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. Their 11th album was released in 2012, 'Broken Bones'.
In 2023, Dokken, now consisting of frontman and founder Don Dokken, guitarist Jon Levin, bassist Chris McGarvill and drummer BJ Zampa, unveiled 12th album, 'Heaven Comes Down', which will be released via Silver Lining Music on October 27, 2023.
Day After Day
Dokken Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Day after day
You always break my heart
I can't take no more
From you
So I'll go far away
I'll just realize
You're not the one for me
You don't care for me
But I can't stop caring for you
You don't love me
Tell me what I'm supposed to do
Waited for so long
For you to love me too
I can't take no more
This time I'm through
So I'll go far away
Won't see me no more
I'll just realize
You're not the one
You don't care for me
But I can't stop caring for you
You don't love me
Tell me what I'm supposed to do
You don't care for me
But I can't stop caring for you
You don't love me
Tell me what I'm supposed to do
The lyrics of "Day After Day" by Dokken are about a one-sided relationship where one partner continually hurts the other. The singer is tired of being mistreated and decides to leave the relationship, even though it is difficult to do so. The chorus of the song portrays the frustration and confusion of the singer. He still cares for his partner despite her lack of interest in him. He is left in a dilemma unsure of what to do.
The song's imagery is powerful and emotional as the song progresses. The lyrics symbolize a feeling of numbness, heartbreak and an irrational affection. The lines "You don't care for me/But I can't stop caring for you," reflect the theme of loving someone who doesn't love you back. The singer understands that the relationship is toxic, but he can't help but keep his feelings intact.
Overall, "Day After Day" is a tale of a bittersweet relationship that is heading nowhere, and the internal conflict one faces when trying to let go of a relationship that has long been emotionally draining.
Line by Line Meaning
Day after day
Continuously, every single day
You always break my heart
You repeatedly hurt me emotionally
I can't take no more
I can't tolerate it anymore
From you
Due to your behavior or actions
So I'll go far away
I will physically distance myself from you
Won't see me no more
You won't see or hear from me again
I'll just realize
I will come to understand
You're not the one for me
You are not my ideal partner
You don't care for me
You do not have any concern or affection for me
But I can't stop caring for you
Despite your lack of care for me, I cannot help but still have feelings for you
You don't love me
You are not in love with me
Tell me what I'm supposed to do
Please advise me on what to do
Waited for so long
I have been patiently waiting for a considerable amount of time
For you to love me too
For you to feel the same way about me
This time I'm through
I have reached the end of my tolerance with this situation
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Dokkengirl Jo
I've been waiting for this one....Flawless...cleaned it up and left it alone. Dons voice is breathtaking on this.
jason stabler
Release this as a video single with old footage Don! It deserves that, whose with me???
Davis Cardona Arroyo
Yess!!!
gianni t
Hell yes!!
FetterzVonFett
fuck yes!!!!!!!
John Katsoudas
I got The Lost Songs 1978-1981 earlier today in the mail, and so far I have really enjoyed the songs I have listened to big time. This sounds much better than the Back In The Streets EP. I am really glad that you decided to properly release these songs, and that you are finally getting paid for your songwriting. I hope that you recover as best as possible from your horrible surgery. You are a fighter, and I love that you are staying positive as possible.
guitarist0407
I can't stop listening to this song. The pure masterpiece!
Chris Stearns
So grateful that you decided to clean out that garage Don! Proof that miracles do happen! Another masterpiece from a living legend, you rock...
Godzukidan
Wow those vocals, amazing.
Ladybuggy
Wishing you all the best Don. I pray you are completely healed. 2020 has been a tough time you said it best we thank all of those putting their lives on the line. 🙏❤