"Kickstart My Heart" is a song by American heavy metal band Mötley Crüe, originally released on their 1989 album, Dr. Feelgood. Released as the album's second single in 1989, "Kickstart My Heart" reached number 27 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the United States in early 1990.
Background Mötley Crüe bassist Nikki Sixx wrote "Kickstart My Heart" on acoustic guitar during the Dr. Feelgood sessions. When the group's former manager read the lyric, he encouraged a reluctant Sixx to share it with the band and the track came together quickly.
The song's title refers an incident where a paramedic was said to have injected Sixx's heart with adrenaline to revive him after a drug overdose. Guns N' Roses drummer Steven Adler claimed the incident involved no injection, instead consisting of him dragging Sixx into a cold shower before paramedics arrived and performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
Music video The music video was filmed live at the Whisky a Go Go on October 5, 1989, during a warmup gig for Dr. Feelgood tour, where the band was billed as the Foreskins. Comedian Sam Kinison cameos as the limousine driver dropping the band off at the club.
Personnel Personnel per the Dr. Feelgood CD booklet.
Mötley Crüe Vince Neil – lead and backing vocals Mick Mars – guitars Nikki Sixx – bass Tommy Lee – drums, percussion, backing vocals
Additional musicians Mark LeFrance – backing vocals David Steele – backing vocals Emi Canyn – backing vocals Donna McDaniel – backing vocals
Charts Chart (1989–1990) PeakpositionCanada Top Singles (RPM)51
Chart (2019) Peakposition Canada Hot Canadian Digital Song Sales 15 Sweden Heatseeker (Sverigetopplistan)6
Chart (2026) Peakposition Sweden Heatseeker (Sverigetopplistan) 3
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