Back to Mystery City

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Back to Mystery City is the third studio album by the Finnish rock band Hanoi Rocks, released in 1983. It was produced by ex-Mott the Hoople members Dale Griffin and Pete "Overend" Watts, and was the first to actually feature Razzle's drumming. Besides Hanoi Rocks, the album also features keyboardist Morgan Fisher, and Miriam Stockley on backing vocals, who had also sung with Pink Floyd.

The cover was shot by Fin Costello, and the albums look was designed by Hillary Goodwright.

The album reached #87 on the UK album chart.

Song information

"Strange Boys Play Weird Openings"

An acoustic intro that Andy McCoy came-up with in the studio.

"Malibu Beach Nightmare"

McCoy wrote song at home while smoking hashish. The song was originally recorded in 1981 as a calypso version titled "Malibu Nightmare". This version was just made as a joke but it was re-recorded for this album, as a more serious rock song. The song was also released as a single.

"Mental Beat"

The song is about speed, and was inspired by Michael Monroe wild behavior as a child. This was also the only song that (according to Pete Watts) drummer Razzle had a hard time recording.

"Tooting Bec Wreck"

This song was inspired by a London apartment full of rats, in Tooting Bec, where Hanoi Rocks lived.

"Until I Get You"

Andy McCoy wrote this song at the band's manager Seppo Vesterinen's house in Helsinki. McCoy hated the song but Razzle loved it, and wanted it on their next record. Ultimately, McCoy also fell in love with the song. The song is also a great example of Hanoi Rocks' melodic glam rock-style. Also, the arrangement for the song was inspired by Alice Cooper's "I'm Eighteen". L.A. Guns covered the song on their 2004 album Rips the Covers Off.

"Sailing Down the Tears"

Written in 10 minutes, but the band still loved the song. The song was written as a mid-tempo, standard 70's rock-, pop-song.

"Lick Summer Love"

This song sparked some controversy when it was released. McCoy wrote the song when he was 17-years old. The song deals with making love and having oral sex with his girlfriend. Monroe has since said that he thinks the song is an "awful slime-ball", and that he hated the lyrics.

"Beating Gets Faster"

A love-song written by Monroe and McCoy.

"Ice Cream Summer"

A song dealing with a summer romance.

"Back to Mystery City"

At the time of its release, the song was very popular, but it has since been overshadowed by the many other Hanoi Rocks' hits. Andy McCoy wrote the song about Hanoi Rocks' adventures in the Far-East, the bands fans and the buzz that was also surrounding the band in 1983. The song is also composed in the same style as Tommy James and the Shondells' song "Mony Mony". The song's title was inspired by the London club Mystery City.

Track listing

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
1.	"Strange Boys Play Weird Openings"	Andy McCoy	0:42
2.	"Malibu Beach Nightmare"	Andy McCoy	2:46
3.	"Mental Beat"	Andy McCoy	5:04
4.	"Tooting Bec Wreck"	Andy McCoy	6:11
5.	"Until I Get You"	Andy McCoy	4:37
6.	"Sailing Down the Tears"	Andy McCoy	4:09
7.	"Lick Summer Love"	Andy McCoy	4:21
8.	"Beating Gets Faster"	Andy McCoy, Michael Monroe	3:51
9.	"Ice Cream Summer"	Andy McCoy	5:11
10.	"Back to Mystery City"	Andy McCoy	5:02

Personnel

• Michael Monroe – lead vocals, saxophone, harmonica
• Andy McCoy – lead guitar
• Nasty Suicide – rhythm guitar
• Sam Yaffa – bass
• Razzle – drums

Additional personnel

• Morgan Fisher - Keyboards
• Miriam Stockley - Background vocals

Production

Production personnel

• Producers: Dave Griffin and Pete "Overend" Watts
• Engineer: Andy Lyden
• Arrangers: Michael Monroe and Andy McCoy

Other personnel

• Cover photo: Fin Costello
• Layout: Hilary Goodwright

Remastering personnel

• Digitally remastered: Mika Jussila
• Reissue sleeve and booklet: Jari Mattila

Chart position

Year	Chart	Peak
1983	UK Albums Chart	87