Top Tracks: Motörhead – “Bomber”

Released on October 12th, 1979, “Bomber” was Motörhead third studio album and their second for Bronze Records. Lemmy, “Fast” Eddie Clarke and Phil “Philthy Animal” Taylor were back with another dose of loud, dirty, no-nonsense rock ’n’ roll with a heavy metal punch.

The album takes aim at everything from the police and television to marriage and show business. “Lawman”, “Talking Head”, “Poison” and “All the Aces” show Lemmy had plenty to get off his chest. And then there’s the title track a Motörhead classic that became a live favorite.

But “Bomber” has more going on than its famous title song. Let’s look at some tracks that deserve your vote.

“Bomber”

The obvious heavyweight? The title track was inspired by Len Deighton’s novel Bomber and became one of Motörhead best-known songs. It also gave the band one of their most memorable stage props: a huge, 40-foot bomber-shaped lighting rig that moved above the stage during the tour.

When you think of “Bomber” this is the song that comes to mind first.

“Stone Dead Forever”

Fast, rough and driven by that unmistakable Motörhead groove, “Stone Dead Forever” is a strong pick for anyone who loves the band at full throttle. The raw guitar work and relentless energy make it one of the album standout tracks.

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“Dead Men Tell No Tales”

This energetic opener sets the tone straight away. It also has a place in Motörhead history as the band first anti-heroin song, written during a period when producer Jimmy Miller was struggling with heroin addiction.

There’s no shortage of attitude here, but the story behind the track adds another layer to it.

“Step Down”

Here’s something different: Eddie Clarke takes over lead vocals. Lemmy later said Eddie was a good singer, even though he hated having to sing on the album after complaining about Lemmy getting all the attention.

The result is a bluesier, slower-burning change of pace and a good reason not to skip this deep cut.

“Poison”

Lemmy turns personal on “Poison” touching on marriage and his father leaving him and his mother. It brings a more personal edge to an album otherwise packed with attacks on the world around him.

The Bomber Cover That Became a Stage Show

Adrian Chesterman created the striking cover, showing the three band members in the gunner cockpits of a German Heinkel bomber. Lemmy insisted on a German plane because, as he put it “The bad guys make all the best shit”.

The artwork made such an impression that Motörhead brought the bomber to life on stage with the giant lighting rig. Not many album covers get that kind of treatment!

Now it’s your turn! 🤘

Which track from “Bomber” gets your vote? Is the title track the clear winner or do “Stone Dead Forever”, “Dead Men Tell No Tales”, “Step Down” or “Poison” deserve the spotlight?

Vote for your favorite!