What makes Dr. Feelgood by Mötley Crüe notable?

Dr. Feelgood debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and was certified quadruple platinum by the RIAA, solidifying Mötley Crüe's status in glam metal. The title track became one of their most recognizable songs, encapsulating the excesses of the era and influencing countless hard rock bands that followed. Released on August 28, 1989, Dr. Feelgood marked Mötley Crüe's fifth studio album and their commercial peak, following the success of Girls, Girls, Girls. The album came after a tumultuous period for the band, including lineup changes and struggles with substance abuse, showcasing a more polished and commercially viable sound as they approached the zenith of their fame.

How many songs are on Dr. Feelgood?

Dr. Feelgood has 2 tracks, running approximately 8 minutes.

Dr. Feelgood

Mötley Crüe · 1989

8 min · 2 tracks · hard rock

A swaggering blend of hard rock riffs and glam influences, dripping with the hedonism of late '80s rock culture.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Dr. Feelgood — The title track embodies the band's signature sound with a catchy chorus and powerful guitar riffs, becoming an anthem of rock debauchery.
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Sticky Sweet — With its infectious groove and playful lyrics, this track exemplifies the album's blend of sleaze and melodic hooks that defined Mötley Crüe's style.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

64 /100

Treeline

Higher than 79% of albums we've rated

The album captures the glam metal sound with polished production and memorable hooks, reflecting its era well.

What we noticed

The album opens with a high-energy track that sets a fast pace, maintaining mid to high tempos throughout the first half.
Several tracks feature prominent guitar solos that are central to their structure, often following the chorus.
The lyrics frequently focus on themes of hedonism and excess, matching the glam rock aesthetic of the late '80s.
The final track shifts to a slower tempo, providing a contrast to the preceding high-octane songs.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 8/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 7/10

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Breakthrough — This album solidified Mötley Crüe's status in mainstream rock during the late '80s.
Themes: rock debauchery· L.A. nightlife· substance-fueled excess
Career context: Released on August 28, 1989, Dr. Feelgood marked Mötley Crüe's fifth studio album and their commercial peak, following the success of Girls, Girls, Girls. The album came after a tumultuous period for the band, including lineup changes and struggles with substance abuse, showcasing a more polished and commercially viable sound as they approached the zenith of their fame.
Stylistic neighbors: Poison· Guns N' Roses· Def Leppard