During the peak of the 1980s glam metal era, Cinderella stood out by doing more than simply releasing hit songs. The band told a story. Across three official music videos, Cinderella reimagined the classic fairy tale through the world of rock concerts, backstage access, and full-blown hair-metal excess.
Directed by Mark Rezyka, the trilogy follows a young woman trapped under the control of her obsessive, over-the-top stepsisters, only to escape into the fantasy of a Cinderella concert. While the band released many notable tracks during this period, these three videos form a deliberate, connected narrative that remains one of the most memorable visual storylines of the MTV era.
History of Cinderella
Cinderella formed in Philadelphia in 1982, quickly rising as one of the standout bands of the 1980s glam metal scene. Fronted by Tom Keifer, the band became known for raspy vocals, blues-infused guitar riffs, and high-energy live performances that captivated audiences nationwide.
Their debut album, Night Songs (1986), launched them into mainstream success. Peaking at #3 on the U.S. charts and going triple platinum, it produced hits like Shake Me, Nobody’s Fool, and Somebody Save Me, aided by heavy MTV rotation and the band’s unusually cohesive approach to storytelling across their music videos. The album’s mix of hard rock grit and glam-metal style set Cinderella apart from other hair-metal acts and built a loyal fanbase that still celebrates their music today.
Cinderella’s Official Music Video Trilogy
Act I – Shake Me (1986)
The story begins with a young woman stuck at home, forced to handle chores while her stepsisters mock her and rush off to see Cinderella live in concert. Left behind, she dreams of escape while staring at a poster of the band hanging on her bedroom wall.
In true fairy-tale fashion, the poster magically comes to life. She’s transformed from her plain outfit into a confident, leather-clad rocker and transported directly to the concert. During the performance, she catches the attention of lead singer Tom Keifer, while her stepsisters are left outside, frustrated and unable to get backstage.
Act II – Nobody’s Fool (1986)
Picking up immediately where Shake Me ends, the second chapter follows the girl as she joins Cinderella at their rehearsal space. Meanwhile, her relentless stepsisters chase after them in a limousine, still determined to insert themselves into the rock-star lifestyle.
Just like the original fairy tale, the magic comes with a deadline. When midnight strikes, her rocker transformation fades and she’s returned to her simple white dress. The video closes with a modern twist on the glass-slipper moment as she later meets the band for an autograph. Tom Keifer’s look of recognition suggests he remembers her from that unforgettable night.
Act III – Somebody Save Me (1987)
Often viewed as a standalone clip, Somebody Save Me works as the final chapter in Cinderella’s early visual storyline. This installment leans heavily into comedy, showing the band dealing with exaggerated rock-star mishaps and chaotic situations.
The video is especially remembered for its celebrity cameos, featuring Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora. In the closing scene, the stepsisters from the earlier videos reappear — only this time they completely abandon their pursuit of Cinderella and immediately chase after Bon Jovi instead, bringing the trilogy to a humorous and fitting conclusion.
Beyond the Video Trilogy: The Night Songs Tracks
While the three videos above tell a complete story, they only represent part of Cinderella’s impact during the 1980s. Outside of the fairy-tale narrative, the band delivered a catalog packed with hard-hitting anthems, blues-influenced riffs, and powerful live performances that helped define their sound.
Below are additional Cinderella Night Songs tracks that showcase the band’s range and raw energy.
Night Songs (LIVE)
Night Songs erupts with gritty riffs and Tom Keifer’s signature raspy vocals—one of Cinderella’s most iconic tracks.
The title track from Cinderella’s debut album, Night Songs, comes alive in a live setting, showcasing the band’s gritty edge. As the opener to an album that helped define mid-80s glam metal, the song balances blues-inspired riffs with arena-ready hooks, establishing the tone for Cinderella’s sound. Its heavy rotation on MTV and in concert made it a fan favorite and a defining anthem of the era, highlighting the band’s blend of classic rock sensibilities with hair-metal flamboyance.
Nothin’ for Nothin’ (LIVE)
High-energy and aggressive, Nothin’ for Nothin’ captures Cinderella’s unapologetic hard-rock attitude.
This live version of Nothin’ for Nothin’ demonstrates the band’s ability to deliver intense, fast-paced rock without losing musical precision. With gritty guitar riffs, thunderous drums, and Keifer’s commanding vocals, it reflects the band’s blues roots while maintaining arena-ready power, giving fans a glimpse of Cinderella’s stage presence and technical skill during the height of the glam metal era.
Push Push (LIVE)
Push Push is a crowd-pleaser that shows Cinderella at the height of their live performance energy.
Known for its driving rhythm and catchy hooks, Push Push in concert demonstrates Cinderella’s tight musicianship and ability to engage audiences. The song’s high-octane energy and blues-infused guitar work made it a standout in their live shows, reinforcing the band’s reputation as both a recording and touring powerhouse in the mid-80s glam metal scene.
Hell on Wheels
Hell on Wheels delivers relentless speed and attitude, a perfect example of Cinderella’s hard-rock prowess.
This track showcases the band’s ability to fuse bluesy riffs with fast-paced, high-energy glam metal. While it may not have been accompanied by a narrative video, it became a staple of their live performances, illustrating the raw edge that distinguished Cinderella from many of their 80s peers.
Once Around the Ride (LIVE)
Once Around the Ride combines melody and storytelling, reflecting Cinderella’s evolution as a band.
Released later in their catalog, this song demonstrates the band’s growth beyond straightforward glam metal. Its composition blends narrative lyrics with strong musicianship, showing that Cinderella could balance commercial appeal with artistic development, bridging the gap between hair metal theatrics and more mature rock sensibilities.
Why Cinderella Still Stands Out
Cinderella’s ability to combine storytelling, humor, and raw rock energy helped them stand apart from many of their glam metal peers. Whether through a connected music-video trilogy or blistering live performances, the band consistently delivered personality along with power.
Decades later, these songs and videos still resonate with classic rock fans, serving as a reminder that Cinderella wasn’t just part of the scene — they helped define it.
Check out Cinderella’s Official YouTube Channel for classic videos, live performances, and behind-the-scenes content.
Related Video Storytelling in Classic Rock
Just as Cinderella crafted a narrative across Shake Me, Nobody’s Fool, and Somebody Save Me, ZZ Top also used recurring visual storytelling in their early 80s videos. The band’s iconic Eliminator car appears in a connected series of music videos — Gimme All Your Lovin’, Sharp Dressed Man, and Legs — that helped define their MTV-era persona and crossover success. Check out our deep dive into ZZ Top’s video history and legendary career in The Best of ZZ Top: Exploring the Legendary Texas Trio.