The Meaning Behind The Song: Kickstart My Heart by Mötley Crüe
Mötley Crüe is undoubtedly one of the greatest rock bands of all time. Their music has transcended generations and their impact on the rock scene is undeniable. One of their most iconic songs, “Kickstart My Heart,” is an epitome of their musical styling and their rockstar lifestyle. Released in 1989, it’s a timeless classic that’s still loved by rock fans around the world.
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But what does the song mean? What inspired Nikki Sixx to write it? In this article, we’ll delve deep into the meaning behind “Kickstart My Heart” and uncover the story that inspired the song.
The Backstory
The story behind “Kickstart My Heart” is nothing short of miraculous. In 1987, Nikki Sixx, the bassist of Mötley Crüe, had a near-death experience from a heroin overdose. He was declared clinically dead for several minutes before being revived by paramedics.
Sixx wrote in his autobiography, “The Heroin Diaries: A Year in the Life of a Shattered Rock Star,” that he saw himself floating above his body as the paramedics administered Narcan, an antidote for opiates.
“I’m looking down from above, and it’s not Nikki lying there – it’s like a mannequin of Nikki,” wrote Sixx. “I’m thinking, ‘Wow, what an asshole! You’ve OD’d and now you’re gonna die with your mouth open, your makeup smeared and your hair all screwed up.'”
The experience changed Sixx’s life. He went through rehab and got clean, but his brush with death left a lasting impact on him. That experience became the inspiration for “Kickstart My Heart.”
The Lyrics
The lyrics of “Kickstart My Heart” are powerful and evocative. It opens with a frantic guitar riff and the iconic scream of Vince Neil, the band’s lead vocalist.
When I get high, I get high on speed
Top fuel funny car’s a drug for me
My heart, my heart
Kickstart my heart
The opening lines of the song are pretty straightforward. Nikki Sixx is talking about his love for speed, both in the form of drugs and the high-speed adrenaline rush of racing in a top fuel funny car. He’s talking about the addictive nature of these things that give him a temporary high.
I’m a man without a face
A city without a name
I’m a bulletproof tiger
A never-ending flame
I’m the stars up in the sky
I’m the highway to your life
I’m the cream in your pie
I’m the spine that you hide
I’m the heat of your desire
I’m the flicker of your fire
The second verse of the song is more poetic and metaphorical. Nikki Sixx is talking about himself as a bulletproof tiger, a symbol of his resilience and his never-ending flame, the intensity of his passion. He’s comparing himself to the stars in the sky, which are unreachable, and the highway to someone’s life, an uncharted territory that he’s exploring. He’s the cream in someone’s pie, the essence of their pleasure, and the spine that they’re hiding behind, the support that they need.
The chorus of the song is the most memorable part, the one that gets stuck in your head for days.
Kickstart my heart
Give it a start
Ooh, yeah, baby
Kickstart my heart
Hope it never stops
Whoa, yeah, baby
The chorus is an expression of Nikki Sixx’s desire to keep his heart beating, to keep the flame of his life burning bright. He’s asking for a kickstart, a spark that will ignite his passion and keep him alive. He’s hoping that his heart never stops, that he never loses his appetite for life.
The Legacy
“Kickstart My Heart” is not just a song; it’s an anthem for rock fans around the world. The song has been featured in numerous movies, TV shows, and video games, cementing its place in pop culture. It’s a song that encapsulates the spirit of Mötley Crüe, their love for life, and their devil-may-care attitude.
In 2019, the band announced their retirement, culminating in their biopic, “The Dirt,” released on Netflix. The movie showcases the band’s journey, their struggles, their successes, and their legacy. The song “Kickstart My Heart” plays a prominent role in the movie, reminding fans of the band’s greatness.
The Takeaway
“Kickstart My Heart” is a song that’s bigger than just its lyrics or its melody. It’s a song that represents the human desire to live life to the fullest, to embrace our passions, and to never give up. It’s a song that’s inspired by a near-death experience and a desire to keep the heart beating.
As Nikki Sixx wrote in his autobiography, “Life is a game, and you either play or get played. Choose a side.” “Kickstart My Heart” is a song that celebrates life, a call to action to live passionately, fearlessly, and unapologetically. The legacy of Mötley Crüe lives on, and so does the message behind their music.
