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.
How I Miss Your Smile
Dokken Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
All The Things that we used to do
Memories of simple things revolve around you
Visions in my mind keep coming through
I Wasn't you and I've known for awhile
How I Miss Your Smile
Funny how this all came to be
Miscommunication it seems
Looking back I realize the truth
I wish that I had listened to you
It' the simple things that change in our lives
Maybe someday I'll get it right
How I miss your smile
This foolish heart is broken there's no cure
And this lonliness is all that I have
WE san't take it back the words that we said
Without regrets
Baby I admit that I lied
No Excuse for makin' you cry
I keep starin' at your picture every day
Please forgive me is all I have to say
How I miss your smile
In the song "How I Miss Your Smile" by the American heavy metal band Dokken, the lyrics indicate a deep feeling of loss and regret of a broken relationship. The singer reminisces about the memories he shared with his significant other, and the simple things they used to do together. Even though the memories of the past remain vivid in his mind, he cannot help but feel the pain of losing his companion's smile. The loss that he is describing appears to be due to a miscommunication, which has resulted in regret.
From the lyrics, it is clear that the singer wishes he could go back and change things that made their relationship to come to an end. There is an acceptance of responsibility for lying and making the partner cry. The singer comes across as someone who is consumed by guilt and loneliness, and he has realized that it is the little things that matter in a relationship. The song serves as a plea from the singer to the ex-partner to forgive him for his mistakes as he wishes to rekindle their relationship.
In conclusion, Dokken's "How I Miss Your Smile" is a heartbreaking ode to lost love. The lyrics reflect the feelings of loss and regret that people go through during a break-up. It is a poignant reminder that sometimes it is the simple things that matter the most when it comes to love, and the power of forgiveness can change everything that was once lost.
Line by Line Meaning
Thinkin' 'bout the days spent with you
I am reminiscing about the days we shared together
All The Things that we used to do
I am remembering all the activities we used to enjoy together
Memories of simple things revolve around you
My memories are filled with simple moments we shared
Visions in my mind keep coming through
I keep having flashbacks of our time together
I Wasn't you and I've known for awhile
I have come to the realization that I am not compatible with you
How I Miss Your Smile
I am deeply saddened by the absence of your smile
Funny how this all came to be
It is strange how our relationship ended up this way
Miscommunication it seems
I believe that our break up was due to a misunderstanding
Looking back I realize the truth
In hindsight, I understand the reality of our situation
I wish that I had listened to you
I regret not taking your words seriously
It' the simple things that change in our lives
Over time, the little things can make a big difference in our lives
Maybe someday I'll get it right
I can only hope that I will make better decisions in my future relationships
This foolish heart is broken there's no cure
My heart is broken beyond repair
And this lonliness is all that I have
I am left in a state of emptiness and loneliness
WE san't take it back the words that we said
I cannot undo the hurtful things that were said between us
Without regrets
I must learn to move forward and let go of my regrets
Baby I admit that I lied
I must confess that I was not truthful with you
No Excuse for makin' you cry
There is no justification for causing you pain and tears
I keep starin' at your picture every day
I cannot help but look at your photo every day
Please forgive me is all I have to say
All I can do now is ask for your forgiveness
How I miss your smile
I am deeply saddened by the absence of your smile
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
ƁԼƛƇƘ MƠƠƝ
Dokken is awesome!
Danny Turczyn
This is some of Don's best song writing
Love his emotion on singing these songs
Thumbs up Don!
joshgriffin1976
Talented man for sure...I love Dokken.
Dawn Welles
I love this song it reminds me of me and my husband that he just past
Max L
My condolences <3 I hope you’re doing well all these years later
Terry Adams
Me and wifes song .also play it at my dads funnrel
Charla Hertzig
It also reminds me of my husband who just passed away on May 17th of this year.
Chris Drummond
Dawn Welles Sorry for your loss
dasaintsman5121
Awesome song as always from DOKKEN. \m/
Charla Hertzig
I have loved Don dokken as well as dokken. I can't stop playing this song. It is a great song. Keep up the good work Don.