“Clones (We’re All)” (1980) – Alice Cooper * Written by David Carron * 45: “Clones (We’re All)” / “Model Citizen” * LP: Flush the Fashion * Produced by Roy Thomas Baker * Label: Warner Bros.
Alice Cooper’s Flush the Fashion LP revealed the seventies shock rocker losing his balance in a disorienting new decade. The single “Clones (We’re All),” though, which reminded no one of vintage Alice, sounded terrific at roller rinks alongside the likes of M’s “Pop Muzik,” Gary Numan’s “Cars,” and Blondie’s “Rapture,” and likely holds a place in the hearts of all preteens who experienced it that way. Although the song’s repeating space age synth riff and evil automaton lyrics pushed it up to number 40 on Billboard, Cooper wouldn’t make the US charts again until a 1989 career revival. The writer of “Clones (We’re All)” was a Massachusetts songwriter named David Carron, who was living in Los Angeles and was friends with Alice Cooper guitarist Davey Johnstone.