25 Best Mötley Crüe Songs

Mötley Crüe is one of the most well-known heavy metal bands of the 1980s. The group has been rocking for decades and released multiple albums and songs throughout the years. Keep reading as we rate the 25 best songs from Mötley Crüe through the years! 

1. Dr. Feelgood 

Mötley Crüe - Dr. Feelgood (Official Music Video)

First on our list of the best Mötley Crüe songs is the hit song from 1989, Dr. Feelgood. It talks about the drug lifestyle and habits of a junkie, which the band was struggling with at the time. In a coming full circle moment, this single went gold and brought Mötley Crüe back from almost certain career death. 

As most people know, drug abuse and excessive partying put them in that situation in the first place, almost losing it all, including their lives. Dr. Feelgood reached the sixth place on the Billboard Hot 100 and seventh on the Billboard Mainstream Rock charts. 

2. Home Sweet Home 

Mötley Crüe - Home Sweet Home (Official Music Video)

Home Sweet Home was released in 1985, and this song is one of the best power ballads of the 1980s by Mötley Crüe. When you hear this song, you just want to sing along, and it’s a classic slow song that both men and women love. 

Home Sweet Home also has one of the most recognizable piano introductions in rock music, thanks to Tommy Lee. This was the first song where Mötley Crüe showed their vulnerabilities and emotions to the public, and it was certainly memorable. While the song never reached number one, it hit 89 on the Billboard Hot 100. 

3. Shout At The Devil 

Shout at the Devil

Calling all MMA fans, did you know that Brock Lesnar used Shout At The Devil as his entrance music for his first three fights? A song that has been in movies, video games, and even a Hardee’s commercial, this song was released by Mötley Crüe in 1983. This song put the band at the top of the rock and metal scene. It reached 30 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Airplay chart and has stood the test of time as one of the best Mötley Crüe songs ever made. 

4. Looks That Kill

Looks That Kill was released in 1984 and reached 54 on the Billboard Hot 100 charts but reached 12 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock charts. This song is considered one of the best of the band’s songs because it has a devilish feeling and imagery within the video. The riffs throughout Looks That Kill are heavy, and the premise of flirting with danger or an attraction you know is wrong makes this song even more evil and fun. 

5. Girls, Girls, Girls 

Girls, Girls, Girls (2021- Remaster)

In the 1980s, we heard a lot of bands sing about girls, but Girls, Girls, Girls ended up being one of the biggest hits for Mötley Crüe, and it deserves a spot on our list. Released in 1987, this song is sleazy, and it’s almost like an anthem for a strip club, so it’s all about what it’s like being a member of that band and having women throw themselves at you. It’s also catchy and reached 12 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. 

6. Smokin’ In The Boys Room 

Smokin’ In The Boys Room (2021- Remaster)

In 1985 Mötley Crüe released Smokin’ In The Boys Room, and this cover of Brownville Station is one of the top Mötley Crüe songs, and it made it to 16 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The song is all about boys trying to find a way to smoke while at school, so they go into the bathroom, which is a classic teenage move, and it’s a nostalgic song of rebellion. 

7. Wild Side 

Wild Side (2021- Remaster)

Wild Side was released in 1987, and Mötley Crüe hit it out of the park with this song as it’s all about life in Los Angeles for a musician. Dirty, cocky arrogance, and scenes of everyone trying to make it big in one of the roughest towns in America. You get a glimpse of the filth and lifestyle some of those in the music scene lead, and it’s about as slimy as you’d expect. 

8. Live Wire 

Mötley Crüe - Live Wire (Official Music Video)

In 1981, we were introduced to Mötley Crüe with the hit song Live Wire. It was the debut single of the album Too Fast For Love. The heavy riffs, drums, and vocals from Vince Neil made this one of the most iconic Mötley Crüe songs ever. It reached 24 on the Billboard Hot Rock & Alternative Songs chart and was used in various video games years later, such as Saints Row: The Third and NBA 2K20.

9. Kickstart My Heart 

Kickstart My Heart (2021- Remaster)

Kickstart My Heart was released in 1989. It’s one of the best rock songs ever and remains one of the top Mötley Crüe songs of all time. This song was inspired by the overdose of Nikki Sixx and the experience of being brought back to life. Considering the drug history of this band, this song gets to the essence of a hard-partying lifestyle and the repercussions of drug use, which in this case was a near-fatal overdose. 

10. Don’t Go Away Mad (Just Go Away) 

Don't Go Away Mad (Just Go Away) (2021- Remaster)

Released in 1987 as a single from the album Dr. Feelgood, Don’t Go Away Mad (Just Go Away) is a classic song that is more pop than other songs Mötley Crüe released. Even with the pop elements, there is still a lot of hard rock in the song, and if you’ve ever gone through a breakup, then you’ll relate to the lyric in this song. A lot of people related to it, judging by the fact that it peaked at number 19 on the Billboard Hot 100 and 13 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Airplay charts.

11. Public Enemy #1

Public Enemy #1 was released in 1981, and this song is iconic since it has the vibe of the early Mötley Crüe days. There is a little punk and rock mixed in with metal and hard rock, so it’s a song that many people found enjoyable and fun. Interestingly, this song was written by Lizzie Grey and Nikki Sixx in the band that he helped found before Mötley Crüe. 

12. Piece Of Your Action 

Mötley Crüe - Piece Of Your Action (Official Audio)

In 1981, Mötley Crüe released Piece Of Your Action, showcasing how talented the entire band was from the start. It’s sexy, slimy, dirty, and just one of those rock songs you’ll remember once you listen. Mick Mars shines in this song, and the guitar riffs are nothing short of amazing. 

13. Same Ol’ Situation 

Same Ol' Situation (S.O.S.)

Same Ol’ Situation was released in 1990, and this is a song about a woman dumping a guy for another woman, which made the song stand out during that time as that wasn’t talked about publicly much. It was not a mean song and had a very light-hearted, funny touch, reaching number 78 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. 

14. Too Young To Fall In Love 

Mötley Crüe - Too Young To Fall In Love (Official Music Video)

Too Young To Fall In Love came out in 1983, and it’s one of the classics from the album Shout At The Devil. The best part of this song is the music video, which was expensive and cool because it depicts the band as ninjas. This song is incredibly catchy and fun, so it’s more light-hearted than the drugs and heartbreak we’re used to hearing about from the band. It went on to peak at number 90 on the Billboard Hot 100. 

15. Primal Scream 

If you haven’t heard Primal Scream, this is a song you must listen to if you’re a Mötley Crüe fan because it’s classic Mötley Crüe mixed with a music video too hot to be aired without censors. Uncensored, there is a full-frontal nude scene at the end of a woman, but you never saw that version on television. This was a heavy rock and glam song about women and partying, and this song made it to number 63 on the Billboard Hot 100 charts.

16. Tonight (We Need A Lover) 

Tonight (We Need A Lover)

Tonight (We Need A Lover) is one of those songs from Theatre of Pain that is more of a throwback to the previous album, so it’s hard-hitting and heavy. Released in 1985, this song showcases Tommy Lee and his drumming abilities with hard drum beats and great guitar riffs. So many double entendres were in this song, and it’s catchy, funny, and one of the more entertaining songs to be released by the band. 

17. White Trash Circus 

Mötley Crüe - White Trash Circus (Official Music Video)

White Trash Circus is a Mötley Crüe song that details when the band was hitting their peak and simultaneously self-destructing, so it’s chaotic, which you can hear in the guitar riffs. The lyrics are pretty funny but sad simultaneously, and it’s a great inside look into what was going on with the band at that time. This song is great because the band isn’t afraid to make fun of themselves and reflect on their real-life struggles. 

18. You’re All I Need 

Mötley Crüe - You're All I Need (Official Music Video)

You’re All I Need was released in 1987, and this song is simply nothing but tragic you can feel that emotion in both the guitar and piano elements of the song. Nikki Sixx later explained that this song was written when he thought his girlfriend cheated on him. The other guy was Jack Wagner, who had a song called All I Need, which is why Sixx named this song You’re All I Need

Nikki recalled that he went over and played this song for his girlfriend without even saying a word. He said she cried, and he walked away, so it’s heartbreaking and emotional. Sadly, because the video had domestic violence, MTV banned it, and it only reached 83 on the Billboard Hot 100.

19. Danger 

In 1983 Mötley Crüe released Danger which is one of the songs that doesn’t get enough attention even though it’s a story about what life was like for the band in the early days. There was a lot of danger back then, including when hotel rooms would be destroyed, drinking and driving, and the overdose of Nikki Sixx. There was truth to the lyrics of Danger when the boys would be around, and it was a cautionary tale that we just love to listen to. 

20. Saints Of Los Angeles 

Mötley Crüe - Saints of Los Angeles (Official Music Video)

The 2008 release of Saints of Los Angeles has heart, attitude, soul, and arrogance, which was displayed throughout the lyrics and was as hard-hitting as any other Mötley Crüe song.

While the band might have been middle-aged when they released the song, it sounded as heavy and dirty as any other Mötley Crüe song before it. It peaked at number five on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart and was nominated for a Grammy. Even classic Mötley Crüe fans found this song to be good for its time, and it received a lot of radio play. 

21. Starry Eyes 

In 1981 Mötley Crüe released Starry Eyes, a classic tune likely about a woman that Nikki Sixx had the hot for at the time. You can feel the raw energy in this song, and it’s a love song with a more tortuous message. If you’ve ever tried to get the man or woman of your dreams, this song will hit home and make you think about how helpless you felt during that time. 

22. Keep Your Eye On The Money 

Keep Your Eye On The Money (2021- Remaster)

Released in 1985, Keep Your Eye On The Money is all about watching your money, as you might expect from the title. A song about making sure you focus on your goals even if they are hard to achieve. It’s going to leave you feeling inspired and motivated. While we aren’t sure about the band’s financial situation, we know that this song at least made it seem like the boys knew they needed to have sound financial advisors. 

23. On With The Show 

Mötley Crüe - On With The Show (Official Audio)

On With The Show was released in 1981, and it’s a classic if you like lyrics that tell stories with the character, in this case, named Frankie. The story with this song is that it’s about Nikki Sixx renouncing his birth name which was Frank, and once you know that, the song makes perfect sense. A great song that we feel doesn’t get enough attention. 

24. Without You

Without You came out in 1989 and was about the relationship between Heather Locklear and Tommy Lee. It’s a romantic song and one of their best ballads, as Mick Mars has an amazing steel guitar intro and solo in the song. Reaching number 8 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and 11 on the Mainstream Rock chart, it was a hit and one of the more emotional songs from the band. 

25. If I Die Tomorrow 

If I Die Tomorrow was released in 2005, and it was part of the album Red, White & Crüe, a song featuring a music video that goes through some of the worst aspects of their lives. The video includes the infamous overdose of Nikki Sixx and the death of Razzle due to Vince Neil drinking and driving. It’s a haunting song that makes us all think about the bad moments of our lives, and it’s a reflective piece that puts their fame into perspective. 

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