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.
Judgment Day
Dokken Lyrics
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All the lies, broken truth, they don't understand
Mesmerized by the world if they only knew
You kept your soul in a place that was safe for you
what will you say
When the angels come for you
What will you say
don't want to live without you
You are my world, you are my life
Don't wanna be without you
On judgment day
touch your heart, take it out, so they all can see
Now exposed to the fate of your misery
I'll sedate all the fears that you say are true
Now exposed to the ones that don't care for you
what will you say
When the angels come for you
What will you say
On judgment day
don't want to live without you
You are my world, you are my life
Don't wanna be without you
On judgment day
(solo)
what will you say
When the angels come for you
What will you say
On judgment day
don't want to live without you
You are my world, you are my life
Don't wanna be without you
On judgment day
Don't want to live without you
You are my world, you are my life
Don't wanna be without you
On judgment day
(end solo)
The lyrics of Dokken's "Judgment Day" seem to be contemplating the idea of being judged by angels on one's final day. The first stanza speaks of saying a prayer for the day one started their journey, possibly acknowledging that life is a journey with a clear end point. The second stanza questions what would be said when angels come for judgement and the corresponding chorus expresses a desire to not live without the love of their life.
The next stanza paints a picture of revealing oneself to the world and feeling exposed in their vulnerability. The following stanza speaks of suppressing the fears that hold one back and confronting the things that do not care for them. The chorus repeats, underlining a powerful need for the love and presence of the one they hold dear, even on their final day. The song ends with a solo guitar performance that echoes the song's themes of vulnerability and introspection.
Line by Line Meaning
Say a prayer, for the day, that you first began
Start with a prayer; ask for forgiveness from the day you first started.
All the lies, broken truth, they don't understand
People don't understand the damage caused by your lies and broken truth.
Mesmerized by the world if they only knew
The world appears beautiful to those who don't know the reality.
You kept your soul in a place that was safe for you
You protected your soul by keeping it in a secure place.
What will you say When the angels come for you What will you say On judgment day
When the angel comes to take you away, what will you say on Judgment Day?
Don't want to live without you You are my world, you are my life Don't wanna be without you On judgment day
You don't want to be separated from the love of your life even if it means on Judgment Day.
Touch your heart, take it out, so they all can see Now exposed to the fate of your misery
Open up your heart and let people see what's making you miserable.
I'll sedate all the fears that you say are true Now exposed to the ones that don't care for you
I can help you overcome your fears and show you the ones who don't care for you.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: DON DOKKEN, JONATHAN DANIEL LEVIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind