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Release Date: April 1972
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Album: School’s Out
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Genre: Hard Rock / Shock Rock
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Band Context: By the early ‘70s, Alice Cooper had already made a name for himself as rock’s ultimate villain on stage. With School’s Out, he and the band went from being a theatrical curiosity to international rock stars. The single became their anthem and helped cement Alice’s reputation as the master of mixing rebellious rock with outrageous stage shows.
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The Song: Alice said the song was about the “last three minutes of the last day of school — when you’re sitting there, waiting for that final bell to ring.” The lyrics tap into every kid’s fantasy: freedom from rules, teachers, and homework.
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Impact: The single hit #7 in the U.S. and went all the way to #1 in the U.K., making it the band’s biggest international success. It’s been a summer anthem for generations and still blasts out every year when school ends.
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Most Famous Line: “School’s out for summer!” — instantly recognizable and shouted by anyone who ever hated finals.
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Legacy: The song isn’t just a hit, it’s become part of pop culture. From movie soundtracks (Dazed and Confused, Scream 2) to sports events, “School’s Out” has lasted because it captures that universal moment of pure freedom. Even today, Alice Cooper often closes his shows with it, complete with balloons, confetti, and total chaos on stage.