Top 10 Slaughter Songs

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Our top 10 Slaughter songs list looks at the body of work of an American hair metal outfit famed for its tremendous impact on the genre in the early ‘90s. Formed in 1988, the band found massive success with its debut album, Stick It to Ya, issued in 1990. The incredible story of Slaughter started after Chrysalis Records ended Vinnie Vincent’s contract for surpassing his credit line with the label.

After their departure from the Vinnie Vincent Invasion band, vocalist Mark Slaughter and bassist Dana Strum, saw Chrysalis Records reward their new band, Slaughter, with a recording contract. Mark Slaughter and Dana Strum went on to add guitarist Tim Kelly and drummer Blas Elias to Slaughter’s lineup. Together, the quartet achieved success with their hair metal style before the whole scene foundered by the mid-’90s.

Slaughter’s pillar of success/unique selling proposition in the metal scene was the band’s focus on catchy melodies, thanks to its charming mixture of hair metal and hard rock influences. Complemented with Mark Slaughter’s remarkable vocal range, the band’s style attracted a cult following to its musical pursuits. The result was a Platinum-certified debut album whose follow-up studio album was a commercial success too, attaining Gold certification by RIAA.

However, Slaughter’s successful days didn’t last for long following the diminishing impact of the hair metal scene as a result of the alternative rock takeover. Slaughter was unable to keep up with the musical impacts of rock outfits such as Nirvana, Soundgarden, Alice in Chains, and Stone Temple Pilots. The band struggled to make an impact with its later albums eventually releasing no new studio albums since 1999.

Slaughter’s Album Releases over the Years

In 1990, Slaughter released its breakthrough debut studio album, Stick It to Ya. The album was issued through Chrysalis Records with both Mark Slaughter and Dana Strum taking on the production roles. Stick It to Ya was a success on the mainstream, peaking at number eighteen on the Billboard 200. The album also made it to the Swiss and German Albums chart, proving the band’s influence on the European glam metal scene.

Stick It to Ya was a commercial success earning a Platinum certification a few months after its release in the US. The album was Platinum-certified for the second time in May 1991 by RIAA. Stick It to Ya was a commercial success in Canada where it was also Platinum-certified. “Fly to the Angels,” “Up All Night,” “Spend My Life,” and “Mad About You” are some of the best Slaughter songs from the album.

Thanks to Slaughter’s growing influence, the band was featured on the soundtrack of the 1991 movie Bill & Ted’s Bogus Journey with the song “Shout It Out.” Other notable artists whose songs were featured on the soundtrack of the movie included Kiss, Winger, Steve Vai, Ritchie Kotzen, Faith No More, Megadeth, and Primus.

The Wild Life, issued in April 1992, marked the band’s sophomore album and second release under Chrysalis Records. Like its predecessor, The Wild Life was a commercial success, attaining a Platinum certification in Canada. However, the album failed to sell as many copies as Stick It to Ya in the US, only settling for a Gold certification. Nevertheless, The Wild Life remains the band’s highest charting album, peaking at number eight on the Billboard 200. The album also made it to the sixty-fourth spot on the UK Albums Chart. “Real Love,” Days Gone By,” “The Wild Life,” and “Do Ya Know” are the most popular songs by Slaughter from the album.

Chrysalis Records was soon absorbed by EMI Records which failed to renew Slaughter’s recording contract. The band was swiftly signed to CMC International where it released its third studio album, Fear No Evil, in 1995. Fear No Evil was a fair release, peaking at number one hundred and eighty-two on the Billboard 200. This marked the band’s last time to have any of its releases scale up the Billboard 200 chart. Some of the musical gems from the album include “Searchin’,” “Hard Times,” “Outta My Head,” and “Live Like There’s No Tomorrow.”

The takeover of alternative rock proved too strong for the hair metal bands by the mid-’90s. However, Slaughter pushed harder with its 1997 release, Revolution. Unfortunately, the album catapulted Slaughter to neither mainstream nor commercial success. This was the last album to feature guitarist Tim Kelly, who died in 1998 as a result of a fatal car accident. Nevertheless, Revolution still features great glam metal hits including “Heat of the Moment,” “You’re My Everything,” “I’m Gone,” and “Stuck On You.”

Following the death of Kelly, the band signed Jeff Blando (current lead guitarist for Vince Neil) to take up the guitar roles. With its new lineup, Slaughter issued its fifth studio album, Back to Reality. Back to Reality marked the band’s final punch at releasing new studio albums. Like Revolution, Back to Reality failed to chart or bring substantial commercial success to the band. “On My Own,” “Love is Forever,” and “Take Me Away” are some of the best Slaughter songs from Back to Reality.

Slaughter’s Legacy

Slaughter was among the last glam metal outfits to achieve success before the scene’s prime years were put to an end by the rising alternative rock scene. The band’s music majorly featured catchy melodies, a thing that made Slaughter quite a charming hair metal outfit at the time. Mark Slaughter’s impeccable vocal range also helped the band’s music stand out. The band’s debut and sophomore albums were a commercial success.

This allowed Slaughter to share the spoils of the once flourishing hair metal scene with other outfits including Extreme, Damn Yankees, Cinderella, Dangerous Toys, White Lion, Faster Pussycat, and Winger. Here we usher in the ten best Slaughter songs of all time.

# 10 – Heat of the Moment

Ushering us to the top 10 Slaughter songs list is the ravishing hit “Heat of the Moment.” The song is among the musical gems from the band’s fourth studio album, Revolution. “Heat of the Moment” was penned by Mark Slaughter and Dana Strum. Among the biggest highlights of this song is Mark Slaughter’s magnificent vocal ability.

The song also features some enthralling guitar riffs from Tim Kelly. Despite Revolution not leading Slaughter to commercial success, songs like “Heat of the Moment” saw the band offer its fans a reason to still show hair metal some love. “Heat of the Moment” is among the last songs ever recorded by the band’s original lineup with the death of guitarist Tim Kelly in 1998 forcing the band to recruit a new guitarist.

# 9 – On My Own

The death of Tim Kelly might not have been welcome amongst the band’s fans who saw Slaughter issue magical albums in the early ‘90s. However, his spot was taken by yet another alluring guitarist, Jeff Blando, who would later become Vince Neil’s touring guitarist. “On My Own” is among the songs that bring out the brilliance of Jeff Blando on the guitars, making him a worthwhile recruit to Slaughter.

The song is among the masterpiece releases from the band’s fifth and last studio album, Back to Reality, issued in 1999. “On My Own” is among the most emotive songs from the album. The song finds the singer expressing the perturbing moments he goes through following the departure of a loved one from his life. Mark croons about how much he craves for the loved one, expressing the emptiness he feels during these lonely moments.

# 8 – Mad About You

Number eight on our top 10 Slaughter songs list is the glamorous hit “Mad About You.” The song is among the breakthrough hits featured on Slaughter’s 1990 debut studio album, Stick It to Ya. “Mad About You” received massive airplay as Slaughter went on tour to support Stick It to Ya.

The song finds the singer expressing “mad” love to a girl who matches his desires. “Mad About You” might not have made it to the Billboard Hot 100 but its impact echoed loud enough, making it one of the band’s significant releases from Stick It to Ya. The song peaked at number thirty-seven on the Billboard Album Rock Tracks Chart.

# 7 – The Wild Life

“The Wild Life” brings us to Slaughter’s second commercially successful 1992 release. This album title track is fan-favorite thanks to the individual brilliance of Slaughter’s vocalist Mark and the instrumentalists. Tim Kelly delivers some shredding guitar solos that pick up from the impressive guitar riffs that offer the song a driving rhythm.

On the other hand, Mark Slaughter delivers some fascinating high and low vocal ranges on this classic rock ballad. “The Wild Life” finds Blas Elias giving some of his best drumming skills. The music’s accompanying video adds some artistic feel to the song’s overall feel, making “The Wild Life” a worthwhile classic anthem. “The Wild Life” peaked at number twenty-eight on the Billboard Album Rock Tracks Chart.

# 6 – Searchin’

Coming in at the sixth spot on our ten best Slaughter songs is the raving hit “Searchin’.” The song is among the biggest songs from Slaughter’s third studio album, Fear No Evil. “Searchin’” stands out for its ferocious yet appealing instrumentation and enthralling composition. The song is among the hits by Slaughter whose influence was highly inhibited by the grunge takeover. Unfortunately, “Searchin’” never made it to the charts despite the infectious groove that made it a compelling hair metal classic of the mid-’90s.

# 5 – Spend My Life

Stick It to Ya is home to the fifth pick of our ten best Slaughter songs, “Spend My Life.” The song finds the singer expressing deep love to a lady who he just came across, in the hope of spending his life with her. “Spend My Life” stands out, thanks to the captivating guitar riffs by Tim Kelly. Kelly also delivers splendid guitar solos in this hair metal classic.

Mark Slaughter’s vocal delivery also adds to the pillars that make “Spend My Life” quite a masterpiece. His falsetto vocals and an incredible vocal range add glamour to the song’s overall feel. “Spend My Life” was a success, peaking at number twenty-eight on the Billboard Album Rock Tracks Chart. The song also peaked at number thirty-nine on the Billboard Hot 100.

#4 – Days Gone By

“Days Gone By” is one of the fan-favorite tracks from the band’s sophomore studio album, The Wild Life. The song finds Mark crooning about turning one’s eyes at a past companionship with warm-hearted reminiscences. Vocalist Mark believed that “Days Gone By” should have been bigger than it ever got, stating it to be his best song from the album, The Wild Life. “Days Gone By” peaked at the eighth spot on the Billboard Album Rock Tracks Chart. The song is among the band’s best shots at slow-hair metal classics!

# 3 – Up All Night

The third spot on our ten best Slaughter songs list is the intoxicating hit “Up All Night.” “Up All Night” is a song penned by Mark and Strum, and featured on Slaughter’s debut LP, Stick It to Ya. “Up All Night,” the band’s debut single, is among the first successful hits by the band peaking at number twenty-one on the Billboard Album Rock Tracks Chart.

The song managed to rise to the twenty-seventh spot on the Billboard Hot 100. “Up All Night” also marked the band’s first hit to make it to the UK Singles Chart, peaking at number sixty-two. The song stands out, thanks to the individual brilliance of vocalist Mark Slaughter and guitarist Tim Kelly.

# 2 – Real Love

“Real Love” is yet another great cut from the band’s sophomore album, The Wild Life. The song was the band’s first single issued towards the release of the sophomore album. “Real Love” begins with awe-inspiring guitar riffs by Tim Kelly. Its romantic, lyrical content and alluring instrumental and vocal delivery make it a standard classic glam metal hit. At some point, the song sounds like a power ballad!

“Real Love” is a fan favorite, thanks to its incredible emotional high notes. The song was a success, rising to the twenty-fourth spot on the Billboard Album Rock Tracks Chart. “Real Love” also peaked at number sixty-nine on the Billboard Hot 100.

# 1 – Fly To The Angels

Number one on our top 10 Slaughter songs list is the alluring hit “Fly to the Angels.” The song is Slaughter’s biggest release and career-defining hit from the band’s debut album, Stick It to Ya. This 1990 hit is Slaughter’s only song to reach Platinum status. “Fly to the Angels” feels like a hymn for a long-gone loved one.

The song was a success in the mainstream, rising to number fifteen on the Billboard Album Rock Tracks Chart. “Fly to the Angels” also made it to position nineteen on the Billboard Hot 100. On the UK Singles Chart, “Fly to the Angels” peaked at number fifty-five.