'Runnin' On Borrowed Time' - Unreleased RATT Track

Thanks to the power of email forwards, I was just sent a video of the unreleased RATT track "Runnin' on Borrowed Time." The song is from the Reach For the Sky Sessions and I'm just stunned! I've never heard this before and it's like a little gift: hearing a new Robbin Crosby tune is very exciting. What do you think?

Comments

[Dirk]

Sounds like classic RATT as it should. Love it!!

[Metalboy!]

First off, what an incredible find. It amazes me how bands as big as RATT NEVER released any B-Sides back in the day when they had tracks like this laying around. Imagine if this had been the flip to "Way Cool Jr"!

And I DO really like this song, BUT...

There's a reason why it has never really seen the light of day until now...

I borrowed a Metal Detector from one of those weirdos on the beach to help me discover why this got shelved. The main reason is because it's references are just a tad too recognizably transparent. But if you're gonna steal, steal from the best, as our friend, Ace would say...

So here is the not-so-secret recipe RATT used for this little dittie:

Take the rolling signature riff from Heart's "Barracuda" which is a cop of Zeppelin's "Achilles Last Stand", combine it with the opening riff of "Owner Of The Lonely Hearts" by YES and viola!

[reptileblvd]

Great find! The metal Gods have smiled upon us today.

[Bob]

I always thought that the "Barracuda" riff was a cop from Black Sabbath's "Backstreet Kid", but I suppose "Achilles Last Stand" works too.

[Gary]

Wow,thanks for this Ally! Awesome find. And MB, the "galloping" guitar part of the verses could've also been "borrowed" from about a thousand songs from your all time favorites, one Iron Maiden....lol. 8-)

[Metalboy!]

Yeah, don't think Iron Maiden is quite as distinct as the three songs mentioned -- good call, Bob. But didn't "Backstreet Kid" come after "Achilles", too?

Can ya hear the cop off "Owner Of The Lonely Hearts"?

[Bob]

MB, my friend, I do hear the slight cop of "Owner of a Lonely Heart." Led Zeppelin's "presence" album was released about two months before black sabbath began recording the "Technical Ecstasy" album. Whether that was enough time for Sabbath to write a song to cop the Zeppelin riff is up for speculation that I don't have the strength at this time of the morning to muster. :) "Back Street Kid" is in more of the same tempo as "Barracuda" which is why I connected those two songs, instead of with the Zep tune.

[Metalboy!]

It's quite possible Page & the boys nicked the riff of "Backstreet Boys" as, lest we forget, the bands were closer than many realize, with John Bonham serving as Tony Iommi's Best Man at the latter's wedding.

Interestingly, as I've mentioned here before, "Technical Ecstasy" is my favorite Black Sabbath album and often thought to be unlistenable by Sabbath purists, hahaha!!!

[Him]

Yet again, Metalboy!, you amaze me. I, too, enjoy _Technical Ecstasy_ and count myself as a die hard-ish fan. Then again, I also enjoy _Born Again_ and some of the material Martin singing.

Purists? They must be crying in their closets right now, mourning Ward's turn to "Stick Art" and pining for the days of Earth (the band, not the planet). As of late, sad to say, it would be better to have Neil sing every third word than listen to Osborne sing every word, in front of and behind and below and above the bass lines and guitar licks. _13_ is, however, a great album . . . regardless of what Rubin-haters have to say.

[Jakki Steal]

Sounds like vintage Ratt to me. I don't hear any other song in this song. I don't get why everybody thinks it sounds like some other song. I would love to have this song on CD.

[fletch]

hey steve: I tried to help you out, but I guess the management at BBG decided to remove my post. I'll get back to you.

[dj]

fuckin kick ass!!!!