Scorpions are still tied as my #1 band of all time (along with Def Leopard) on just the amount of sheer songs that I just love by the band over the years. I doubt I will ever hear a band to take them off that #1 list in my mind. I see there is more than one album like this here on Epinions, my review is off the original release in 1984. This was the album that put them on the map for me and only being 12yrs old when it was released in 1984, I was lucky to have an older brother that had an open mind when it came to music. I can still remember going into his room when he was gone and putting them on his stereo while I was sneaking in some play on his computer. I can still put this album in and listen to every song without hitting the seek button on any song and enjoying the album from start to finish. Still, hard to find albums that you can do that with. I have always said, and always will, I was a lucky man to love music as I do and grow up in the 80's which, to me, is the best era of music of all time.

The band had a very hard time to start with and broke up on more than one occasion. In my opinion, they were ahead of their time and music lovers were just not ready for their kind of rock/metal sound. Their first release in 1972, Lonesome Crow, was their first break and record deal. As far as I know this was never released in the states. After not being a huge success with the album they had a hard beginning (like most bands I'm sure) but stuck with it. 12yrs later the world got to really hear who the Scorpions were and thankfully the world was ready this time around with their International release Love At First Sting. Music lovers, and Scorpions fans, would have missed out on a lot of great music if this band did not weather the hard times and kept at it. This time the world was ready for the Scorpions "sting", and "sting" they did. Over three decades later and still going as I hear, even today, they are still performing now-and-then in their homeland of Germany.

A metal/rock band can't be a huge success (in my opinion) without a lead singer that has a strong and unique voice or songs that have unique beats that vary and don't sound repetitive. Scorpions has both and they showcase them both in this album. Lead singer, Klaus Meine, has a powerful and unique voice capable of singing metal ballads like Rock You Like A Hurricane and he can go to a more subtle and relaxing tone to sing songs like Still Loving You. He has a very high range of tone that can hit high and low end notes with a drop of a hat. Again, this is shown in this album and along with the variety of music on here you really get to see what the Scorpions are about. Klaus Meine's voice played very well into the album also because of the lyrics inside. There is a wide variety of of different meanings to the songs and his powerful tone played perfectly with what the lyrics were trying to get across. The album supports fun songs, love songs, and romantic songs all in one which is not easy to do. Especially to get them all right and have a hit from in each category. The album is solid in every way and having some of the biggest hits even today in it's supporting cast there is not reason, even if you just kind of like metal/rock, not to give this album at least a listen too.


The Stand Outs
This album has it's share of standouts to be sure but, if I had to pick a favorite I would have to go with Rock you Like A Hurricane. Being a more metal breed myself this song stands out more than others on just sheer power a lone. The song starts off with a great guitar riff, followed by a sweet deep drum beat, then a fast guitar solo leaving nothing to wonder when it begins (this song will rock). The lyrics leaves nothing to ponder either as they are very blunt and just speak of a man ready to "rock" a lady like a Hurricane. I think the lyrics "The b!tch is hungry she needs to tell, so give her inches and feed her well" says it all. The song does slow down at times and Klaus Meine's goes into a softer deeper powerful tone. This only lasts until the solos where he is strong and pumps it back up. The song supports an excellent guitar solo and one of the best beats of any song I have ever heard. This is one for the ages and still standing the test of time. My very close second favorite is Still Loving You. This is where the band shows they can slow it down and play some powerful, more romantic, lyrics and music. Your typical meaning, boy looses girl and not happy but, the lyrics stand out as something special in the way the come across how a man wants woman back. The song starts off with a soft two guitar riffs that intertwine with one another with no beat. Then comes some very soft powerful lyrics spoken softly and still no beat followed by a nice soft guitar solo. When the beat hits the song speeds up a little. The chorus is strong and heavier than the rest of the song which fits perfect for the lyrics "If we'd go again, All the way from the start, I would try to change, The things that killed our love". This song has probably the best endings I have ever heard in any song. With the lyrics before the last solid guitar solo "You should give me a chance, This can't be the end, I'm still loving you" as "I'm Still Loving You" playing over a few more times with the solo is just sweet. You can't hear this song without having tingles in your veins and if you do, you need to check your pulse.

Another great song that stands out to me even today, some may disagree with me on this, is the song Crossfire. The song just has a lot of meaning and shows yet, another side of the band. At the time this song was written it was not very happy times in Germany and this song is very blunt on what the band was trying to get across about living in a "Crossfire". Having some knowledge of "war time" myself the lyrics "Why cannot people that we made the leaders of the world, Understand that we don't wanna fight, Understand that we are much too young to die, Understand no one will survive, Understand that we love our life" really says it all. It's not just the lyrics that make this song stand out though, the song supports an excellent military style drum role throughout the entire song. The guitars enter, one after the other, then the lyrics enter rather softly to begin with. The drums get louder and has their own solo later in the song and that's when the lyrics get more firm. The guitar at the end of the song is a fast paced solo that stays true as they repeat the chorus lyrics. This song will probably be one that you really appreciate and like or it may not stand out for you as much as the others.

Other songs that stood out that you see later on greatest hits albums from them (and I agree with) are Big City Nights, Coming Home, and I'm Leaving You. "Big City Nights" is a song that just has a very catchy rhythm to it and gets your body swaying with your knee playing the beat. The song starts with a nice guitar riff, strong beat (but not overdone), and the lyrics will bring you back to your later teen years. For the most part, it is just a fun song that keeps your mood subtle and the song stands out as top notch one from the band. Coming Home has always stood out to me and shows yet another side of the bad. The song lyrics are nothing different than we have all heard many times before. About a band that misses their "babe" at home while they are one tour "Year after year out on the road, It's great to be here to see you all, I know, for me it is like, Coming home." However, it is the way they present this song is what puts it as it's own. It starts off very slow with just one soft guitar in the background and some very soft lyrics through the first first verse. Then a little faster guitar riff joins in and quickly the song changes into an entirely different one. A very fast drum beat shows up and some very heavy guitar riff and some fast guitar solos. Even the way the lyrics are sung change dramatically and he sings them much harder and faster which lasts the duration of the song. This is probably a song you either really like or flat out dislike. I doubt there would be anything in between. I'm Leaving You is all about the catchy rhythm the way it's sung more then lyrics themselves The lyrics are basically a man has to go and he is telling his lady not to be down because he will be back to love her. Probably meant as a man that thinks of her as a one night stand that happens from time to time but, she wants more. Right from the start has a catchy base guitar riff, a pretty fast drum beat a solid guitar solo that comes in before any lyrics. The song repeats itself with the lyrics quite often but, gets the point across. What stands out is the music itself and the different guitar solos that play through the choruses. Just one of those songs that also will have your body swaying to the beat and seems to grow on you the more you listen to it.

The last of the stand outs to me would be the song "Bad Boys Running Wild". This song makes it to this section on the music a lone and that's it. Don't get me wrong, I think it is a solid song I just don't put it in the category as one of their best. The song itself is great with fast guitar and a nice catchy beat. The lyrics and the way they are presented are what I wish were different. Scorpions just has never been a band that has a "bad a!s" style to them or their music and this song just tends to try and make them out as that. With lyrics like, "Bad boys running wild, If you don't play along with their games, Bad boys running wild, And you better get out of their way", just doesn't fit the bad in my opinion. The song still is up there on flat out because of the great lead guitar, addicting bass guitar riffs, and a nice strong heavy beat. It would have cool if the bad had just made a re-make of this song just to hear what they could come up with. I know it's probably just me on the lyrics and most will have no trouble with them at all.


Solid Songs:
A song that is close to making the stand out section but not quite there is, The Same Thrill. The song is very fast and has a great metal sound that the Scorpions are known for. The song has an excellent guitar riff right off the bat and make you turn your head the first time you hear it. Unfortunately, the song does not keep the same "thrill" throughout. This is a very fast paced song that still sounds good but, the production of the song is not the best. After everything gets playing the lyrics are very hard to understand as they are overshadowed by the raw power of the music. Still, this song is one if you want to get pumped up for any reason or just driving in and want to blast a tune. The last song, and my least favorite on the album is "As Soon As The Good Times Roll". Still a solid song and one I don't mind listening too, just not one I would ever pick if I was only going to listen to a couple of songs on the album in a car or something. The song supports some solid guitar riffs, nice beat, and the lyrics are not bad at all. I guess, to me, it just never really stood out much over the other songs. It is a little slower than most and that, to me, does not fit entirely with the lyrics. I expected a little faster paced song once I started listening and understanding where the lyrics where going. Still, there really is not a "bad" song on this album and you probably will not find yourself disliking any of them.


Final Thought
This album is one the bands best and really put them above other rock bands in the 80's. It supports some of the best songs to come out during the best era of music (in my mind) with songs like "Rock You Like A Hurricane", "I'm Still Loving You", and "Big City Nights". These songs have stood the test of time and the changes to music for many years and are still going strong. I recommend this album to anyone I don't care what type of music you listen to mostly. It has more than one style inside the album and if you are not a familiar with the Scorpions then I recommend this album first. You my like other albums by them better but, this Love At First Sting displays what they band has always been about. The versatility of the album is great and it one of my all time favorite albums to this date.


Thank you for reading.

Scorpions Reviews:
Scorpions "Live Bites"
Scorpions "Deadly Sting: Mercury Years"
Scorpions "Top 10 Best Songs"
Scorpions "Top 20 Best Songs 11-20"



Band: Scorpions
Album: Love At First Sting
Released: 1984
Produced & Mixed: Dierks Studios Cologne
Genres I Place Them In: Rock, Metal, Classic Rock

The Band
Lead Vocals: Klaus Meine
Rhythm Guitar/Lead Guitar: Rudolf Schenker
Lead Guitar/Rhythm Guitar: Matthias Jabs
Bass: Francis Buchholz
Drums: Herman Rarebell

Tracks, Time, My Rating:
1: Bad Boys Running Wild ****
2: Rock You Like A Hurricane *****
3: I'm Leaving You *****
4: Coming Home *****
5: The Same Thrill ****
6: Big City Nights *****
7: As Soon As The Good Times Roll ****
8: Crossfire *****
9: Still Loving You *****

* The Worst / ***** The Best


Recommended: Yes

Great Music to Play While: Listening