"Lovedrive" is the sixth studio album by German rock band Scorpions, released in February 1979. It was a milestone in the Scorpions' discography due to its inclusion of more melodic elements than previous releases and marked the definitive breakthrough of the band's international career.
In the background and context of the album, the recording period of "Lovedrive" was marked by several significant events. The band's line-up included the return of lead guitarist Michael Schenker, previously of UFO. His comeback gave the group the chance to create a dual lead guitar team, cooperating with his younger brother Rudolf. But Michael left again during the supporting tour, leading Matthias Jabs to become the new permanent member.
The album is often considered one of the greatest works by Scorpions. Ranging from hard rock to ballads, it displays an array of diverse tracks, including the powerful title track "Lovedrive," the rhythmically pounding "Another Piece of Meat," and the melodic "Holiday." The album artwork, depicting a bubblegum bubble spilling over a woman's breast, was created by the renowned British artist Storm Thorgerson who has designed iconic album covers for many prominent bands.
"Lovedrive" achieved commercial success especially in the United States where it attained the gold status. Besides, it also received critical acclaim and has been mentioned in the list of "200 Greatest Heavy Metal Albums of All Time" by Rolling Stone.
