Alice Cooper (July 11 1973) — Billion Dollar Babies Single 7" USA

Jul 11, 1973

3 min read

Artist: Alice Cooper Group Label: Warner Bros. Records Country: USA

Catalogue: WB 7724

Release Date: July 11 1973

Type: Vinyl Record

Format: 7" Single

TRACK LISTING

A: Billion Dollar Babies

Composer: A. Cooper, M. Bruce, R. Reggie

Producers: Bob Ezrin

B: Mary Ann

Composer: M. Bruce, A. Cooper Producers: Bob Ezrin

SLEEVE & PRESSING DETAILS

Issued in company sleeve for the US market; various international releases featured picture sleeves.

“Billion Dollar Babies” includes guest vocals by Donovan.

VARIANTS

United States 1973

• Billion Dollar Babies — 7" 45 RPM Single Styrene — Warner Bros. Records WB 7724

• Billion Dollar Babies — 7" 45 RPM Single Promo Stereo/Mono — Warner Bros. Records WB 7724 (Santa Maria Pressing)

• Billion Dollar Babies — 7" 45 RPM Single — Warner Bros. Records WB 7724 (Santa Maria Pressing)

• Billion Dollar Babies — 7" 45 RPM Single Styrene — Warner Bros. Records WB 7724 (Terre Haute Pressing)

• Billion Dollar Babies — 7" 45 RPM Single Styrene Stereo — Warner Bros. Records WB 7724 (Pitman Pressing)

INTERNATIONAL

Austria 1973

• Billion Dollar Babies — 7" 45 RPM Single — Warner Bros. Records WB 16 307

Brazil 1973

• Billion Dollar Babies — 7" 33⅓ RPM Single — Warner Bros. Records WBCS‑7.055

Canada 1973

• Billion Dollar Babies / Mary Ann — 7" 45 RPM Single — Warner Bros. Records WB 7724

France 1973

• Billion Dollars Babies — 7" 45 RPM Single Stereo — Warner Bros. Records 16 307

• Billion Dollars Babies — 7" 45 RPM Single Stereo Burbank Labels — Warner Bros. Records 16 307

Germany 1973

• Billion Dollar Babies — 7" 45 RPM Single — Warner Bros. Records WB 16 307

• Billion Dollar Babies — 7" 45 RPM Single Promo — Warner Bros. Records WB 16 307

Greece 1973

• Billion Dollar Babies / Mary Ann — 7" 45 RPM Single — Warner Bros. Records 32098

Japan 1973

• Billion Dollar Babies — 7" 45 RPM Stereo — Warner Bros. Records P‑1247W

New Zealand 1973

• Billion Dollar Babies — 7" 45 RPM Single — Warner Bros. Records B.7724

• Billion Dollar Babies — 7" 45 RPM Single Reissue — Warner Bros. Records B.7724

Portugal 1973

• Billion Dollar Babies / Mary Ann — 7" 45 RPM Single — Warner Bros. Records N‑S‑63‑45

Sweden 1973

• Billion Dollar Babies — 7" 45 RPM Single — Warner Bros. Records WB 16300

• Billion Dollar Babies / Mary Ann — 7" 45 RPM Single — Warner Bros. Records WB 16300

HISTORICAL CONTEXT

Released as the fourth single from Alice Cooper’s sixth studio album Billion Dollar Babies. Recorded in 1972 and issued July 11 1973. The track features guest vocals by Donovan and reached No. 57 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and No. 30 in Germany.

COMPOSITION & RECORDING

Written by Alice Cooper, Michael Bruce, and Reggie Vinson. Produced by Bob Ezrin for Nimbus 9 Productions. Recorded at Morgan Studios, London, and the Record Plant, New York.

MUSICAL ANALYSIS Hard rock with glam and shock‑rock elements. The duet between Cooper and Donovan adds theatrical contrast, blending sinister humour with polished production.

CULTURAL REFERENCES

The song’s title and lyrics satirise fame and consumerism, reflecting the band’s fascination with excess and spectacle during their 1973 world tour.

CRITICAL RECEPTION Record World praised Ezrin’s production and predicted strong sales. Fans regard it as one of Cooper’s defining singles of the early 1970s.

CHART PERFORMANCE

US Billboard Hot 100 — Peaked at No. 57 German Singles Chart — Peaked at No. 30

LIVE PERFORMANCE LEGACY

Performed throughout the 1973 Billion Dollar Babies tour and revived in later solo tours, a fans favorite.

COMPILATION & REMASTER HISTORY Included on numerous Alice Cooper compilations and remastered editions of Billion Dollar Babies.

SINGLE CHRONOLOGY

Preceded by: No More Mr. Nice Guy (March 1973)

Followed by: Halo of Flies (Late 1973)

INFLUENCE & LEGACY

A cornerstone of Cooper’s glam‑rock era, combining theatricality with biting satire. Its success reinforced the band’s global dominance in 1973.

PERSONNEL

Alice Cooper — vocals

Steve Hunter — lead guitar

Dick Wagner — lead guitar

Michael Bruce — rhythm guitar

Dennis Dunaway — bass

Neal Smith — drums

Donovan — guest vocals

Bob Ezrin — producer

TRACK TIMINGS

A: Billion Dollar Babies — 3:00

B: Mary Ann — 2:20

SOURCES Discogs, 45 World, Wikipedia, BBC Official Charts.

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