The Dead Boys were an American punk rock band that formed in Cleveland, Ohi… Read Full Bio ↴The Dead Boys were an American punk rock band that formed in Cleveland, Ohio around 1975. They evolved out of the band Rocket From The Tombs (whose remaining members eventually became the avant-garde band Pere Ubu).

Moving to New York City in 1976, they quickly gained notoriety for their outrageous live performances – lewd gestures and profanity was the norm, and on more than one occasion, lead singer Stiv Bators slashed his stomach with his mic stand. They frequently played at the legendary rock club CBGBs and in 1977 they released their debut album, Young, Loud and Snotty, produced by Genya Ravan. Their song "Sonic Reducer" is often regarded as one of the classics of the punk genre, with the All Music Guide calling it "one of punk's great anthems."

Sire Records pressured the group to change their look and sound to appeal more to the US mainstream (which had yet to embrace punk on the level seen in the UK) and this contributed to Dead Boys breaking up in 1979. A few months after the breakup the band had to reunite to record a live album and thus fulfill their contractual obligations. To exact revenge on the label, Bators purposely sang off mic and the resulting recording was unusable. When the material eventually surfaced on Bomp! Records, Bators had re-recorded the vocals in a studio.

Bators later formed Lords of the New Church with Brian James from The Damned and Dave Tregunna from Sham 69.

The band reformed for several gigs in the 1980's. They released Younger, Louder and Snottier in 1989, which included demos and rough mixes of their debut album.

In 1990, Bators died in France due to injuries sustained in a car accident.

In September of 2004, the band, sans Bators, re-formed for a one-off gig in Cleveland.

In 2005, they played a benefit show for the legendary rock club CBGBs. This same year, they also played a reunion show on Halloween.

Son Of Sam
Dead Boys Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Last night in the middle of a dream
Fiery red dog eyes double beamed
Tellin' me directions of my soul
Poured my life inside a bullet hole

I am a son of Sam
I got death breathing from my hand
I can't resist I cannot fight

I've fallen victim to his bite

I have killed six but I'll kill more
Sam commands my .44
I am a son of Sam
I got death breathing from my hand

Take me and strap me
To the electric chair
But you'll never kill me
I'll always be there

Look over your shoulder
Some dark rainy night

A dull pain will hit you
The sharp canine bite

Overall Meaning

Dead Boys’ “Son of Sam” depicts the mind of a killer whose actions are commanded by Sam, the demonic dog with fiery red eyes. The lyrics convey the singer’s conviction that he is the son of the infamous serial killer David Berkowitz, also known as Son of Sam. The surreal imagery of the fiery red eyes double beamed dog instructing the singer on the directions of his soul communicates the idea that the singer is not in control of his actions; instead, they are directed by a malevolent force.

The lyrics suggest that the singer is resigned to his fate, helpless against the power that controls him. The line “I can't resist I cannot fight” reflects an eerie acceptance of his situation. The idea that he has “fallen victim to his bite” implies that he has been bitten by the same demon that possessed Son of Sam. The song’s mention of Son of Sam’s murder spree highlights the enormity of the crime and the notoriety that it brought to him. The line “look over your shoulder, some dark rainy night, a dull pain will hit you, the sharp canine bite” serves as a chilling reminder that Son of Sam’s legacy will always haunt New York City.

Line by Line Meaning

Last night in the middle of a dream
In a dream one night, when my conscious self was resting and my subconscious was active

Fiery red dog eyes double beamed
I saw demonic red eyes glowing with intensity

Tellin' me directions of my soul
Guiding me towards the lost pieces of my soul

Poured my life inside a bullet hole
I've put a great deal of myself into ending lives- all of which I've taken via gunshot

I am a son of Sam
I am David Berkowitz, the notorious killer who became known as the Son of Sam

I got death breathing from my hand
I hold the power of death within me

I can't resist I cannot fight
I am unable to resist the dark forces within me, and I am powerless to fight against them

I've fallen victim to his bite
I am a victim of Sam's influence- I've been bitten by his power

I have killed six but I'll kill more
I've already killed six people and will continue to kill more

Sam commands my .44
It is as if Sam himself is commanding me to use my .44 caliber weapon to kill more people

Take me and strap me
Arrest me and fasten me to the electric chair

To the electric chair
A device that kills with electricity sent through the body of the person strapped into it

But you'll never kill me
Even if you seem to kill me via execution, I will never truly be gone

I'll always be there
I will always be in the minds of those who heard of me

Look over your shoulder
Be watchful of your surroundings

Some dark rainy night
It will happen at night when it's dark and wet outside

A dull pain will hit you
A nagging ache will overcome you

The sharp canine bite
A painful memory reminiscent of Sam's sinister canine power and influence

Lyrics © Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: JIMMY ZERO

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@jackinbeatz7132

7y↑28

lyrics

Last night in the middle of a dream
Fiery red dog eyes double beamed
Telling me directions of my soul
Poured my life inside a bullet hole

I am Son of Sam
I got death breathing from my hand

I can't resist, I cannot fight
I've fallen victim to his bite
I have killed six but I'll kill more
Sam commands my .44

Take me and strap me
To the electric chair
But you'll never kill me
I'll always be there
Look over your shoulder
Some dark rainy night
A dull pain will hit you
The sharp canine bit

Son of Sam!

@kenmurphy6792

5y↑4

Last night in the middle of a dream
Fiery red dog eyes double beamed
Telling me directions of my soul
Poured my life inside a bullet hole

I am Son of Sam
I got death breathing from my hand

I can't resist, I cannot fight
I've fallen victim to his bite
I have killed six but I'll kill more
Sam commands my .44

Take me and strap me
To the electric chair
But you'll never kill me
I'll always be there
Look over your shoulder
Some dark rainy night
A dull pain will hit you
The sharp canine bit

Son of Sam!

All comments from YouTube:

@LaughingStock_

9y↑18

Perfect. The production, the band, the song = 10/10.

@NBM3

2y↑1

Except for neutering Cheetah's guitar...

@kevinmcquain5784

8y↑10

One of the first punk songs I ever heard and still love it today. RIP Stiv.

@jackinbeatz7132

7y↑28

@poohzie7596

5y↑3

I miss this band!

@BILLIESCOTTbilliedjglam

5y↑9

thanx 4 posting this ....This tune was right in the middle of what was goin on!!!!!!

@danielscissorhands

9y↑19

The myth is that David Berkowitz heard his neighbour's dog talking to him, but he admitted to his psychiatrist that he made that up, and that the only reason for the attacks was because of his violent feelings towards women who rejected him all his life.

PS: Great song. Thanks for uploading. Love the Dead Boys. RIP Stiv.

@1967PONTIACGTO

6y↑2

didn't he also claim there were more people involved... a satanic cult of some sort..

@thiscorrosion900

6y↑1

That's all bullshit. However, I read there might be some evidence that there were some people (kids, whatever) doing Satanic stuff over several years, at that park up in the Bronx off the river, if those stories can be believed. None of which had anything to do with Berkowitz except that he once lived nearby. I read they're right now renovating that park which was a famous estate, and now it's being used for weddings and such! How charming.

@thiscorrosion900

5y↑3

Klaus Sperger I know, I wouldn’t trust much of what he’s said on those subjects.

@thiscorrosion900

5y↑2

@Klaus Sperger He was definitely very ill, but how ill is a matter of debate, for sure.

@thiscorrosion900

5y↑2

@Klaus Sperger Oh, absolutely, that squares with all I've read over the years about him. Right, I forgot about the arson stuff too, one of the docus. goes into all that. Reminds me of the song by MC900FTJesus "while the city sleeps"
which may be partially about him. But, Berkowitz was still able to work FT jobs here and there, and kind of blend in with 9-5 society, at least much of the time.

14 More Replies...

@DocMarten93

12y↑1

Great Song !

@Dillinger86

11y↑9

that barking Dog is bad ass

@davidlaurila6339

Best song ever

@broncycolon7020

5y↑4

69-79....my perfect years...all inclusive....

@Dillinger86

11y↑8

The Barking dog is fucking epic!

@Dillinger86

12y

I remember when KROQ of LA would play this song... fucken bad ass song... the barking dog rules

@Caseyafi

6y↑3

The world is rough.

@SalMichael

3y↑1

" I AM THE SON OF SAIYEM!!"
GO STIV !

@madzen112

True undervalued record

@lindawhalen1325

10y↑1

Sounds Great. I don't remember this maybe so I think It's about time I heard it. There's another Dead Boys Song I'm looking for so I'm enjoying the catalog. I'd like this on Vinyl. In the mid 70's we were blocks from the Zebra Killer in San Francisco. Son Of Sam was a scary dude. David B was from New York ? Right?

@danielscissorhands

Linda Whalen Right.

@edwardcarmody3336

Correct,44 caliber killer,Queens,NY.

@davidsavage2816

7y↑3

Pentagram guitarist Vincent Griffin did great covers of 'Son Of Sam' and 'Ain't It Fun' on his solo album. That's where I first heard both songs.

@SydMichaelShepperd

I think I know the cover of Son of Sam. And actually, that was the only video on youtube with this song. That's when I decided to upload the Dead Boys version myself. Is it this one the cover you are referring to? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RkAFyj8Mo2Y

@davidsavage2816

Yeah, that's it. Check out the rest of that album sometime, it's pretty good.

@LaughingStock_

4y↑3

Track down the original version of 'Ain't it Fun" by Peter Laughner (RIP). Peter never recorded an official LP, but there is a superb CD of demos and home recordings that is essential to anyone interested in the roots of Dead Boys, Television and Pere Ubu.

@kenmurphy6792

5y↑4

@joaonascimento4278

O começo lembra pátria amada dos inocentes

@mikebeaubien2982

10y↑8

wow what a great fn song. DEAD BOYS AND RODNEY DANGERFIELD GOT NO FN RESPECT

@deeweb35

6y↑2

Any one else see what I'm thinking was a full length documentary about Berkowitz and how the killings were perpetrated by multiple members of a cult group he was either a full fledged member of, or was at least on the cusp of becoming one? At first, it seemed like a load of bull, but the inconsistencies they pointed out had me giving it heavy consideration, assuming the points that were brought up were the real deal facts...

@thiscorrosion900

6y↑1

It's all bullshit, trust me on that one. Berkowitz was a loner and would probably not have mixed well with any cult or group or gang. There are some stories of a park (which started out as kind of a Bronx Gold Coast estate gone to seed, now apparently restored!) that was up in the Bronx near where Berkowitz lived for a time, with rumors of some kids or satanic actual cultists meeting in the park, or whatever, some of which MIGHT be true. But he had nothing to do with that, even if it were true, I'm sure. Most of these guys act alone, and I'd put money on Berkowitz acting alone as well. There was one early case of some girl in the Bronx having something (zip gun or whatever) shot
from the street up into her apt. kitchen window, she wasn't injured thank God, just a year or so before the shootings started, which may or may not have been Berkowitz, supposedly. They never tied anyone, or him, to this particular incident.

You hear these stories growing up in LI and Queens over the years, my friend told me stories like this from years ago in Forest Hills, stories of kids doing Satanic rituals and stuff in or around the apt. projects and parks there. I'm sure most of it is pure bullshit, but who knows? There was also, later on, the infamous Northport L.I. teen murder case in the mid '80s, the kids who lured some other kid to the woods, a drug deal gone wrong, but supposedly the main kid was a Satanist and black metal aficionado, etc. (Ricky Kasso case: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ricky_Kasso), tied into the heavy metal Satanic and roleplaying game hysteria at the time, and Kasso did stab someone to death but it wasn't a ritual murder. I recall that case very well from having grown up on LI, and being in high school at the time, etc. Supposedly Kasso did have an avowed interest in Satanism and the occult, but perhaps too much was made of that, a lot of people and teens did back then, and still do, but there was no actual cult around him.

@MariaRamirez-nq4is

@@thiscorrosion900 Mr. Briggs I know I'm late to this conversation BUT you could probably inform me concerning: do you know if it's true that Son Of Sam spent some time before actually murdering people there are documented police reports of him attempting to STAB random women to death?

@MariaRamirez-nq4is

@@thiscorrosion900 if no conversation, it's all good I totally understand... P.S., DEAD BOYS "What Love Is" & "Ain't Nothing To Do" among my all-time favorite songs evah'

@thiscorrosion900

2y↑1

@@MariaRamirez-nq4is I'm no expert on the case but I think he claimed later to the cops that he attempted to stab some women or something or other, but this was never confirmed, I don't believe.

@thiscorrosion900

2y↑1

@@MariaRamirez-nq4is Yep, love all the Dead Boys stuff and also love all of Stiv's solo stuff and the Lords, too, and Wanderers. I was too young to have seen the Dead Boys at CBGBs, and sadly I missed Stiv solo
and Lords I only knew from radio and clubs and things like that. I didn't know this music until much later, late 80s to 1990s, in my case.

3 More Replies...

@Caseyafi

6y↑3

The world is ruff.

@markcarlyon1324

10y↑10

I have killed six and I'll kill more; Sam commands my .44!!!!!

@charleshall3372

6y↑3

Who saw THIS album coming or Damned & Television second albums(Broke up all three bands?)!

@MariaRamirez-nq4is

Dead Boys 1st album is actually one of my all-time FAVORITES ever!!!!! Especially when it came out! (P.S. I'm born '69 & have been "into" music from even being a lil' kid... especially after I discovered "punkrock"...even though I hate that term but you know what I'm talking about...

@Toxicromzii

7y↑21

What's the dog saying at the beginning? anyone know?

@1967PONTIACGTO

6y↑6

give me food

@thiscorrosion900

6y↑1

Chuck Wagon! Where's Chuck Wagon!??? (RIP)

@atlcarpetrepair

6y↑2

Toxic Romzi. It never says any thing. It barks and it's fierey eyes double beam.

@LaughingStock_

5y↑2

"Where's the pussy around here?!"

@sweetsatan6667

5y↑1

Toxic Romzi killlll

2 More Replies...

@NBM3

Allegedly....actual Sam the dog barking in the intro.
Recorded by Stiv and Cheetah ...they said .

@SydMichaelShepperd

11y↑1

Therefore the ''Sam commands my .44" lyric :P.

@qualifiedcornstarch6859

Shinedown also did a song about David Berkowitz called 'Son of Sam'.

@gorlaklibhammer9852

Pretty dark lyrics

@putumcdonald8075

10y↑2

green eggs and ham I am the son of sam that I am , that seuss he ain;t no fun get that gun

@downallyourstreets

3y↑3

Producer neutered this song. The band hated this recording. Listen to the live version!

@navinjohnson2109

3y↑1

Yes. The whole album was a disappointment compared to their debut. Though it has its moments, Son Of Sam being one of them, it lacks impact. Apparently, the band agreed.

@LaughingStock_

Rubbish. The production is perfect.

@iii6781

8y↑1

anybody wanna start a punk rock band with me i live in jackson,ms

@gulfrelay2249

Ryder Patrick Layne can you play? that ain't PUNK. whatcha gotta SAY? play? move to Nashville.

@theimmortalsleazus8057

If you could come to canada you got it

@jacobeaston7431

I believe he really was talking to sam something's telling me I swear Lol

@marcokitt.2328

Hey guyz, have u ev seen the (Spike Lee's)movie ??

@thiscorrosion900

6y↑2

a pretty awful movie. Some of it's ok but mainly a load of nonsense. A tiny bit of fact and 95 per cent nonsense.

@mojoarmstretch7261

Rottweiler ARE the "talkiest" of the breeds 😊

@theimmortalsleazus8057

Idk I find small dogs talk more rotties are where my hearts at though

@dixgun

4y↑1

Who did the song with the line, “I am Son of Sam said blam-blam-blam-blam-blam?”

@Dillinger86

11y

hehehe

@simonsabbath1064

9y↑3

much so much better the 1977 album. here they lost already their power. all of it

@downallyourstreets

3y↑1

I disagree, if you hear their live recordings from 78-79 they have less speed but more epic rock n’ roll power than 76-77. They were becoming something bigger than the Stones but self destruction and fickle public was the end. The problem was the producer/recording engineer was purposely sabotaging the recording. They band was crushed by it but had to commit it to release due to contracts. Read the book Please Kill Me by Leggs McNeil it’sALL in that book.

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