Alice Cooper: From The Inside Album (1978)

A Sanitarium Rock Opera

Alice Cooper’s album From The Inside was released in the UK on November 17, 1978, on Warner Bros. Records (catalogue: K 56577 UK). This concept album chronicles Cooper’s real-life stay in a New York sanitarium battling alcoholism — every character based on actual fellow patients he met. Co-written with Bernie Taupin (lyrics) and Dick Wagner (music), it features three longtime Elton John associates: Taupin, guitarist Davey Johnstone, and bassist Dee Murray. Produced by David Foster, recorded across six LA studios. Iconic die-cut triptych “asylum door” gatefold opens to reveal a padded cell with Cooper in a straitjacket (“In memory of Moonie” – a tribute to Keith Moon) and inmates stampeding free. The lead single “How You Gonna See Me Now” hit No. 12 US Hot 100. Peaked at No. 60 US, No. 68 UK. Adapted into Marvel Premiere #50 comic. A dark, melodic triumph.

Album Overview

Label: Warner Bros. Records.

Formats: Vinyl LP (die-cut triptych gatefold worldwide), cassette, 8-track cartridge.

℗ & ©: 1978 Warner Bros. Records Inc.

Recorded at Sound City, Davlen, Cherokee, Hollywood Sound, Kendun, Studio 55.

Length: 39:08

Release Formats and Track Listings

Vinyl Album (K 56577) – UK

(1978)

Side A

1. From The Inside

2. Wish I Were Born In Beverly Hills

3. The Quiet Room

4. Nurse Rozetta

5. Millie And Billie

Side B

1. Serious

2. How You Gonna See Me Now

3. For Veronica's Sake

4. Jacknife Johnny

5. Inmates (We're All Crazy)

Cassette Album (K456577 / K 456577) – UK

(1978)

Side A

1. From The Inside

2. Wish I Were Born In Beverly Hills

3. The Quiet Room

4. Nurse Rozetta

5. Millie And Billie

Side B

1. Serious

2. How You Gonna See Me Now

3. For Veronica's Sake

4. Jacknife Johnny

5. Inmates (We're All Crazy)

8-Track Cartridge (M8 3263) – US

(1978)

Program A

1. From The Inside

2. The Quiet Room

3. For Veronica's Sake (Beg.)

Program B

1. For Veronica's Sake (Concl.)

2. Nurse Rozetta

3. How You Gonna See Me Now

Program C

1. Millie And Billie

2. Wish I Were Born In Beverly Hills

3. Jacknife Johnny (Beg.)

Program D

1. Jacknife Johnny (Concl.)

2. Serious

3. Inmates (We're All Crazy)

Global Variants (1978))

Cassette releases

Warner Bros. M5W 3263 – Australia – 1978

Warner Bros. M5-3263 – Canada – 1978

Warner Bros. 456 577 / 4-565 77 – Europe – 1978

Warner Bros. 456 577 / 4-565 77 SE – France – 1978

Warner Bros. C 90.092 – Spain – 1978

Warner Bros. K456577 / K 456577 – UK – 1978

Warner Bros. M5 3263 – US – 1978

Warner Bros. M5 3263 – US – 1978

8-Track Cartridge releases 1978

Album – Warner Bros. M8 3263 – US – 1978

Club Edition – Warner Bros. M8 3263 – US – 1978

Album, White – Warner Bros. M8 3263 – US – 1978

Album, Stereo – Warner Bros. M8 3263 – Canada – 1978

Vinyl releases (selected major)

Warner Bros. BSK 3263 – Australia – 1978

Warner Bros. WB 56 577 / BSK 3263 – Austria/Belgium – 1978

Warner Bros. 36.100 – Brazil – 1978

Warner Bros. BSK 3263 – Canada – 1978

Warner Bros. K 56577 / BSK 3263 / WB 56 577 – Europe – 1978

Warner Bros. 56577 – France – 1978

Warner Bros. BSK 3263 / WB 56 577 – Germany – 1978

Warner Bros. W 56577 – Italy – 1978

Warner Bros. P-10611W – Japan – 1978

Gamma GWEA-5321 – Mexico – 1978

Warner Bros. WB 56 577 / BSK 3263 – Netherlands – 1978

Warner Bros. BSK 3263 – New Zealand – 1978

Warner Bros. S 90.092 – Spain – 1978

Warner Bros. K 56577 / BSK 3263 – UK – 1978

Warner Bros. BSK 3263 (various pressings) – US – 1978

Production and Context

Produced by David Foster. All songs Cooper/Taupin + Wagner/Foster/Lukather/Roberts. Guests: Toto (Lukather, Hungate), Rick Nielsen, Davey Johnstone, Flo & Eddie, Kiki Dee. Die-cut triptych gatefold with asylum cell interior (Pacific Eye & Ear design) and hidden “In memory of Moonie” tribute to Keith Moon.

Singles Released and Chart Performance

How You Gonna See Me Now (Oct 1978) – US No. 12, UK No. 61

From The Inside (Jan 1979)

Album Chart Performance

USA (Billboard 200): 60

UK: 68

Legacy and Collectibility

From The Inside is Alice Cooper’s raw, autobiographical rock opera — adapted into Marvel Premiere #50 comic. Original die-cut triptych vinyls fetch £20–£80 on eBay/Discogs (mint with intact doors £100+), UK cassettes £8–£20, US 8-tracks £15–£40. Verify catalogue K 56577 (UK vinyl) / K456577 (UK cassette) / M8 3263 (US 8-track) / BSK 3263 (US vinyl).

Streams on Spotify preserve the theatrical drama. This LP is a must-have for theatrical rock and ‘70s Cooper collectors.

Do you have From The Inside in your vinyl stack? Are you an inmate too? Share in the comments!

Sources

Information is drawn from my personal knowledge and supplemented by web sources, including Discogs, 45cat, AllMusic, Rate Your Music, Wikipedia, BBC Official Charts Company, Billboard Chart History and YouTube.