Scorpions - World Wide Live
- FaceOff - עימות חזיתי
- Jun 20
- 3 min read
On June 20, 1985, “Scorpions” released their second live album, “World Wide Live”.
The album arrived during a peak in “Scorpions”’ global success, following the huge impact of their ninth studio album, “Love at First Sting”, which featured timeless tracks like “Rock You Like a Hurricane” and “Still Loving You”.
With their arena-filling power now unquestionable, the band set out on a world tour—and “World Wide Live” captured that triumphant moment in real time.
Recorded across several cities—Paris, Los Angeles, San Diego, Costa Mesa, and Cologne—the album brings together the band’s finest performances from their 1984–1985 tour. Produced by long-time collaborator Dieter Dierks, it’s a sonic document of a group at their peak, commanding the stage with energy, precision, and charisma.
Side One kicks off with the atmospheric “Countdown”, a short but effective opener that sets the stage for what’s to come. It leads straight into “Coming Home”, originally from “Love at First Sting” (1984), a track that explodes into an all-out riff assault. Klaus Meine's vocals soar effortlessly, while Rudolf Schenker and Matthias Jabs deliver sharp, melodic, and electrifying guitar work.
That momentum continues with the fierce “Blackout”, taken from the 1982 album of the same name, where Klaus Meine’s commanding vocals cut through the roar of guitars. “Bad Boys Running Wild”, also from “Love at First Sting”, keeps the energy pulsing with its tight rhythm and defiant swagger. The set then reaches back to the band’s late ’70s roots with “Loving You Sunday Morning” from “Lovedrive” (1979) and the powerful “Make It Real” from “Animal Magnetism” (1980), both proving that even older cuts have aged like fire.
Side Two opens with the infectious “Big City Nights”, one of the defining anthems of the band’s golden era. From there, the instrumental “Coast to Coast” offers a mid-set cool-down, showcasing the melodic interplay between Rudolf Schenker and Matthias Jabs. with “Holiday” the band goes acoustic end you can hear the crowd roar as as a second mighty voice for Klaus Meine. This gentle atmosphere continues with the mega-hit ballad “Still Loving You”. Emotionally charged and vocally flawless, it retains its reputation as one of rock’s greatest power ballads, amplified here by the passion of a live crowd.
Side Three opens with a juggernaut: “Rock You Like a Hurricane”, a career-defining hit that tears through the speakers with stadium-sized force. “Can’t Live Without You” from “Blackout” keeps the pace relentless, while “Another Piece of Meat” delivers a sleazy groove straight from “Lovedrive”. Rarebell’s drumming hits harder, the riffs are more aggressive, and the audience’s energy bleeds into every beat. Then comes “Dynamite”, a wild, extended romp that closes the side with over seven minutes of unhinged, high-octane rock.
Side Four starts with “The Zoo”, originally from “Animal Magnetism”, featuring that unmistakable, slow-burning riff and sleazy urban swagger. Then comes “No One Like You”, from “Blackout”, with its perfect fusion of melody and metal. The finale includes the energetic “Can’t Get Enough” (in two parts) from “Lovedrive”, broken up by a blistering solo spotlight: “Six String Sting”, where Jabs delivers a ferocious guitar clinic that leaves nothing on the table.
“World Wide Live” doesn’t feel like a collage of separate shows—it’s cohesive, powerful, and fluid. it’s a masterclass in live performance and rock showmanship. By blending their biggest hits with deep cuts and giving each track new life on stage, “Scorpions” delivered one of the greatest live albums in hard rock history.
for listening: Spotify, Apple Music
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