Feature Photo: Chuck Arlund, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
Skid Row emerged from Toms River, New Jersey, in 1986, fueled by the vision of bassist Rachel Bolan and guitarist Dave “The Snake” Sabo. The two musicians sought to form a band that combined the grit of hard rock with the melodic hooks of metal, and they quickly recruited guitarist Scotti Hill, drummer Rob Affuso, and vocalist Sebastian Bach, who joined in 1987. The band’s lineup solidified just in time to sign a major label deal with Atlantic Records, a contract secured with the help of Sabo’s childhood friend Jon Bon Jovi.
In 1989, Skid Row released their self-titled debut album, produced by Michael Wagener. The record was a breakout success, driven by the singles “18 and Life,” “Youth Gone Wild,” and the power ballad “I Remember You.” The album peaked at number six on the Billboard 200 and was eventually certified multi-platinum, establishing Skid Row as one of the premier acts in the late ’80s rock scene.
The band’s success continued in 1991 with their sophomore effort, Slave to the Grind. A heavier, more aggressive album than its predecessor, it debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, making Skid Row the first heavy metal band to achieve that milestone. The album produced several hit singles, including “Monkey Business” and the title track, and received critical acclaim for its harder edge and socially charged lyrics.
However, as the grunge movement swept through the music industry in the early ’90s, Skid Row’s popularity began to wane. In 1995, the band released Subhuman Race, an album that showcased a darker, more modern sound. Despite positive reviews, the album struggled to match the commercial success of its predecessors, and internal tensions led to the departure of Sebastian Bach in 1996.
Following Bach’s exit, Skid Row entered a period of instability, with various lineup changes and a prolonged hiatus. The band returned in 2003 with Thickskin, their first album with new vocalist Johnny Solinger. The record marked a stylistic shift, incorporating alternative and modern rock influences while retaining the group’s hard rock roots. Revolutions per Minute followed in 2006, but neither release gained significant commercial traction.
After nearly a decade of lineup changes and touring, Skid Row announced in 2015 that Solinger had departed the band and was replaced by Tony Harnell, formerly of TNT. Harnell’s tenure was short-lived, and by 2016, he was replaced by South African vocalist ZP Theart, who fronted the band until 2022.
In 2022, Skid Row released The Gang’s All Here, their first full-length album in over a decade, with new vocalist Erik Grönwall. Produced by Nick Raskulinecz, the album was a return to the band’s classic hard rock sound and received praise for its energetic, back-to-basics approach. Grönwall’s powerful vocals revitalized the band’s dynamic, and the album was supported by extensive touring.
Throughout their career, Skid Row has been known for their blend of hard rock anthems and power ballads, with songs like “18 and Life” and “I Remember You” remaining staples of rock radio. Despite lineup changes and shifts in the musical landscape, the band has maintained a loyal fanbase and continues to tour extensively, celebrating a legacy rooted in the raw, unapologetic sound of late ’80s hard rock.
Complete List Of Skid Row Songs From A to Z
- 18 and Life – Skid Row – 1989
- Another Dick in the System – Revolutions per Minute – 2006
- Beat Yourself Blind – Subhuman Race – 1995
- Big Guns – Skid Row – 1989
- Bonehead – Subhuman Race – 1995
- Born a Beggar – Thickskin – 2003
- Breakin’ Down – Subhuman Race – 1995
- Can’t Stand the Heartache – Skid Row – 1989
- Creepshow – Slave to the Grind – 1991
- Disease – Revolutions per Minute – 2006
- Down from Underground – Thickskin – 2003
- Eileen – Subhuman Race – 1995
- Face Against My Soul – Subhuman Race – 1995
- Firesign – Subhuman Race – 1995
- Frozen – Subhuman Race – 1995
- Get the Fuck Out – Slave to the Grind – 1991
- Ghost – Thickskin – 2003
- Hell or High Water – The Gang’s All Here – 2022
- Here I Am – Skid Row – 1989
- Hittin’ a Wall – Thickskin – 2003
- I Remember You – Skid Row – 1989
- I Remember You Two – Thickskin – 2003
- In a Darkened Room – Slave to the Grind – 1991
- Into Another – Subhuman Race – 1995
- Iron Will – Subhuman Race – 1995
- Lamb – Thickskin – 2003
- Let It Ride – Revolutions per Minute – 2006
- Livin’ on a Chain Gang – Slave to the Grind – 1991
- Love Is Dead – Revolutions per Minute – 2006
- Makin’ a Mess – Skid Row – 1989
- Medicine Jar – Subhuman Race – 1995
- Midnight / Tornado – Skid Row – 1989
- Monkey Business – Slave to the Grind – 1991
- Mouth of Voodoo – Thickskin – 2003
- Mudkicker – Slave to the Grind – 1991
- My Enemy – Subhuman Race – 1995
- New Generation – Thickskin – 2003
- Not Dead Yet – The Gang’s All Here – 2022
- Nothing – Revolutions per Minute – 2006
- Nowhere Fast – The Gang’s All Here – 2022
- October’s Song – The Gang’s All Here – 2022
- One Light – Thickskin – 2003
- Piece of Me – Skid Row – 1989
- Psycho Love – Slave to the Grind – 1991
- Pulling My Heart Out from Under Me – Revolutions per Minute – 2006
- Quicksand Jesus – Slave to the Grind – 1991
- Rattlesnake Shake – Skid Row – 1989
- Remains to be Seen – Subhuman Race – 1995
- Resurrected – The Gang’s All Here – 2022
- Riot Act – Slave to the Grind – 1991
- See You Around – Thickskin – 2003
- Shut Up Baby, I Love You – Revolutions per Minute – 2006
- Slave to the Grind – Slave to the Grind – 1991
- Strength – Revolutions per Minute – 2006
- Subhuman Race – Subhuman Race – 1995
- Swallow Me (The Real You) – Thickskin – 2003
- Sweet Little Sister – Skid Row – 1989
- Tear It Down – The Gang’s All Here – 2022
- The Gang’s All Here – The Gang’s All Here – 2022
- The Threat – Slave to the Grind – 1991
- Thick Is the Skin – Thickskin – 2003
- Time Bomb – The Gang’s All Here – 2022
- Wasted Time – Slave to the Grind – 1991
- When God Can’t Wait – Revolutions per Minute – 2006
- When the Lights Come On – The Gang’s All Here – 2022
- White Trash – Revolutions per Minute – 2006
- World on Fire – The Gang’s All Here – 2022
- You Lie – Revolutions per Minute – 2006
- You Lie (Corn Fed Mix) – Revolutions per Minute – 2006
- Youth Gone Wild – Skid Row – 1989
Albums
Skid Row (1989): 11 songs
Slave to the Grind (1991): 12 songs
Subhuman Race (1995): 13 songs
Thickskin (2003): 12 songs
Revolutions per Minute (2006): 12 songs
The Gang’s All Here (2022): 10 songs
Check out our fantastic and entertaining Skid Row articles, detailing in-depth the band’s albums, songs, band members, and more…all on ClassicRockHistory.com
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Complete List Of Skid Row Songs From A to Z article published on ClassicRockHistory.com© 2025
