Synopsis

Mötley Crüe perform inside a surreal, nightmarish world dominated by a gigantic female figure who resembles a living doll. The band members appear as tiny, menacing figures moving through her clothing and surroundings while the imagery shifts between grotesque close-ups, dark theatrical sets, and disorienting fantasy tableaux. As the woman reacts with fear and unease, the video turns the song's relationship anxiety into exaggerated body-horror imagery. Hustler publisher Larry Flynt appears near the climax, adding another deliberately provocative twist to the video's bizarre visual design.

Factoids & Trivia

• The video was filmed in May 1997 and first aired on June 9, 1997.

• Hustler publisher Larry Flynt appears in the video. His involvement tied the clip to the band's promotional relationship with Hustler, which also placed Mötley Crüe on the magazine's cover that year.

• "Afraid" was the lead single from Generation Swine, the band's first album after Vince Neil rejoined the group. It was also the first single with Neil on lead vocals since the band's 1991 cover of "Anarchy in the U.K."

• Nikki Sixx wrote the song about the early stages of his relationship with Donna D'Errico. The lyrics reflect his impression that she was retreating from emotional intimacy.

• The song reached No. 10 on the US Mainstream Rock chart and No. 1 on the UK Rock chart.

• The video reflects Generation Swine's mid-1990s shift toward a darker, more industrial visual and musical identity, rather than simply recreating the band's flamboyant 1980s style.