"Too Fast for Love" is the debut studio album by American heavy metal band Mötley Crüe, initially released on November 10, 1981, by the band’s original label, Leathür Records. The album was a raw and energetic introduction to the band’s sound, setting the stage for their future success. Only 900 copies of the original Leathür version were pressed, and it was soon followed by a re-release in 1982 after the band signed with Elektra Records. This re-release featured a remixed version of the album, with some tracks re-recorded and a different track listing, becoming the standard version of the album. The re-release also removed the song "Stick to Your Guns," although it was later included as a bonus track on subsequent versions. The original mix, which was never released on CD, was included in the 2002 Music to Crash Your Car To: Vol. 1 box set.
Although the album initially did not chart highly, only reaching No. 77 on the Billboard 200, Too Fast for Love ultimately achieved platinum status, thanks to the band's growing popularity and the album's enduring influence on the heavy metal scene. The songs "Stick to Your Guns" and "Live Wire" were released as singles from the album. The album cover pays homage to The Rolling Stones’ 1971 album Sticky Fingers, with a similar design featuring a close-up image of the band.
The album was recorded in October 1981, shortly after the band had started playing shows at the Starwood nightclub in Los Angeles. The band recorded for several days at Hit City West, a small Hollywood studio with engineer Avi Kipper.
The original Leathür Records pressing had three different vinyl versions, all of which featured unique artwork and packaging. The first pressing had white lettering on the cover, while the second pressing featured red lettering and a different photo insert. The third pressing had red lettering and a black label with white lettering.
In August 1982, the album was remixed under the supervision of producer Roy Thomas Baker and re-released by Elektra Records. The Elektra version had a different track order, omitted the song "Stick to Your Guns," and featured a re-recorded version of "Come On and Dance" that was shorter than the original. The first Elektra release in Canada was not the remixed version but the original Leathür version with an Elektra label, including "Stick to Your Guns," as Elektra wanted to release the album before the band’s Canadian tour. When the remixed version was completed, it was distributed worldwide, including in Canada.
In 1996, after Mötley Crüe parted ways with Elektra, the band formed their own label, Mötley Records, and re-released their albums, including a 2002 version of Too Fast for Love. This version added the original Leathür mix of "Too Fast for Love," along with "Stick to Your Guns" (which had been omitted from the Elektra version), "Toast of the Town" (a B-side from the "Stick to Your Guns" single), a cover of The Raspberries' "Tonight," and a live version of "Merry-Go-Round."
Too Fast for Love remains a landmark album in the history of heavy metal, capturing Mötley Crüe’s raw energy and rebellious spirit at the beginning of their career.
