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.
Escape
Dokken Lyrics
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I've been watchin' for hours the clock on the wall
Seems the hands are frozen they don't move at all
Then the silence breaks as you walk through the door
On an on an on somewhere I don't belong
I'm all out of reasons to stay so I won't
On an on an on it won't leave me alone
I can't wait any longer to love you
Turns my reflection away from the day
I can't stand when you're so indecisive
Make up your mind so I can escape
When I hold you close there's nobody home
I can hear every heartbeat whisper and woe
Turn me on with your eyes as I smile right on cue
You rehearse everything that you say an you do
On an on an on you and I don't belong
There's no reason to stay anymore so I won't
On an on an on some thing's terribly wrong
Wish that I could remember the time that we said
I can't wait any longer to love you
Turns my reflection away from the day
I can't stand when you're so indecisive
Make up your mind so I can escape
I waited so long, I'm heading for the other side
I'm losing my mind over you, over you
I've been watchin' for hours the clock on the wall
Seems the hands are frozen they don't move at all
I can't wait any longer to love you
Turns my reflection away from the day
I can't stand when you're so indecisive
Make up your mind so I can escape
I can't wait any longer to love you
Turns my reflection away from the day
I can't stand when you're so indecisive
Make up your mind so I can escape
The lyrics to Dokken's song "Escape" depict a relationship that is stagnant and unfulfilling. The singer is alone, watching the clock, waiting for their lover to come home. However, when the lover finally arrives, the singer feels disconnected and out of place with them. The relationship has lost its passion and purpose, leaving the singer to long for a time when they felt more in love.
The chorus highlights the frustration that the singer feels about their partner's indecisiveness. They plead with their lover to make a decision so that they can "escape" this relationship and find someone who better meets their needs. The repeated lyric, "I can't wait any longer to love you," demonstrates the singer's desire for a deeper, more meaningful relationship that is currently out of reach.
Overall, "Escape" is a melancholy song that speaks to the difficulties of relationships that have lost their spark. It suggests the need for honest communication and decisive action to avoid becoming trapped in a loveless partnership.
Line by Line Meaning
Turn the lights down low there's nobody home
The singer is alone and wants to create a more intimate atmosphere.
I've been watchin' for hours the clock on the wall
The singer has been waiting for a long time and is becoming impatient.
Seems the hands are frozen they don't move at all
Time seems to have stopped, emphasizing the feeling of despair and stagnation the singer is experiencing.
Then the silence breaks as you walk through the door
The arrival of the other person breaks the monotonous silence and brings new hope and excitement.
On an on an on somewhere I don't belong
The artist is stuck in a situation where they feel out of place and uncomfortable.
I'm all out of reasons to stay so I won't
The singer has made up their mind to leave as they can no longer find any compelling reasons to stay.
On an on an on it won't leave me alone
The situation keeps haunting the singer and they can't get it out of their head.
Wish that I could remember the time when I said
The artist longs for a time when things were simpler and they were more certain of their feelings and decisions.
I can't wait any longer to love you
The artist is desperate to express their love for the other person and can no longer wait.
Turns my reflection away from the day
Love is a powerful force that distracts the artist from everything else, including the mundane reality of daily life.
I can't stand when you're so indecisive
The other person's indecisiveness is frustrating and causing the singer a great deal of stress and uncertainty.
Make up your mind so I can escape
The artist is hoping that the other person will finally make a decision so that they can move on and escape the current situation.
When I hold you close there's nobody home
The feeling of intimacy with the other person makes the singer forget about everything else around them and feel completely absorbed in the moment.
I can hear every heartbeat whisper and woe
The singer is completely in tune with the other person's emotions and feelings, and can sense their pain and struggles through their heartbeat.
Turn me on with your eyes as I smile right on cue
The other person has a way of charming and seducing the singer with their eyes and smile, which makes them feel desired and wanted.
You rehearse everything that you say and you do
The other person is not genuine or spontaneous, and instead puts on a facade by practicing their words and actions beforehand.
Somethin's terribly wrong
The artist has a strong feeling that something is not right, and that there are deeper problems in the relationship.
I waited so long, I'm heading for the other side
The singer has been waiting for a long time and is now ready to leave and move on to a new chapter in their life.
I'm losing my mind over you, over you
The other person has a powerful hold over the singer, to the point where it is affecting their mental health and wellbeing.
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Don Dokken, Jonathan Daniel Levin, Mick Brown
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind