Dokken was initially composed of founder Don Dokken on vocals Read Full BioDokken is an American hard rock / heavy metal band that was formed in 1978. Having big success in the 80s with tracks such as "Dream Warriors", "It's Not Love", "In My Dreams", and others, they sold over ten million albums worldwide yet faced internal battles over their direction. The group split up in 1989, having accumulated numerous charting singles and earned a Grammy nomination, and they've had sporadic reunions since then.
Dokken was initially composed of founder Don Dokken on vocals, George Lynch on lead guitar, Juan Croucier on bass, and Mick Brown on drums. The southern California group pursued a heavy yet melodic sound reminiscent of prior bands such as Iron Maiden and Judas Priest, finding success in the 80s hard rock and metal boom. The band recorded and released 'Breaking the Chains', their first studio album, in 1983. Though their fortunes struggled somewhat in the United States, they picked up a big popular response in Europe.
In 1984, Croucier left Dokken in order to join Ratt. He was replaced by multi-instrumentalist Jeff Pilson, who soon became a rock idol alongside Don Dokken and George Lynch. Their next several albums and singles showed them to be a powerful commercial force, particularly winning fans with their music videos (their one for "Dream Warriors" even featured the band facing off against Freddy Krueger himself). Their 1988 live album 'Beast from the East' earned them a Grammy nomination for Best Metal Performance as well. However, Don Dokken's and George Lynch's creative differences, as well as their growing personal conflicts, brought about tension and even caused the group to break-up in 1988, though they had released multi-platinum work appealing to numerous hard rockers and metalheads.
The band has faced many changes over the years since. It wasn't until 1995 that the group resurfaced and released new material, facing a rather tepid response. As time went on, only Dokken and Brown remained from the original line-up. After several personnel alterations on guitar, Dokken's former attorney Jon Levin even stepped in to fill the role in 2004. In 2009, Sean McNabb (formerly of Great White and Quiet Riot fame) took the bass guitar slot. Mark Boals (formely of Yngwie J. Malmsteen's Rising Force) then took McNabb's position in 2014.
A series of successful web commercials for Norton Internet Security 2010 put the group back in the spotlight, the comedic spots depicting the band as a malicious computer virus. Dokken's tenth studio album, titled 'Lightning Strikes Again', was released on May 13, 2008 via Rhino Records. Several critics recommended the work as a comeback to their 'classic' sound. The group's latest work is 2012's 'Broken Bones'.
Breaking the Chains
Dokken Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning | Line by Line Meaning
You feel the pressure
You're goin' crazy too
The walls around you closin' in
You need a change
Claustrophobic feeling scared
You need somebody
But no one seems to care
A one way ticket, a change of pace
You've had enough
Can't take no more
Breaking the chains around you
Nobody else can bind you
Take a good look around you
Now you're breaking the chains
Got this letter, came today
From my baby who left me yesterday
Said she loves me, she'll come back
She wants to try
I won't let her, she'll be upset
I know it's better than something I'll regret
She's been dishonest and insincere
I lost my mind twenty times a year
Breaking the chains around me
Nobody else can bind me
Take a good look around me
Now I'm breaking the chains
Woke up today, I'm alone
I look around, but baby, you were gone
But I don't mind and I don't worry
I will survive
I'm alone now that you're gone
Don't need nobody
To hold or tie me down
I broke the chains
So let me be, I've gotta be free
Breaking the chains around me
Nobody else can bind me
Take a good look around me
Now I'm breaking the chains
Breaking the chains around me
Nobody else can bind me
Take a good look around me
Now I'm breaking the chains
The song "Breaking the Chains" by Dokken is a powerful anthem about breaking free from a suffocating and unsatisfying situation. The lyrics describe feeling trapped and isolated, with walls closing in and nowhere to turn. The protagonist is desperate for change but finds that no one seems to care or offer a way out. The refrain encourages the listener to break free from the chains holding them back and take control of their life.
The second verse introduces a new layer to the theme of breaking chains, as the protagonist receives a letter from an ex-lover who wants to return to the relationship. Despite feeling tempted, the protagonist ultimately decides to stay strong and reject the offer, recognizing that the relationship was toxic and holding them back. The final verse is a triumphant declaration of independence, with the protagonist embracing their newfound freedom and refusing to be tied down any longer.
Overall, "Breaking the Chains" is a song about empowerment and taking control of one's life, rejecting toxic relationships and situations that hold us back. The lyrics remind us that it's never too late to make a change and break free from the chains that bind us.
Line by Line Meaning
Sit there thinking in your room
Feeling trapped and confined by the environment around you and the thoughts inside your head.
You feel the pressure
Suffocating under the weight of expectations, responsibilities, and the need to conform.
You're goin' crazy too
Feeling overwhelmed, stressed, and on the brink of losing control.
The walls around you closin' in
Feeling trapped and claustrophobic; unable to escape the constraints of your life and circumstances.
You need a change
Craving something different and new; seeking a way out of your current situation.
Breaking the chains around you
Breaking free from the constraints and limitations that have been holding you back.
Nobody else can bind you
Taking responsibility for your own life and decisions; refusing to be controlled by others.
Take a good look around you
Seeing things clearly for the first time, and realizing what needs to change.
Now you're breaking the chains
Finally taking action to free yourself from the things that have been holding you down.
Got this letter, came today
Receiving news or communication from someone who has recently left or betrayed you.
From my baby who left me yesterday
From someone who was once close to you, but who has now caused you pain and heartache.
Said she loves me, she'll come back
Making promises of future reconciliation, but without any certainty or real effort to change.
She wants to try
Asking for another chance, but without taking responsibility for her mistakes or acknowledging your pain.
I won't let her, she'll be upset
Realizing that giving in to someone who has hurt you will only cause more pain and disappointment.
I know it's better than something I'll regret
Making a difficult but necessary choice to prioritize your own well-being and avoid further harm.
She's been dishonest and insincere
Recognizing that the other person has been untrustworthy and has not shown genuine remorse or change.
I lost my mind twenty times a year
Suffering from the chaos and turmoil caused by the other person's behavior and leaving.
Woke up today, I'm alone
Coming to terms with the end of a relationship and the sense of isolation that sometimes comes with it.
I look around, but baby, you were gone
Feeling the absence of the other person, but also recognizing the freedom that comes with their departure.
But I don't mind and I don't worry
Realizing that being alone is preferable to being in a toxic or unhealthy relationship.
I'm alone now that you're gone
Accepting the reality of the breakup and the changes it brings to your life.
Don't need nobody
Realizing that you do not need someone else in order to be happy, fulfilled, or successful.
To hold or tie me down
Rejecting the idea that being in a relationship means sacrificing your freedom or independence.
I broke the chains
Feeling empowered and liberated by the decision to end a relationship and move on.
So let me be, I've gotta be free
Asserting your independence and need for autonomy, and refusing to be held back by anyone else.
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Don Dokken, George Lynch, Mick Brown
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Mauro Burbano
Sit there thinkin'
In your room
You feel the pressure
You're goin' crazy too
The walls around you
Closin' in
You need a change
Claustophobic
Feelin' scared
You need somebody
But no one seems to care
A one way ticket
A change of pace
You've had enough
Can't take no more
Breaking the chains around you
Nobody else can bind you
Take a good look around you
Now you're breaking the chains
Got this letter
Came today
From my baby
Who left me yesterday
Said she loves me
She'll come back
She wants to try
I won't let her
She'll be upset
I know it's better
Than somethin' I'll regret
She'd been dishonest
And insincere
I lost my mind
20 times a year
Breaking the chains around me
Nobody else can bind me
Take a good look around me
Now I'm breaking the chains
Woke up today
I'm alone
I look around
But baby you were gone
But I don't mind
And I don't worry
I will survive
I'm alone
Now that you're gone
Don't need nobody
To hold or tie me down
I broke the chains
So let me be
I've gotta be free
Breaking the chains around me
Nobody else can bind me
Take a good look around me
Now I'm breaking the chains
Breaking the chains around me
Nobody else can bind me
Take a good look around me
Now I'm breaking the chains
Yehuda Finkelstein
Dokken seriously belongs in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
rdillon517
Along with Winger
Tommy Swan
THIS GUITARIST GEORGE LYNCH IS ABSOLUTELY IN THE TOP FOUR GUITARISTS IN HEAVY METAL HISTORY >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 100% >>>>> :O : )
ZenRyoku
@Strange Visions you know i thought about that for a long time....
the way i see it is: other musicians show their respect for certain bands inducted...ESPECIALLY the actual artists that perform the indicting process which means more than any socophant arbitrarily inducting just whomever in that level of historical artistic importance
Zedan
True story:
I'm 26 years old- I wear a black bomber jacket to work. My boss is around 60. So, I play old music on a speaker. No joke:
Breaking the Chains blares as I'm closing
"That Dokken? Damn, I haven't heard them in years- years! How old are you? Goddamn, since before you were born!"
Happy to make an old metal fan happy for at least a moment.
Poppa Collar Brawler
Good song to play at work . I laminate to metal every work day.
Josh C
Fuck yeah
Rokken with dokken
POV: ur 12 and dokken is ur favorite and ur obsessed with don dokken and wveryone thjnks ur crazy and weird.
Rodney F.
Amen brother 👍
excuse me what?
That pop doesn’t match it