Doctor Alibi

Album: Slash (2010)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This features Motorhead vocalist Lemmy, who also contributed distorted bass to the track. Slash said he was "the embodiment of rock & roll" and added, "Before we went into the studio I got a call from his guy saying, 'OK, so we need potato chips and we need Jack Daniel's, and it just reminded me of myself. And he came down with his bass and it was great."
  • Slash told Musicradar.com: "Lemmy's like one of my all-time f---ing heroes, and he's a mate too. I really appreciate everything about him. I asked him to play on the record because it just seemed like one of the coolest things to do. He came in and he wrote these great f---ing words – he's such an awesome lyricist. And the song is basically about the doctor saying that if you keep living the way you are living then you're gonna die and then another doctor saying, keep doing what you're doing you're gonna be fine. And it sort of tells the story of my whole existence!"
  • The song originally featured vocals from Linkin Park's late singer Chester Bennington before Slash got the Motörhead frontman to sing on the final version. Slash explained to Variety that Lemmy only came on board after Bennington's involvement was blocked by his band. "Musically, it's the same as the Lemmy song, but the lyrics are really poignant," he said.

    Slash added that the lyrics "really [spoke] to [Bennington's] state of mind." The song starts off:

    I went to see the doctor
    He said you're pretty sick
    You got some real bad habits
    You'd better stop right quick

Comments: 1

  • Josh from Athens, OhSlash+Lemmy=awesome. What else is there to say?
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Randy Newman

Randy NewmanSongwriting Legends

Newman makes it look easy these days, but in this 1974 interview, he reveals the paranoia and pressures that made him yearn for his old 9-5 job.

Gilby Clarke

Gilby ClarkeSongwriter Interviews

The Guns N' Roses rhythm guitarist in the early '90s, Gilby talks about the band's implosion and the side projects it spawned.

Brian Kehew: The Man Behind The Remasters

Brian Kehew: The Man Behind The RemastersSong Writing

Brian has unearthed outtakes by Fleetwood Mac, Aretha Franklin, Elvis Costello and hundreds of other artists for reissues. Here's how he does it.

Ben Kowalewicz of Billy Talent

Ben Kowalewicz of Billy TalentSongwriter Interviews

The frontman for one of Canada's most well-known punk rock bands talks about his Eddie Vedder encounter, Billy Talent's new album, and the importance of rock and roll.

David Paich of Toto

David Paich of TotoSongwriter Interviews

Toto's keyboard player explains the true meaning of "Africa" and talks about working on the Thriller album.

Christmas Songs

Christmas SongsFact or Fiction

Rudolf, Bob Dylan and the Singing Dogs all show up in this Fact or Fiction for seasonal favorites.