D.O.A. was a hardcore punk band from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. T… Read Full Bio ↴D.O.A. was a hardcore punk band from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. They are often referred to as the "founders" of hardcore punk, along with Black Flag, The Germs, Negative Trend, and Middle Class. Their second album Hardcore '81 was thought by many to have been the first actual reference to the second wave of the American punk sound as hardcore. Singer/guitarist Joey "Shithead" Keithley is the only founding member to have stayed in the band throughout its entire history. However, original bassist Randy Rampage has been active in the band in recent years and has played on one of the band's last three albums, although he is not in the current lineup. D.O.A. has often released music on Jello Biafra's Alternative Tentacles Records, and they have released an album with Jello Biafra titled Last Scream of the Missing Neighbors.

D.O.A. has always maintained an uncompromising leftist political stance. The band is known for its outspoken political opinions and has a history of performing for many causes and benefits. Its slogan is "Talk minus Action equals Zero." The band has been active on many issues, including anti-racism, anti-globalization, freedom of speech, and the environment.

Rosemary's Baby
D.O.A. Lyrics

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innocence, that magic day. you've told yourself, you've changed your ways. you've joined society an end to your debauchery. who knew what's to come. pleasure leads to pain. there's a new one in your life. now the rules change. chorus: cold sweat, runny eyes. short of breath, barely alive. drag yourself to the very brink. sleep deprived, still can't think. and now it's clear just what you've scored. many years in hell is your reward. and your house, a prison wing. and you're the warden for that evil thing. to make your escape there's nothing you won't pay. what was once an arduous task seems more like a holiday. (chorus) in no time at all look how much you've aged. now you look at the outside world fading in the haze. (chorus) cold sweat, runny eyes. short of breath, barely alive. day & night, melt in time. torture's face is a baby's cry. baby's cry, baby's cry.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of DOA's "Rosemary's Baby" recount the story of an individual who believes they have abandoned their reckless ways and integrated into society. However, the arrival of a new person in their life threatens to alter the rules of the game. The pleasure of this addition soon leads to incredible pain and suffering, as the singer finds themselves trapped in a prison-like environment, struggling to pay whatever it takes to escape.

The opening lines of the song refer to a time of innocence, a moment when the singer believed they had changed their ways. But the song quickly pivots, suggesting that nothing is certain and that any pleasure will ultimately lead to pain. The "new one in your life" represents a mysterious force, and the rules have changed, leading to "cold sweat, runny eyes, short of breath, barely alive."

The chorus is particularly harrowing, emphasizing the singer's sleep deprivation and inability to think clearly. In the end, the individual is trapped in a nightmare of their own making, aging rapidly and torturing themselves with the sound of a baby's cry.

Line by Line Meaning

innocence, that magic day.
You used to be innocent and carefree.

you've told yourself, you've changed your ways.
You thought you had reformed.

you've joined society an end to your debauchery.
You tried to become a part of society and leave your wild lifestyle behind.

who knew what's to come.
You didn't know what the future held.

pleasure leads to pain.
The happiness you experienced before has now turned to agony.

there's a new one in your life.
You have a new addition in your life.

now the rules change.
Your life is changed and there are new rules and responsibilities.

chorus: cold sweat, runny eyes. short of breath, barely alive. drag yourself to the very brink. sleep deprived, still can't think.
You are struggling and suffering, barely able to keep yourself going.

and now it's clear just what you've scored.
You realize the consequences of your actions.

many years in hell is your reward.
You will have to suffer for years to come.

and your house, a prison wing.
Your home now feels like a prison.

and you're the warden for that evil thing.
You have taken on the role of caring for something that seems evil or ominous.

to make your escape there's nothing you won't pay.
You will do anything to escape this situation.

what was once an arduous task seems more like a holiday.
Things that used to seem difficult are now trivial in comparison.

in no time at all look how much you've aged.
You have aged significantly and quickly.

now you look at the outside world fading in the haze.
Your perspective on the world has changed and you see it as distant and unclear.

(chorus)
You are still struggling and suffering.

day & night, melt in time.
Time seems to stretch on forever.

torture's face is a baby's cry.
The baby's crying seems like torture to you.

baby's cry, baby's cry.
The baby's crying is persistent and unrelenting.