“Smoking in the Boys Room� is a classic rock song originally performed by Brownsville Station, an American rock band from Ann Arbor, Michigan. Written by band members Cub Koda and Michael Lutz, the song was released in 1973 and became a top-10 hit on the Billboard Hot 100. This article breaks down the original artist, the song’s history, and answers common questions about its many covers and cultural impact.
Ingredients
- 1 original 1973 single by Brownsville Station (or any streaming service)
- 1 pair of headphones or speakers
- Optional: 1 cup of coffee or your favorite beverage
Instructions
- Locate the original recording: Search for “Smoking in the Boys Room� by Brownsville Station on your preferred music platform. The original 1973 version is the one with the iconic guitar riff and raw, garage-rock sound.
- Press play and listen to the full track (about 3 minutes 30 seconds). Note the lyrics about a student getting caught smoking in the school restroom, a theme that resonated with rebellious youth of the era.
- If you want to compare, listen to the 1985 cover by Mötley Crüe, which brought the song to a new generation. The Crüe version is faster and heavier, but the original remains the definitive version.
- Enjoy the song! For a deeper dive, read the lyrics online or check out Brownsville Station’s album “Yeah!� (1973) which contains the track.
Tips
- If you’re looking for the original artist, be careful not to confuse it with the Mötley Crüe cover, which is often more popular on streaming platforms. Check the album art and year (1973) to ensure you’re listening to Brownsville Station.
- The song’s title is sometimes misspelled as “Smokin’ in the Boys Room.� The correct spelling is “Smoking� on the original single, though the apostrophe is often used informally.
- Brownsville Station’s version was produced by Doug Morris and released on Big Tree Records. It peaked at #3 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1974.
- If you want to hear the song live, look for recordings from Brownsville Station’s concerts in the 1970s; they often extended the song with guitar solos.
Serving Suggestions
This song is best enjoyed as a standalone listening experience, but it also works well in a playlist of 1970s rock classics. Pair it with other hits from the era like “School’s Out� by Alice Cooper or “Rock and Roll All Nite� by Kiss for a nostalgic trip.
Variations
While the original is a straightforward rock song, there are notable variations:
- Mötley Crüe cover (1985): A faster, heavier version with a music video that received heavy MTV rotation. It reached #7 on the Billboard Hot 100.
- Live versions: Brownsville Station performed the song with extended solos and crowd interaction, as heard on live albums.
- Acoustic interpretation: Some artists have done acoustic covers, stripping down the song to its basic chords and lyrics, showing its songwriting strength.
Storage and Reheating
Since this is a song, not a food dish, there is no storage or reheating involved. However, you can “store� the song in your music library or playlist for repeated listening. To “reheat,� simply play it again whenever you need a dose of classic rock energy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who originally sang “Smoking in the Boys Room�? Brownsville Station, an American rock band, originally recorded and released the song in 1973. It was written by band members Cub Koda and Michael Lutz.
What is the song about? The lyrics tell the story of a student who gets caught smoking in the school bathroom and faces detention. It’s a classic tale of teenage rebellion and the consequences of breaking rules.
Why is the Mötley Crüe version more famous? Mötley Crüe’s 1985 cover was a major hit on MTV and introduced the song to a new generation of rock fans. Because of its music video and the band’s popularity, many people first heard the song through that version, but the original is still the definitive recording.
Did Brownsville Station have other hits? They had a few minor hits, but “Smoking in the Boys Room� was their biggest success. They released several albums throughout the 1970s, but none matched the commercial success of this single.
Is the song based on a true story? Cub Koda said in interviews that it was inspired by his own experiences in school, though it’s a fictionalized account. The song’s relatability made it a hit with teenagers of the time.
What genre is the song? It’s generally classified as hard rock or garage rock, with a raw, straightforward sound typical of early 1970s rock. It has a driving guitar riff and a simple, catchy chorus.
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