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.
Hole In My Head
Dokken Lyrics
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I feel - something's not right in my head
I know - must have been something I said
What could be drawing me in
Closer and closer again
All of the visions escape from the holes in my head
All my - feelings are turning to gray
The light in the tunnel grows dim
My silver lining has left all these clouds in my head
Watching the thoughts grow in rows in the fields of my mind
Into an ocean of words that I cannot define
I see - must have been something I said
Suddenly everythings clear
All my experience left me with nothing to fear
Won't be long
Won't be long
The lyrics of Hole In My Head by Dokken are about the feeling of confusion, anxiety, and paranoia that stems from a mistake or a wrong decision that has been made. The first two lines suggest the realization of the problem and the guilt that comes with it. The next lines talk about the feeling of being sucked into the problem and the inability to control it. The singer also talks about the escape of his thoughts, and how he sees them as visions that cannot be defined. He is unable to make sense of what is happening because his mind is clouded with all these thoughts.
The song talks about how the negative thoughts and emotions grow in the singer's mind and take over his ability to think positively. He feels like he is stuck in a tunnel, and everything around him is becoming dimmer. This is symbolized by the phrase "My silver lining has left all these clouds in my head." However, towards the end of the song, he realizes that it was something he said that caused his problem, and that he has the power to fix it. He becomes optimistic again and says that "won't be long."
Overall, the lyrics of Hole In My Head demonstrate the pain and confusion that comes with making a mistake and the struggle to overcome these negative thoughts and feelings.
Line by Line Meaning
I feel - something's not right in my head
I sense that there is something wrong with me mentally.
I know - must have been something I said
I am aware that I might have said something that triggered this mental unrest.
What could be drawing me in
I am curious about what is causing me to feel this way.
Closer and closer again
Whatever is causing this is getting stronger and more intense.
All of the visions escape from the holes in my head
The disturbing visions or thoughts that I am experiencing are coming out of my mind.
Can you - see what I'm trying to say
Do you understand the message I am trying to convey?
All my - feelings are turning to gray
My emotions are fading, and everything seems bleak and colorless.
The light in the tunnel grows dim
The hope or optimism I had is fading away.
My silver lining has left all these clouds in my head
The one positive thing that I was holding onto is now adding to my mental distress.
Watching the thoughts grow in rows in the fields of my mind
I am observing my thoughts multiplying and spreading like crops in a field.
Into an ocean of words that I cannot define
My thoughts are getting more complex and difficult to comprehend.
I see - must have been something I said
Now I realize that it was the things I said that triggered this mental unrest.
Suddenly everythings clear
I have finally found clarity amidst the chaos in my mind.
All my experience left me with nothing to fear
My previous experiences have taught me to overcome my fears.
Won't be long
It won't take much longer to overcome this mental challenge.
Won't be long
It won't take much longer to overcome this mental challenge.
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DON DOKKEN, GEORGE LYNCH, JEFF PILSON, MICK BROWN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind