"Afraid" is a song by the American heavy metal band

Mötley Crüe Mötley Crüe is an American Heavy metal music, heavy metal band formed in Hollywood, California, in 1981 by bassist Nikki Sixx and drummer Tommy Lee, with guitarist Mick Mars and lead vocalist Vince Neil joining right after. The band has sol ...

, released on their 1997 album ''

Generation Swine ''Generation Swine'' is the seventh studio album by the American heavy metal band Mötley Crüe, released on June 24, 1997. The album marks the return of lead singer Vince Neil following his last appearance on 1991's '' Decade of Decadence'' an ...

''. A two-track ''pig promo'' picture CD includes the 3:56 Swine Mix and 4:10 Rave Mix. Written by bassist

Nikki Sixx Nikki Sixx (born Frank Carlton Serafino Feranna Jr.; December 11, 1958) is an American musician, songwriter, record producer, and radio personality, best known as the co-founder, bassist, primary songwriter, and only constant member of the hea ...

, the lyrics were inspired by the early stages of his relationship with

Donna D'Errico Donna Jeanette D'Errico (born March 30, 1968) is an American actress. She posed for ''Playboy'' as its Playmate of the Month for September 1995 and had a starring role (1996–1998) on the television series ''Baywatch''. She continues to act i ...

, when he felt she was running away from him out of fear of getting too close.Lee, Tommy, Mick Mars, Vince Neil, Nikki Sixx and Neil Strauss. ''The Dirt: Confessions of the World's Most Notorious Rock Band'', Regan Books, 2002. The song charted at number 10 on the

Mainstream rock Mainstream rock (also known as heritage rock) is a radio format used by many commercial radio stations in the United States and Canada. Format background Mainstream rock stations represent a cross between classic rock, active rock and alternativ ...

charts. This is the first single featuring

Vince Neil Vincent Neil Wharton (born February 8, 1961) is an American musician. He is the lead vocalist of heavy metal music, heavy metal band Mötley Crüe, which he fronted from their 1981 formation until his departure in 1992. Neil reunited with the ...

on lead vocals since their cover of "

Anarchy in the U.K. "Anarchy in the U.K." is a song by English punk rock band the Sex Pistols. It was released as the band's debut single on 26 November 1976 and was later featured on their album ''Never Mind the Bollocks, Here's the Sex Pistols''. "Anarchy in th ...

" in 1991.

Music video

A video was made to promote the single, and was directed by Nancy Baldawil, and produced by Devin Whatley and Joseph Uliano. The video was filmed in May 1997, and first aired on June 9 of that year. Featured in the video is '' Hustler Magazine'' head

Larry Flynt Larry Claxton Flynt Jr. (; November 1, 1942 – February 10, 2021) was an American publisher and the president of Larry Flynt Publications (LFP). LFP mainly produces pornographic magazines, such as '' Hustler'', pornographic videos, and three p ...

Charts

Covers

American country musician and

Staind Staind ( ) is an American rock band from Springfield, Massachusetts, formed in 1995. The original lineup consisted of lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist Aaron Lewis, lead guitarist Mike Mushok, bassist and backing vocalist Johnny April, and ...

lead vocalist

Aaron Lewis Aaron Francis Lewis (born April 13, 1972) is an American musician who is best known as the lead vocalist, rhythm guitarist and founding member of the alternative metal band Staind, with whom he released eight studio albums. Since 2010, he has p ...

recorded a cover of the song for the tribute album Nashville Outlaws: A Tribute to Mötley Crüe.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Afraid (Motley Crue song) 1997 songs 1997 singles Mötley Crüe songs Songs written by Nikki Sixx Elektra Records singles