Child Called "It"

Album: Black Butterfly (2008)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This was inspired by Dave Pelzer's 1995 memoir of horrific child abuse A Child Called "It". Todd explained on Buckcherry's record label's website: "There were times when I had to put the book down because the abuse of this boy was so bad, but I felt like the book found me… I was compelled to write this song out of inspiration from this guy's incredible journey."
  • Guitarist Keith Nelson told Dayton's student newspaper Flyer News: "We don't usually make music or have songs [about controversial topics] - you know, we're the party band, we want to host the party, we don't usually tackle something like child abuse, but it seemed appropriate and the song came out great."
  • Another track on Black Butterfly, the redemptive "Rescue Me," was also inspired by A Child Called "It".

Comments: 1

  • D from Waterloo, Iathis is a great song by a great band. it's also got a sad message and inspirational.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Harry Shearer

Harry ShearerSongwriter Interviews

Harry is Derek Smalls in Spinal Tap, Mark Shubb in The Folksmen, and Mr. Burns on The Simpsons.

Glen Burtnik

Glen BurtnikSongwriter Interviews

On Glen's résumé: hit songwriter, Facebook dominator, and member of Styx.

Creedence Clearwater Revival

Creedence Clearwater RevivalFact or Fiction

Is "Have You Ever Seen the Rain" about Vietnam? Was John Fogerty really born on a Bayou? It's the CCR edition of Fact or Fiction.

We Will Rock You (To Sleep): Pop Stars Who Recorded Kids' Albums

We Will Rock You (To Sleep): Pop Stars Who Recorded Kids' AlbumsSong Writing

With the rise of Kindie rock, more musicians are embracing their inner child with tunes for tots - here, we look at pop stars who recorded kids' albums.

Phil Hurtt ("I'll Be Around")

Phil Hurtt ("I'll Be Around")Songwriter Interviews

Phil was a songwriter, producer and voice behind many Philadelphia soul classics. When disco hit, he got an interesting project: The Village People.

Graham Bonnet (Alcatrazz, Rainbow)

Graham Bonnet (Alcatrazz, Rainbow)Songwriter Interviews

Yngwie Malmsteen and Steve Vai were two of Graham's co-writers for some '80s rock classics.