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.
Live To Rock
Dokken Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And I feel I'm moving too slow
Backwards and forwards
I don't know which way I should go
There's a solution
To make all your feelings alright
The music's here waiting
So come on and get it tonight
Rock to live
It's all you got when
You're down on the skids
Live to rock
Rock to live
One way or another
Survive until the end
Over and under
I'm feeling the thunder take hold
Feeling it flow through my veins
Rock will never get old
There's a solution
To make all your feelings alright
The music's here waiting
So come on and get it tonight
Live to rock
Rock to live
It's all you got when
You're down on the skids
Live to rock
Rock to live
One way or another
Survive until the end
Live to rock
Rock to live
It's all you got when
You're down on the skids, yeah
Live to rock
Rock to live
One way or another
Survive until the end
Live to rock
Rock to live
Til the end
Til the end
Til the end
Live to rock
Rock to live
In the song "Live To Rock" by Dokken, the singer is feeling overwhelmed and unsure of which direction to take in life. He is feeling stagnant and stuck, not knowing which way to turn. However, he believes that there is a solution to his problems and that solution is music. He believes that rock music is the answer to all of his problems, as it makes everything feel alright. The singer implores his listeners to come and join him in rocking out and forgetting the troubles of the world.
The chorus of the song emphasizes the idea that living to rock and rocking to live is all that really matters, especially when times get tough. When someone is down on their luck, all they have is their passion for music and the desire to keep fighting until the end. The overall message of the song seems to be one of hope and perseverance in the face of adversity, as well as the power of music to make everything feel better.
Line by Line Meaning
Run out of breath
Feeling fatigued and exhausted
And I feel I'm moving too slow
Feeling like time is slipping away
Backwards and forwards
Uncertain and indecisive about direction
I don't know which way I should go
Lost and unsure of what path to take
There's a solution
There is a remedy
To make all your feelings alright
To soothe and comfort one's emotions
The music's here waiting
The power of music is readily available
So come on and get it tonight
Take advantage of the opportunity and enjoy the music now
Live to rock
Devote one's life to the music
Rock to live
The music gives purpose to life
It's all you got when
The music is everything when...
You're down on the skids
Life has hit rock bottom
One way or another
No matter what happens
Survive until the end
Endure and make it through to the conclusion
Over and under
Withstanding and enduring various obstacles
I'm feeling the thunder take hold
The music's power is captivating and impactful
Feeling it flow through my veins
The music is invigorating and energizing
Rock will never get old
The music will always endure and remain relevant
Til the end
Until the very conclusion
Lyrics © NEXT DECADE ENTERTAINMENT,INC., Universal Music Publishing Group, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: DON DOKKEN, GEORGE LYNCH, JUAN CARL CROUCIER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Razorider1
in all of metal this song has one of the greatest guitar solos of all time. That includes glam, thrash, death, grind, and all other genres. Lynch is in his own realm, like a god amongst Olympus. I cannot stress enough how #%@#%#%# incredible this solo is. I first heard this in 1986 or so and here I am commenting in 2016. That in itself is a testament to the pyre of genius by Lynch. Don Sounds great too.
you317
Love this song. My favorite one by Dokken. It's a "feel good" track that always makes me happy.
Hugo Alejandro Pinilla Calderón
Great song. I like it very much too. It´s my favourite song of that Dokken álbum.
Brady H
I’ve spent hours and hours top down, smoking, driving like a maniac, screaming the lyrics to this song at nuclear volume
MultiDannyboy89
Godly solo!!!!!! I'm in guitar heaven!!!!!!
banger107
One way or another, survive untill the end!
banger107
GFY!
metalheadneji
DOKKEN ROCKS!!!!! I also like the We're Illegal version.
Sebastian L
the lick between 2:23 - 2:24 was stolen by Warren DeMartini and used twice in "In your direction" and once in "You're in trouble"!!! Anyway, I LOVE both players!
fordgt402
Rock On!