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.
Don't Lie to Me
Dokken Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A short conversation was just a few words
A lie and a whisper, a knife in my back
The things you were saying lead me to believe
You want no part of me
Leave me go, turn and walk away, turn your back on me
If you stay, there's just one thing that I've got to say
Just don't lie to me
Don't treat me like a fool
Just don't lie to me
Like the way you used to do
Voices that whisper, dark deep despair
Burns me like fire, these things that I hear
Leave me go, turn and walk away, turn your back on me
If you stay, there's just one thing that I've got to say
Just don't lie to me
Don't treat me like a fool
Just don't lie to me
Like the way you used to do
Tell me it's over, don't tell me you care
Don't want to hear it no more
Don't say you love me, if the feeling's not there
Just turn and leave me, I want no part of you
Just don't lie to me
Don't treat me like a fool
Just don't lie to me
Like the way you used to do
Just don't lie to me
Don't treat me like a fool
Just don't lie to me
Like the way you used to do
Just don't lie to me
Or I'll be on my way
Just don't lie to me
I won't be back again
Just don't lie to me
Don't treat me like a fool
Just don't lie to me
Like the way you used to do
Just don't lie to me
The lyrics of Don't Lie to Me by Dokken speak of betrayal and distrust in a relationship. The song's protagonist overhears a conversation in which they realize that their partner has been lying to them. The lies and whispers are like a knife in their back, leading them to believe that their partner wants no part of them. The singer tries to move past the lies and betrayal and asks their partner to tell the truth and not treat them like a fool. They want their partner to be honest about their feelings and not lead them on.
The lyrics are emotionally charged, and the words perfectly portray the hurt and betrayal felt when trust is broken. The singer is not only hurt by the lies but also by the fact that their partner is leading them on. They cannot continue in a relationship that is built on lies, and they want their partner to be honest with them.
In conclusion, the lyrics of Don't Lie to Me are emotional and powerful. The song speaks of the pain, hurt, distrust, and betrayal felt when trust is broken. The singer can no longer continue in a relationship built on lies and wants their partner to be truthful.
Line by Line Meaning
You didn't see me, but I overheard
I heard something you didn't want me to hear
A short conversation was just a few words
I heard just enough to know what you were doing
A lie and a whisper, a knife in my back
You lied to me behind my back, and it hurt me
The things you were saying lead me to believe
What you were saying made me think you don't want to be with me
You want no part of me
You don't want anything to do with me
Voices that whisper, dark deep despair
The whispers I heard brought me sadness
Burns me like fire, these things that I hear
What I heard hurt me deeply
Tell me it's over, don't tell me you care
If it's over, just tell me the truth and don't try to comfort me
Don't want to hear it no more
I don't want to hear any more lies
Don't say you love me, if the feeling's not there
Don't say you love me if you don't mean it
Just turn and leave me, I want no part of you
Just go, I don't want anything to do with you anymore
Just don't lie to me
Just be honest with me
Don't treat me like a fool
Don't take advantage of me or deceive me
Like the way you used to do
Don't repeat the mistakes you made in the past
Leave me go, turn and walk away, turn your back on me
Just leave and don't look back
If you stay, there's just one thing that I've got to say
If you decide to stay, you need to be truthful with me
Or I'll be on my way
If you lie to me, I'm leaving
I won't be back again
I'm done with this relationship if you can't be honest with me
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: GEORGE LYNCH, DON DOKKEN, JEFF PILSON, MICK BROWN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Kyle H
The most underrated hair metal band ever. Rockin with dokken!
Davide Calvani
This song wasn't a song. It was a miracle. CLASS METAL.
RockNRoll Legend
I AGREE!
Rocío Cáceres Castillo
Davide Calvani es verdad!!,
Jody Hahn
@RockNRoll Legend jody
Jody Hahn
@Rocío Cáceres Castillo jody
Jody Hahn
Jody
80sGlamGirl🎸
I love this awesome song and this video is very funny and fits a lot. 😍 I love Dokken sooo much and I'm 24 years old girl. Truly I want to live in 80s.What a wonderful time for music. I missed this era. I should be born earlier. 😭🙏
Kathryn Jordan
Oh the music of the 80s. Dokken rocks. Great songs and albums of all time
Douglas Newson
This song is underrated.