By 1987, Mötley Crüe had become more than just a band—they were a full-on lifestyle brand of chaos, eyeliner, and unapologetic sleaze. Nothing captured that vibe better than “Girls, Girls, Girls,” the title track and lead single from their fourth album. It wasn’t subtle, and it sure wasn’t trying to be. It was a loud, raucous love letter to motorcycles, strip clubs, and the kind of wild nights that made parents nervous and MTV censors break a sweat.
A Soundtrack to Sin
Written by Nikki Sixx, Tommy Lee, and Mick Mars, “Girls, Girls, Girls” is exactly what it sounds like: a glam-metal anthem celebrating exotic dancers and the nightlife that surrounded them. The lyrics name-check real strip clubs from L.A. to Paris—places like The Body Shop, The Dollhouse, and The Crazy Horse. This wasn’t metaphor; it was a full-on tour itinerary.
Musically, the song oozes swagger: Mars’ bluesy guitar riff (rumored to have been crafted after a night fueled by Jack Daniel’s and cocaine), Lee’s pounding drums, and Vince Neil’s sneering vocals all come together perfectly. The track kicks off with the roar of a Harley—no studio trick, but a real recording of the band’s own motorcycles.
The Video: Censored and Celebrated
Directed by Wayne Isham, the music video was shot inside The Seventh Veil strip club in L.A., featuring the band tearing around on motorcycles and partying with dancers. The original cut showed topless scenes and got banned by MTV, who instead aired a toned-down version. But of course, that controversy only made the song blow up even more.
Charting the Chaos
“Girls, Girls, Girls” climbed to No. 12 on the Billboard Hot 100 and reached No. 26 in the UK. It quickly became a staple, both at strip clubs and Crüe concerts. The album itself went quadruple platinum in the U.S., riding the wave of the band’s wild reputation. Nikki Sixx’s near-fatal overdose later that year—when he died and was revived—was a grim symbol of just how far the band was living on the edge. It was peak Mötley Crüe: loud, reckless, and impossible to ignore.
Legacy in Leather
Today, “Girls, Girls, Girls” feels like both a time capsule and a declaration of intent. It’s been parodied, covered, and even inspired real-life strip clubs (Vince Neil opened one in Vegas). It’s definitely not politically correct, nor does it want to be. But it remains an undeniable classic—a glam-metal anthem that still revs engines and raises eyebrows decades later.
Mötley Crüe – Girls Girls Girls – Lyrics