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.
Hit and Run
Dokken Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
So right for your attack
You know there's no return
Inside your heart that burns
So wrong, you know it's right
This time they'll be no right
You know just when to move
You take your chance, your chance on love
Your chance on love
You aim to win, come out above
Hit and run. Just leave me there
Hit and run. You just don't care
Hit and run. Just leave me there
Hit and run. You just don't care
Your bearings checked. You aim
You will accept no blame
You stalked the victim down
You hit without a sound
You take your chance, your chance on love
Your chance on love
You aim to win, come out above
You take your chance, your chance on love
Oh yeah-yeah
You take your chance, your chance on love, yeah
Baby
You take your chance, your chance on love
You take your chance, your chance on love
You take your chance, your chance on love
Your chance on love
You aim to win, come out above
Hit and run. Just leave me there
Hit and run. You just don't care
Hit and run. Just leave me there
Hit and run. You just don't care
Hit and run. Just leave me there
Hit and run
Hit and run. You just don't care
Hit and run. You just don't care
You just don't care
The song "Hit and Run" by Dokken depicts a scenario of a heartless hit-and-run driver. The lyrics describe the driver's mindset in detail as he prepares to commit the crime. They suggest that the driver is motivated by a burning desire to have his way and come out on top, no matter the cost. He lacks empathy and care for the victim left behind and will accept no blame for his actions. The song suggests that the hit-and-run driver takes his chance on love and aims to win, even if it means leaving his victim behind.
The chorus captures the essence of the song, as it repeats the phrase "Hit and run. Just leave me there. Hit and run. You just don't care." The repetition emphasizes the callousness of the driver's actions and his lack of concern for the person he has harmed. The lead singer's passionate delivery adds a sense of urgency to the lyrics, conveying the emotions of both the victim and the perpetrator.
Overall, Dokken's "Hit and Run" is a hard-rocking cautionary tale about the dangers of selfishness and recklessness. It warns listeners of the consequences of their actions and encourages them to consider the impact of their choices on others.
Line by Line Meaning
The night is gleaming black
The darkness of the night sets the stage for your violent attack.
So right for your attack
The conditions are ideal for you to carry out your violent intentions.
You know there's no return
You realize that once you commit this act, there is no going back.
Inside your heart that burns
You feel a fiery passion within you that drives you to act on your violent desires.
So wrong, you know it's right
Despite knowing that what you're doing is wrong, you believe that it is the right thing to do.
This time they'll be no right
This time, there will be no one to correct your actions or make them right.
You know just when to move
You have carefully planned this attack and know exactly when and how to execute it.
The punch, the sting, the soothe
You are driven by the thrill of the attack, the pain inflicted, and the soothing feeling of satisfaction after it's done.
You take your chance, your chance on love
You take a gamble on fulfilling your violent desires, believing that it will bring you some form of satisfaction.
Your bearings checked. You aim
You've carefully surveyed the situation and have your sights set on your victim.
You will accept no blame
You refuse to take responsibility for your actions and will not accept any consequences as a result.
You stalked the victim down
You followed your victim, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.
You hit without a sound
You swiftly and silently attack your victim, leaving no evidence or witnesses behind.
Hit and run. Just leave me there
You carry out your violent attack and leave your victim to suffer without any care or remorse for what you've done.
Hit and run. You just don't care
Your actions are driven purely by your own desires, with no regard for the well-being or suffering of your victim.
Contributed by Isabella S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@doesitmatter6462
The night is gleaming black
So right for your attack
You know there's no return
Inside your heart that burns
So wrong, you know it's right
This time they'll be no right
You know just when to move
The punch, the sting, the soothe
You take your chance, your chance on love
Your chance on love
You aim to win, come out above
Hit and run. Just leave me there
Hit and run. You just don't care
Hit and run. Just leave me there
Hit and run. You just don't care
Your bearings checked. You aim
You will accept no blame
You stalked the victim down
You hit without a sound
You take your chance, your chance on love
Your chance on love
You aim to win, come out above
You take your chance, your chance on love
Oh yeah-yeah
You take your chance, your chance on love, yeah
Baby
You take your chance, your chance on love
You take your chance, your chance on love
You take your chance, your chance on love
Your chance on love
You aim to win, come out above
Hit and run. Just leave me there
Hit and run. You just don't care
Hit and run. Just leave me there
Hit and run. You just don't care
Hit and run. Just leave me there
Hit and run
Hit and run. You just don't care
Hit and run. You just don't care
You just don't care
@dwaynegarfield1551
ABSOLUTELY A KILLER SONG! LOVE HIS YOUNGER VOICE AND SUCKS YOU GET OLD AND CAN'T DO THE HIGH NOTES NO MORE!! DON DOKKEN RULES!!!🎼🎸🥁👊🍻🤘😎😊🙏💕🎶
@Loud_Kloudz
Hell Yeah Dokken Rules! I’m 27 and I’m so grateful Don Released this. I’ve been starving for some new good music 🤘
@spikessignal
28 year old here. Same man this is was prefect gem to find at the end of my dokken discog listen.
@starcoloneldunadansonoft501
This track is screaming for a remaster. 🤘
@christopherrioslillo4822
this was the remaster lol there's not much you can do w it, it was just a 2 tape casette
@johnkatsoudas4767
This song should have been on the Breaking The Chains album. The live version on the live album Live From Conception 1981 is amazing. I loved it immediately on my first listen. I just got Dokken's The Lost Songs 1978-1981 earlier today in the mail, and so far I love it big time.
@thomasbrogan9102
Love that brutal, unpolished attack on the lead. Love it.
@reels2riffs
This is my favorite song on The Lost Songs. It's a song recorded for the Breaking The Chains album back in 1981. For whatever reason, it was cut off the album, but I love the shit out of it and I'm happy Don was able to clean it up as best he could and give it an official release from his vaults finally! Don sounds absolutely amazing on this, it's got that classic Wild Mick Brown drum sound, and the song features a previoiusly unheard, supremely insane guitar solo from George Lynch, who's only appearance on this entire compilation is on this song. And man, does he make his presence known!
@anthonygodwin4718
George also plays the solo on rainbows that appears on this album
@shiningphantasy1393
@@anthonygodwin4718 Are you sure about that? I thought that Rainbows, Step into the Light, and No Answer were all re-recordings by Jon Levin with Don adding new vocals.