightmare album).

 

The sleeve has a blue-tone image of Alice, as featured on the Welcome To My Nightmare album artwork (above), on both the front and back. Interestingly, the sleeve needs to be flipped vertically rather than horizontally otherwise the image on the back will appear upside down.

 

Discogs Link: Click Here

Department Of Youth 7" Vinyl Single

1975, Anchor Records, 5C006-96379

This rare Dutch 7" vinyl single features black Anchor Records labels, comes in a paper sleeve and includes Department Of Youth on Side A and Cold Ethyl on Side B (both from the Welcome To My Nightmare album).

 

The sleeve has a tritone image of Alice, as featured on the Welcome To My Nightmare album artwork (above) on the front. On the back is promotional material for the album featuring the original version of the artwork.

 

This release is notable as Cold Ethyl is spelt 'Gold Ethyl' on the front of the sleeve. This error is not present on the back of the sleeve or the vinyl labels.

 

Discogs Link: Click Here

Department Of Youth 7" Vinyl Single

1975, Anchor Records, IPR-10732

This rare Japanese 7" vinyl single features black Anchor Records labels, comes in an EMI paper sleeve complete with colour insert, and includes Department Of Youth on Side A and Cold Ethyl on Side B (both from the Welcome To My Nightmare album).

 

The insert features an image of Alice dressed in leotard and top hat (by Bret Lopez) set against a bright background plus additional flamboyant Japanese hype text. On the back are track listings, lyrics and credits.

 

A promotional copy of this release also exists, which is identical except that it features white vinyl labels instead.

 

Discogs Link: Click Here

Department Of Youth 7" Vinyl Single

1975, Anchor Records, 2C 004-96.379

This French 7" vinyl single features black Anchor Records labels, comes in a card sleeve and includes Department Of Youth on Side A and Cold Ethyl on Side B (both from the Welcome To My Nightmare album).

 

The front of the sleeve features an image of Alice performing live surrounded by a unique 'Alice Cooper' logo. On the back are track listings and a blown up image of the Anchor Records logo.

 

Discogs Link: Click Here

Department Of Youth 7" Vinyl Single

1975, Anchor Records, J006-96.379

This Spanish 7" vinyl single features black Anchor Records labels, comes in a paper sleeve and includes Departamento Juvenil (i.e. Department Of Youth) on Side A and Etilo Frío (i.e. Cold Ethyl) on Side B (both from the Welcome To My Nightmare album).

 

The front of the sleeve features images of Alice, a top hot and spider from the inner sleeve of the Welcome To My Nightmare vinyl album (above). On the back is promotional material for other artists of the time.

 

Discogs Link: Click Here

Welcome To My Nightmare 7" Promotional Vinyl Single

1975, Atlantic Records, 45-3298

This USA 7" promotional vinyl single features Atlantic labels, comes in an Atlantic paper sleeve, and includes Mono and Stereo versions of Welcome To My Nightmare (from the Welcome To My Nightmare album) on Sides A and B respectively. This was a common feature of promotional singles at the time, as it enabled radio stations to play songs on both AM (Mono) and FM (Stereo) stations.

 

Uniquely, the vinyl labels are different on either side, with red and white used on the mono side and light blue on the stereo side.

 

Discogs Link: Click Here

Welcome To My Nightmare 7" Vinyl Single

1975, Anchor Records, 16 537 AT

This German 7" vinyl single features black Anchor Records labels, a paper sleeve and includes Welcome To My Nightmare on Side A and Black Widow on Side B (both from the Welcome To My Nightmare album).

 

The sleeve features the same image on both sides of a petrified Alice / Steven in make-up watching a large spider creep towards him in bed (this is no-doubt taken from the filming of 'The Nightmare' TV special).

 

Discogs Link: Click Here

Four Tracks From Alice Cooper, 12" Vinyl EP

1978, Anchor Records, ANE 12001

This UK 4-track EP was released 3 years after Welcome To My Nightmare, come in a simple card sleeve, and features Welcome To My Nightmare and Department Of Youth on Side 1 and Black Widow and Only Women Bleed on Side 2 (all from the album Welcome To My Nightmare).

 

The rear of the sleeve includes some background / marketing text describing how this "EP projects Alice Cooper at his most ingenious, compelling and outstanding".

 

Discogs Link: Click Here

Welcome To My Nightmare Special Edition DVD

2017, Eagle Vision, EREDV1283

 

In 1975, a TV special called 'The Nightmare' aired on USA channel ABC. Starring Alice as Steven and Vincent Price as 'The Spirit', The Nightmare was a full blown concept film that featured alternative (and out-of-sequence) versions of every track from the Welcome To My Nightmare album plus Ballad Of Dwight Fry (from the Love It To Death album). A number of interludes add further context to Steven's nightmare and help tie the storyline together well. 

 

Also included in this spectacular release is the Welcome To My Nightmare concert film, making this utterly essential to have. The only sour point though is that Department Of Youth is removed from this version (it is listed on the back cover and on the DVD menu, but all you get is the post-song encore). I can only assume that it was dropped as the footage was a little ropey at times.

 

Discogs Link: Click Here

Welcome To My Nightmare 10" Vinyl Single

2021, Metal Department, 10MD-03

This unusual European 10" vinyl release was produced by the Maltese company Metal Department. It features a modern interpretation by Alice of the Welcome To My Nightmare song, taken from the 2010 digital-only EP Alice Does Alice (which also included updated solo versions of School's Out, No More Mr Nice Guy, Elected and Eighteen). The songs on Alice Does Alice were re-recorded primarily for the ‘Guitar Hero’ type computer games that were popular at the time and were "produced by Bob Ezrin based on his original productions, trying to recreate the original recordings as close as possible but using modern recording techniques". Some of these recordings were later also used for the soundtrack of the 2021 Alice Cooper And The Tome Of Madness online slot-game.

 

To date, this is the only time any material from Alice Does Alice has been released on physical format. Limited to only 500 copies worldwide, it includes only Welcome To My Nightmare on Side A, with Side B completely blank and instead provided with a unique etched spider web design.

 

Also provided is a simple card sleeve which features some fairly forgettable artwork together with track listings and credits.

 

Discogs Link: Click Here

Welcome To My Nightmare Promotional Jigsaw Puzzle

1975

This nice promotional item is the same size and appearance as the sleeve of the original 12" vinyl. The front, however, is a neat 49-piece jigsaw puzzle (the pieces are still sealed together).

Welcome To My Nightmare Jigsaw Puzzle

2020, Rock Saws, RSAW058PZ

This further Welcome To My Nightmare jigsaw by Rock Saws comes in a nice sturdy box, features 500 pieces and measures 41 x 41cm when built. It is of excellent quality, with good-fitting pieces and a nice glossy finish. 

 

A puzzle for the Trash album was also produced at the same time.

Welcome To My Nightmare T-Shirt

2023

 

This shirt was sold on the official Alice Cooper EU store and features the iconic artwork from the original release (above). Somewhat randomly, it was produced to celebrate the album's 48th anniversary.

For the 'Flash Fearless' and 'I'm Flash' releases Click Here.

For the Welcome To My Nightmare concert film Click Here.

For the Goes To Hell era Click Here.