Alice Cooper’s ‘School’s Out’ is presented as the defining rock hit of summer 1972, turning the anticipation of the final moments of the school term into a widely recognisable anthem. Its success mattered because it brought the band’s theatrical, rebellious shock-rock style into the British mainstream and helped make Cooper a major international figure.

Released in 1972, the song combined a forceful guitar riff with lyrics celebrating freedom from school, drawing on a feeling familiar to young listeners. It reached number one in the UK for three weeks, while the accompanying album performed strongly in the United States; the song’s provocative image and controversy also added to its public attention and enduring reputation.