They are notable for being the first of the British punk bands to release a single, put out an album, and tour the United States. Their debut album, Damned Damned Damned, was released six months before The Sex Pistols' debut, Never Mind The Bollocks. Read Full BioThe Damned is a punk rock band started in 1976 in London, UK. Despite being one of the definitive early punk bands they were also one of the most ambitious; with their later albums moving away from gothic rock to psychedelic rock.
They are notable for being the first of the British punk bands to release a single, put out an album, and tour the United States. Their debut album, Damned Damned Damned, was released six months before The Sex Pistols' debut, Never Mind The Bollocks.
The Damned have dissolved and reformed many times, with singer Dave Vanian remaining the sole constant. They have incorporated many styles in their music, most notably garage rock, psychedelic music, the British theatrical rock of Screaming Lord Sutch and The Sensational Alex Harvey Band, and New Romantic.
In addition to serving as inspiration for many of the young bands who created hardcore punk in the US, The Damned are also generally regarded as one of the founders of goth music.
Original members Dave Vanian (David Lett), Captain Sensible (Raymond Burns), and Rat Scabies (Chris Millar) were all members of the semi-legendary Masters of the Backside which included future Pretenders frontwoman Chrissie Hynde.
Original guitarist Brian James (Brian Robertson) was a member of the early punk band London SS, a unit that never played live, but whose members later found fame in bands including The Clash and Generation X. Rat Scabies was also tried as the drummer for London SS, but was rejected.
Maintaining the goth connection, between 1996 and 2004 the bass guitarist of the Damned was one-time the Sisters of Mercy / the Sisterhood / Gun Club member Patricia Morrison. Morrison married Dave Vanian in 1996 but left the band after the birth of their daughter Emily. She originally joined the band after bassist Paul Grey was injured during a concert.
Discography:
Damned, Damned, Damned – February 25, 1977 (# 36)
Music For Pleasure – November 18, 1977
Machine Gun Etiquette – November 2, 1979 (# 31)
The Black Album – October 20, 1980 (# 29)
Strawberries – October 1, 1982 (# 15)
Phantasmagoria – July 15, 1985 (# 11)
Anything – December 5, 1986 (# 40)
Not of This Earth – November 11, 1995 (Retitled I'm Alright Jack & The Beanstalk in the UK, Germany and Sweden)
Grave Disorder – August 21, 2001
So, Who's Paranoid? – October 28, 2008
Evil Spirits – April 13, 2018
New Rose
The Damned Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning | Line by Line Meaning
Ah!
I got a feeling inside of me
It's kind of strange like a stormy sea
I don't know why, I don't know why
I guess these things have got to be
I gotta new rose, I got it good
Guess I knew that I always would
I can't stop to mess around
I got a brand new rose in town
See the sun, see the sun, it shines
Don't get too close or it'll burn your eyes
Don't you run away that way
You can come back another day
I got a new rose, I got it good
Guess I knew that I always would
I can't stop to mess around
I got a brand new rose in town
I never thought this could happen to me
I feel strange, why should it be?
I don't deserve somebody this great, oh, oh
I'd better go or it'll be too late
Ah!
I got a feeling inside of me
It's kind of strange like a stormy sea
I don't know why, I don't know why
I guess these things have got to be
I got a new rose, I got her good
Guess I knew that I always would
I can't stop to mess around
I got a brand new rose in town, uh
Oh!
Na-na-no!
The Damned's song New Rose presents a story of a person who has an intense feeling that they have trouble understanding, something inexplicable that leaves them restless. However, their emotional confusion and angst are interrupted when they meet someone special, representated as a "new rose." The lyrics suggest that this new person has a transformative effect on the narrator's life, providing them with hope and inspiration, as the chorus proclaims "I got a new rose, I got it good. Guess I knew that I always would."
The narrator acknowledges their new partner’s greatness but doubts their capacity to be with someone that extraordinary. As the closing lyrics declare, “I don't deserve somebody this great, I'd better go or it'll be too late.” Overall, the song conveys a sense of excitement about newfound love and captures the feeling of meeting someone deeply special and life-changing.
Line by Line Meaning
Is she really going out with him?
The singer is surprised and dismayed that the girl he likes is going out with someone else.
Ah!
An expression of frustration.
I got a feeling inside of me
It's kind of strange like a stormy sea
I don't know why, I don't know why
I guess these things have got to be
The singer is experiencing conflicted emotions, similar to turbulent ocean waves. He doesn't understand why he feels this way, but accepts that it's just the nature of things.
I gotta new rose, I got it good
Guess I knew that I always would
I can't stop to mess around
I got a brand new rose in town
Despite his feelings for the girl who's going out with someone else, the singer has found a new girl to love. He's confident he'll always find love and doesn't want to waste time playing games. He's excited to share the good news with others.
See the sun, see the sun, it shines
Don't get too close or it'll burn your eyes
Don't you run away that way
You can come back another day
The singer cautions others to be careful of getting too close to something that might 'burn' them. If they do get hurt, they can come back another day to try again.
I never thought this could happen to me
I feel strange, why should it be?
I don't deserve somebody this great, oh, oh
I'd better go or it'll be too late
The singer is amazed and overwhelmed by the love he's found, and feels undeserving of someone so wonderful. He fears losing her so he better act fast.
Na-na-no!
An enthusiastic exclamation of happiness.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: BRIAN JAMES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
SMC Gmail
"It's kind of strange, like a stormy sea"
The exhilaration, the risk, the unknown, the excitement, the joy, the sense of potential - this song encapsulates what it’s like to be young and just realising someone you fancy like mad (unbelievably!) fancies you back.
At that age, I used to wonder why all the love songs were so slow, so whiney, so drippy, so boring.
None of them seemed to reflect the mad excitement, the churning in your heart, the utter exhilaration of falling headlong for the first time.
This great song did, and, for that, it’s never been bettered.
Alan Strom
Vale Chris Bailey
When I say that Chris Bailey is one of the most important people in our Australian Music History, that is a massive understatement.
Today's news of his passing is like losing a family member.
I'm shattered and devastated.
Chris came into my life in 1976, when I was supposed to be doing school homework.
Listening to Sydney's JJ 1540am radio ( thanks to the Gough Whitlam government ) I heard (I'm ) Stranded by THE SAINTS.
IT STILL RANKS AS ONE OF THE BEST SOUNDS I'VE EVER HEARD IN MY 61 YEARS ON THE PLANET.
(I'm ) Stranded by THE SAINTS was released before New Rose.
Chris Bailey was extremely intelligent with an acidic wit, not many, if any, could match him.
From reports I've heard, Chris was kind, warm, sincere and generous.
A beautiful spirit gone way too young.
I think he had a great time whilst he was here on Earth.
Not many people can do what he did.
He was a Punk Pioneer without even trying or even knowing that's what he was doing.
Condolences to his family, friends, all his bandmates and his legions of fans and supporters.
Ojdu456
Is she really going out with him?
I got a feeling inside of me
It's kind of strange like a stormy sea
I don't know why I don't know why
I guess these things have got to be
I gotta new rose I got it good
Guess I knew that I always would
I can't stop to mess around
I got a brand new rose in town
See the sun see the sun it shines
Don't get too close or it'll burn your eyes
Don't you run away that way
You can come back another day
I got a new rose I got it good
Guess I knew that I always would
I can't stop to mess around
I got a brand new rose in town
I never thought this could happen to me
This is strange why should it be
I don't deserve somebody this great
I'd better go or it'll be too late
I got a feeling inside of me
It's kind of strange like a stormy sea
I don't know why I don't know why
I guess these things have got to be
I got a new rose I got her good
Guess I knew that I always would
I can't stop to mess around
I got a brand new rose in town
R.J. Paul
Nothing was ever the same after this. One of the most important singles in the history of music. Thank God I lived in the 70s.
SMC Gmail
Amen to that - agree 100%
NickJG
This kick in the face announced the onslaught of punk. Scabies' drum beat sounds like war drums. Brian James' guitar riff is Beethovens Fifth plus overpowered blues shuffle. Dave Vanian darts around and snarls like a demented vampire. Captain Sensible is a mental case. Absolutely brilliant.
NickJG
@Coolmacatrain Helter Skelter is a great song, yes, but you can't deny that punk generally had a big influence,and this is a great song too.
Donald Feger
I agree they were even more badass in the 70's mate!
Ewan Taylor
Hi Paul , hi pal
Coolmacatrain
McCartney's helter skelter knocks spots off this a full ten years earlier ..and has made a 100 times the cultural impact. This was forgotten almost as soon as it was released.
Let's have it straight lads.
Ned D.
Probably the best debut single in punk history.
Kevin Adamson
Without a doubt
simon trucker
You mean rock n roll history.