Nikki Sixx Names The David Bowie Song That Inspired Mötley Crüe

Nikki Sixx recently spoke to Spin about some of his inspirations throughout the years. He revealed that David Bowie’s song ‘Future Legend’ inspired him to write ‘In the Beginning.’

As you may know, Nikki Sixx wrote the track ‘In the Beginning’ for their album ‘Shout at the Devil’ in 1983, which became the first song on the album, followed by the title track. Therefore, the fans connected the first song’s ending with the latter and almost considered the two tracks as one.

‘In the Beginning’ tells the story of how evil has overcome the good in the world and claims we have to ‘Shout at the Devil’ to bring back the good. The song’s lyrics refuted all the claims about ‘Shout at the Devil’ being a song dedicated to the Devil and the Church of Satan because ‘In the Beginning’ clearly states that we have to beat evil. Like many other Mötley Crüe songs, the bassist and founder Nikki Sixx wrote the monologue featured in ‘In the Beginning.’

In his recent interview, he stated that his main inspiration was David Bowie’s 1974 album, ‘Diamond Dogs.’ This album also includes a monologue that describes a dystopian world where bad things are dominating the world called ‘Future Legend.’ Sixx stated that his other songs like ‘Rebel Rebel’ and ‘Diamond Dogs’ inspired him with their storytelling and then praised the entire album.

Here is what Sixx stated about the songs he was inspired by for ‘In the Beginning’:

“‘Diamond Dogsby’ David Bowie influenced me in a lot of ways, including the opening of Side 1, Side A on the vinyl, and any other version of listening to that album that you can get. ‘Future Legend’ was the blueprint for ‘In the Beginning’ on the ‘Shout at the Devil’ album.

And songs like ‘Rebel Rebel’ and ‘Diamond Dogs’—the lyrical level approach, the storytelling—it lined up with everything that I was getting into as far as writers, and lyricists, and other bands. That album is the perfect album.”

You can listen to ‘In the Beginning’ and its inspiration ‘Future Legend’ below.