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Kid Rock's Devil Without A Cause turns 25 on August 18th, 2023.

Wow! It’s hard to believe that Devil Without A Cause is 25 years old! Yes, it dropped August 18th, 1998.

I remember hearing the first single off of it, “I Am The Bullgod”. I thought it was decent, but it sounded a lot like a Rage Against The Machine song to me. That was in late 1998 or early 1999. I met Rock for the first time in January of that year when he came by the station one night to do the coast to coast radio show, “Rockline”. That show emanated out of Los Angeles, but every so often bands would use our studios if they were in the area to do the 90 minutes interview show. I’ll never forget what he said to me that night about the album. He said “Listen to the rest of it….you might like it” The second I heard “Bawatdaba” I was hooked!

That year would change Rock’s life. From playing local shows, to selling out the Palace of Auburn Hills that October, to ending the year with Metallica, Ted Nugent and Sevendust at the Pontiac Silverdome. It was crazy! Rock and the Twisted Brown Trucker band were off and running!

I listened to the CD for about 6 months before realizing I had the edited version that was missing two songs. Of course I had to snag that copy too!

Let’s go through the album, Track by Track….with thoughts about DWAC from from Kid Rock, guitarist Jason Krause and keyboardist Jimmie “Bones” at the end.

  • bawitdaba

    You already know how I feel about this track. Just a kick ass start to the album, and a crazy video. About ten years later, I found myself at the Grammys in L.A. with Ron Jeremy sitting behind me. He was begging to get Kid Rock’s number from me. All I could think was, you’re in one of his videos and you don’t have his number? I didn’t give it up.

    Kid Rock - Bawitdaba [Official Enhanced Music Video]
  • cowboy

    Another song that became a massive hit, and a staple at every show, even if Rock mixes it up on tour. Also another song that kept the editors busy making it clean for radio. “Radio Edit”

    Kid Rock - Cowboy [Official Enhanced Music Video]
  • devil without a cause (featuring Joe C.)

    Another song Rock always plays live, with a special tribute to his late side man, Joe C. Maybe one of my favorites songs on the album. Great track! Cleverly written, massive groove….killer song! “I’m gonna stomp all over your test of time” He certainly has.

    Of course, you can’t forget Joe C. rapping in the middle of the song. Just classic, and still done live to this day when Rock goes up to gates of Heaven for Joe’s part.

    Kid Rock - Devil Without a Cause (Live in Baltimore 2000)
  • i am the bullgod

    A song from 1993’s Polyfuze Method, I’ve heard this song was a nod to Monster Magnet’s logo. Check out the video from the State Theater, now the Fillmore.

    “I go behind the garage….and fire it up!”

    Kid Rock - I Am The Bullgod [UNCENSORED Official Video]

     

  • roving gangster (rollin')

    Rock showing off his rap skills in the classic! Another cleverly written song with some great lyrics.

    Kid Rock - Roving Gangster (Rollin')
  • Wasting time

    You’ve probably heard this song so much you’ve forgotten that Fleetwood Mac’s “Secondhand News” is sampled in the background.

    “I’m in it to win it, like Yzerman…Can drink about 15 Heinekens”

    Kid Rock - Wasting Time
  • welcome 2 the party (ode 2 old school)

    Just like the title suggests, it’s a tribute to the old school. I always said that listening to this record was like watching an episode of The Simpson’s…you have to listen to it several times to catch everything. This song is one of those songs you need to hear a bunch of times to “get”. I’ve heard it a thousand times and I’m still picking up things here and there. Rock’s part on this song is classic! LOL

    Kid Rock -  Welcome 2 The Party [Official Video]
  • i got one for ya

    I love this song.  My favorite line on this track is “Hey Flom, you want a hit, money, I got one for ya!”. That’s referring to music executive, Jason Flom. It’s an inside industry joke.

    “Who planted that glove? Man, I don’t care…I’m too busy running my fingers through you momma’s hair” Great O.J. Simpson reference. I mean, this was 1998!

    Kid Rock - I Got One For Ya'
  • somebody's got to feel this

    Another ball breaker at warp speed. Like a train going down the track, it mows over everything in sight. I love this song!! Crank it up! Killer “metal” guitars, great lyrics, this songs goes hard.

    “Lookin’ for love, I put my talent on hold. Told my soul to glow, it said, “Get up and go”. And so I packed my bags with a whole lot of realness…Somebody’s gotta feel this!”

    Kid Rock - Somebody's Gotta Feel This
  • fist of rage

    You can hear Rock’s hunger on this track. Once again, cleaver lyrics and well written. Great guitar work as well. A straight ahead rocker!

    “I hope you see my middle finger from the stage (Feel me coming, feel me coming, feel me coming, feel me coming) I’m a Fist of Rage!”

    Kid Rock - Fist Of Rage
  • only god knows why

    Another monstrous hit off this album. This may be the first song I ever played with the use of autotune on vocals. Just listening to it now, it’s such a soulful, classic song.

    Kid Rock - Only God Knows Why [Official Music Video]
  • F(#K off (featuring Eminem)

    One of my favorites off this album. And like I said earlier, I didn’t even have this song on the original edited copy I had. Rock and Em go toe-to-toe on this classic track. A small part of Detroit music history right here. Who knew what the future would bring for these guys. Hard to imagine.

    Once again, awesome lyrics! “Persistence pays if that holds true…then I’m gonna buy this f%@king planet before the time I’m through” Rock is one of the most persistent people I know.

    Eminem nailed it too. “Yo! Tell the world to hold their breath, they’re breathin’ the wrong air. This planet belongs to me and this hippy with long hair”

    Kid Rock - F-ck Off
  • where u at rock

    Another gem of DWAC. I mean, the classic voicemail to kick off the track?!?! “Where the Hell are you? I’m really getting a little heated” says his mother as she asks where he is. Ha, love it! Just a vicious song.

    “And when you step with your anger…I’m like the robot from lost in space (danger danger)”

    Kid Rock - Where U At Rock
  • black chick, white guy/I am the bullgod remix

    An autobiographical song. Go listen to it for yourself….

    Kid Rock - Black Chick White Guy / I Am The Bullgod

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