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.
Felony
Dokken Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In tight blue jeans
I did not know
She was so sweet
Felony
What ya did ta me
The judge said sorry
First degree
[Chorus]
You're here in my heart
Felony
You're here in my heart
Felony, felony, felony, yeah
Felony, felony, felony
Well I was shot down
By a heart so cruel
You were were laughin' yeah
You took me for a fool
I'm struck down
Left lyin' in the dirt
I never knew
How much love it hurts
[Chorus]
Harvard paid
Detective man
I'm in his sights
I'm on the run
Those tight blue jeans
That drove me wild
I did not know
She was just a child
Felony, yeah
[Chorus]
Felony, felony, felony
The song "Felony" by Dokken talks about the aftermath of a romantic relationship that went wrong. The singer met a woman who he found attractive and started seeing her without knowing much about her. He wore tight blue jeans and did not realize she was underage, which led to him being accused of committing a crime. The chorus of the song talks about how the memory of his encounter with her still lingers in his heart.
In the second verse, the singer describes how he was hurt by her heartless behavior. He was mocked and ridiculed by her for being naive and then left alone with his broken heart. He did not realize until too late that love can cause immense pain, especially when it is unrequited or forbidden.
Overall, "Felony" is a story of heartache and regret, where the singer is left to bear the consequences of his actions, the innocent victim of his own passion.
Line by Line Meaning
Felony
The singer addresses the person who has committed a serious crime.
In tight blue jeans
The person is described as wearing tight blue jeans.
I did not know
The singer did not know something important yet to be revealed.
She was so sweet
The person who committed the crime was unexpectedly kind or likeable.
Felony
The artist repeats the title/introductory word of the song as a way of transitioning to the next section.
What ya did ta me
The singer directly accuses the person of causing harm.
The judge said sorry
The singer indicates that a legal proceeding has occurred, but the outcome was not favorable.
First degree
The person was convicted of the most serious level of crime (possibly murder).
You're here in my heart
The artist has intense feelings of attachment to the person who committed the crime, despite any negative consequences.
Well I was shot down
The artist compares their emotional state to being physically wounded.
By a heart so cruel
The person who caused the harm is described as having a lack of empathy or compassion.
You were were laughin' yeah
The person who caused the harm took pleasure in doing so or found the situation amusing.
You took me for a fool
The person who caused the harm took advantage of the singer's trust or naivety.
I'm struck down
The singer is again describing their emotional state as a physical injury.
Left lyin' in the dirt
The singer feels abandoned or ignored by the person who caused the harm.
I never knew
The artist reveals that they were unaware of something significant until after the harm occurred.
How much love it hurts
The artist connects their experience of emotional pain to the feeling of being in love.
Harvard paid
A professional detective has been hired to find the singer and/or the person who committed the crime.
Detective man
The detective is described as being masculine or powerful.
I'm in his sights
The artist feels threatened or pursued by the detective.
I'm on the run
The artist is trying to avoid being caught or punished for their actions, or fears being hurt again.
Those tight blue jeans
The artist is reminded of the person who caused them harm by an item of clothing.
That drove me wild
The singer remembers being attracted or infatuated with the person who caused them harm, complicating their feelings.
She was just a child
The person who caused the harm was revealed to be younger or less mature than the artist previously believed.
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing
Written by: DON DOKKEN, GEORGE LYNCH, MICK BROWN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@doesitmatter6462
Felony
In tight blue jeans
I did not know
She was so sweet
Felony
What ya did to me
The judge said sorry
First degree
[Chorus:]
You're here in my heart
Felony
You're here in my heart
Felony, felony, felony, yeah
Felony, felony, felony
Well I was shot down
By a heart so cruel
You were were laughin' yeah
You took me for a fool
I'm struck down
Left lyin' in the dirt
I never knew
How much love it hurts
[Chorus]
[Solo]
Harvard paid
Detective man
I'm in his sights
I'm on the run
Those tight blue jeans
That drove me wild
I did not know
She was just a child
Felony, yeah
[Chorus]
Felony, felony, felony
@dokkengirljo6993
One of my favs...I like this version...its bluesy....Thank gosh Don found these tapes!!!
@DokkenNewsing
Wow that's good.. I hope you are keeping safe?
@santiagotorresjaramillo8
This version is outstanding!! Thanks Don Dokken for sharing ❤️
@grohlgrowl1118
Juan Croucier on lead vocals on this version! ❤😎🤘
@rattsjcfanpage01
Juan's an awesome singer!
@grohlgrowl1118
@@rattsjcfanpage01 Your YT name is one of my fave Liquid Sunday tunes
@rattsjcfanpage01
@@grohlgrowl1118 I'm glad you caught that!😉 Juan knows about my channel. Feel free to check it out. 😊
@rattsjcfanpage01
@@grohlgrowl1118 cool short I made... https://youtube.com/shorts/zj0-oaLiIqk?feature=share
@richardsaure4392
I love Dokken, always have, and these early songs, early attempts at greatness, I think they are really good and enjoyable, you hear and feel the hunger, and the tunes are well crafted, productionwise it's raw, but they shine through. One for the longtime fans!
@johnnie3Chords
I have loved Dokken since" Breakin the Chains " , love that era , these songs are a great great for me !