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.
I Don't Mind
Dokken Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I was sinking in a storm
I thought the world had left me
now I know that I was wrong
It's Resurrection Day
gonna leave it all behind
gonna clear my mind of you
gonna pave my own road
I don't mind -what you want
I don't mind when your
hounds begin to beg
I don't mind when you
kick the ones that fall
I don't mind - I don't mind at all
It's better to be lonely
than to live with all your pain
I was walking through the desert
I was calling out your name
but I never got an answer
still I loved you just the same
the sun began to burn me
reminded me of all those days
I don't mind -what you want
I don't mind when your
hounds begin to beg
I don't mind when you
kick the ones that fall
I don't mind - I don't mind at all
When you leave me for another
I won't be calling out your name
now that burning sun is setting
only one thing left to say
I don't mind -what you want
I don't mind when your
hounds begin to beg
I don't mind when you
kick the ones that fall
I don't mind - I don't mind
The lyrics to Dokken’s song “I Don’t Mind” describe the emotional journey of a person who has experienced a tumultuous relationship and is now ready to move on. The song begins by describing the person's previous state of mind, where they were lost and sinking in a storm without their significant other. However, the person realizes that they were wrong to think that the world had left them and that they can pave their own road without their partner. They want to leave everything behind on Resurrection Day and forget about their partner to start a new life.
The chorus repeats the phrase, "I don't mind," and it seems like a declaration of self-love and independence. They do not mind what their partner wants, how they behave, or how they treat others. The person now knows that it is better to be lonely than to stay with someone who causes them pain. They searched for their partner in the desert, but they never heard an answer to their calls. The burning sun reminded them of all the days they had suffered in their relationship.
The song's message is empowering; the person has gained the strength to move on, and they do not care about how their partner chooses to live their life. It is a reminder to value yourself and to not compromise on your well-being for the sake of someone else.
Line by Line Meaning
I was lost without you
Without you, I felt like I had no sense of direction and was wandering aimlessly.
I was sinking in a storm
My life felt like it was in chaos, and I was struggling to stay afloat.
I thought the world had left me
I felt abandoned by everyone, and like nobody cared about me.
now I know that I was wrong
But I now realize that my negative thoughts and emotions were inaccurate and not reflective of reality.
It's Resurrection Day
It's a new beginning, a fresh start.
gonna leave it all behind
I am going to move on from the past and start anew.
gonna clear my mind of you
I am going to forget about you, and not let you continue to have any power over me.
gonna pave my own road
I will create my own path, and not let others control my decisions.
It's better to be lonely
It is preferable to be alone than to be with someone who causes emotional pain and turmoil.
than to live with all your pain
The emotional pain of a bad relationship is not worth enduring.
I was walking through the desert
I felt lost and alone, with nobody to turn to.
I was calling out your name
I thought you were the solution to my problems and was desperately trying to get your attention.
but I never got an answer
You were never there for me, even though I was always there for you.
still I loved you just the same
Despite being neglected, I still had feelings for you.
the sun began to burn me
The reality of the situation started to hit me, causing emotional pain.
reminded me of all those days
The heat of the sun brought back memories of all the difficult times I had with you.
When you leave me for another
In the event that you move on with someone else,
I won't be calling out your name
I won't be desperate for your attention anymore.
now that burning sun is setting
As time and distance from you goes by, the pain of the relationship is diminishing.
only one thing left to say
There is only one final message for you.
I don't mind -what you want
I don't care about your desires or needs anymore.
I don't mind when your hounds begin to beg
I don't care when people try to persuade me to reconcile with you.
I don't mind when you kick the ones that fall
I don't care if you treat others poorly, including those who have been hurt by our relationship.
I don't mind - I don't mind at all
I am not affected by you anymore, and am moving on with my life.
Contributed by Aria R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@vigilantvoice9778
I don’t know if anyone else is here in 2024, but I am in February! I remember jamming to Dokken as a kid years ago, and it never gets old!
@robertchutonogbanua2564
I saw Dokken in concert in 1985! They opened for Twisted Sister at the Spectrum in Philadelphia. Dokken blew Twisted Sister away that night.
@Alicia-rv5yg
😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊
@Alicia-rv5yg
😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊
@Alicia-rv5yg
😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊
@Who-Dey22
I'm here brother March 2024! Rokken w Dokken🎸!
@vickywilliams2195
I'm 57 ans still rocking to the Dokken! Thank you Don, Jeff, George and wild Mick!!
@pjf7395
Man, it's 2023 and this song is STILL kicking ass. The guitar riffs, the vocals, the energy, it all just kicks so much ass. I love 80's metal and this song encapsulates everything that made the 80's so damn awesome. How has this video only got 10 million views? It freakin' ROCKS. Thank you Dokken!!!!
@roosterdope6778
First time today ever hearing about them. Saw their name mentioned in a Facebook post about Guns N’ Roses
@user-ob7vn3kz6p
The stadium 🏟️ hooks too... Loved them since Tooth and nail....