"Dr. Feelgood" is a song by American heavy metal band Mötley Crüe. It was released as the lead single from their fifth studio album of the same name.
"Dr. Feelgood" is Mötley Crüe's only gold single in the U.S. In 2009, it was ranked the 15th greatest hard rock song of all time by VH1.
Contents
Theme and musical style
The tune explores the intersection of the LA Sunset Strip scene and drugs, depicting a drug dealer. This track marks a departure from the band's earlier musical style, introducing a funk rock groove and more sophisticated lyrics that deviate from their previous straightforward riffing and simpler lyrical approach.
Critical reception
Upon release, David Giles of British magazine Music Week left a mixed review of the single. He called the song "almost funky furore, at the point where metal meets boogie" but "where the sound should be huge and fulsome, it is disappointingly trebly." Juke called it, "face-sucking, crotch-throbbing metal lust pop played by the best bad boys in the biz."
Commercial performance
Released in 1989 as the album's first single, "Dr. Feelgood" became Mötley Crüe's first American Top Ten hit, peaking at No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100 on October 28, 1989. It is their highest ranked single to this day. In November 1989, the single was certified Gold by the RIAA for more than 500,000 units shipped in the United States.
Personnel
Mötley Crüe
Vince Neil – lead and backing vocals
Mick Mars – guitar, "demonic voice"
Nikki Sixx – bass guitar, backing vocals
Tommy Lee – drums, percussion, backing vocals
Additional musicians
Mark LeFrance – backing vocals
David Steele – backing vocals
Emi Canyn – backing vocals
Donna McDaniel – backing vocals
Bob Rock – backing vocals