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.
Haunted Lullabye
Dokken Lyrics
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High - much higher than before
Now - the vision of you haunting me again
Your spirit chills me to the core
Sing to me / your twisted melody
Mesmerized / it never seems to end
Another haunted lullabye
I don't know the reason or the rhyme
Steal away the cradle in my mind
Gone - and left me with insatiable desire
Still - I can't escape your trance
Take - your pleasure when you play with my lament
You cast a shadow bound romance
Sing to me / your symphony of woe
Deafening / oh will it ever end
Another haunted lullabye
I don't know the reason or the rhyme
Another haunted lullabye
Steal away the cradle in my mind
I can't stand the way your silence leaves me broken
And my loneliness is playing on the strings of my despair
Another haunted lullabye
I don't know the reason or the rhyme
Another haunted lullabye
Steal away the cradle in my mind
The lyrics of the song "Haunted Lullabye" by Don Dokken speak about a haunted experience that the singer had with someone who had left him with insatiable desire. The singer is haunted by the visions of the person who had taken him to a place he had never been before, much higher than before. The spirit of this person chills him to the core, and he can't escape the trance that he is under.
The person who haunts the singer has a twisted melody that mesmerizes him, and he can't resist it. The symphony of woe that this person sings is deafening, and the singer wonders if it will ever end. The singer can't stand the way the silence of this person leaves him broken, and his loneliness is playing on the strings of his despair.
In summary, the song "Haunted Lullabye" is about being haunted by someone who has left an indelible mark on the singer's mind and soul. The singer cannot escape the hold that this person has over him, and he longs for the cradle of his mind to be returned to a state of peace.
Line by Line Meaning
You - you took me to a place I'd never been
You introduced me to a new level of passion and excitement
High - much higher than before
I felt an intense rush of emotions and sensations
Now - the vision of you haunting me again
I can't stop thinking about you, even though you're not here
Your spirit chills me to the core
The memory of you fills me with dread and fear
Sing to me / your twisted melody
Sing to me with your unique and unconventional voice and style
Mesmerized / it never seems to end
Enthralled and captivated by your music, I lose track of time
Another haunted lullabye
Another melancholic and eerie song that reminds me of you
I don't know the reason or the rhyme
I can't explain why I'm drawn to this haunting music
Steal away the cradle in my mind
Take away my ability to forget you and move on
Gone - and left me with insatiable desire
You disappeared from my life, leaving me with an intense craving for you
Still - I can't escape your trance
Despite my efforts, I can't break free from your spell
Take - your pleasure when you play with my lament
You enjoy seeing me suffer and express my sorrow through music
You cast a shadow bound romance
Our relationship was plagued by darkness, tragedy, and unfulfilled love
Sing to me / your symphony of woe
Sing to me with your beautiful and sorrowful music
Deafening / oh will it ever end
The sound is overwhelming and intense, and I wonder if it will ever stop
I can't stand the way your silence leaves me broken
Your absence and lack of communication make me feel shattered and alone
And my loneliness is playing on the strings of my despair
My feeling of being alone and empty is being amplified by my sorrowful music
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Don Dokken, Jeff Pilson, Mick Brown, Richard E Beach Jr
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind