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.
Mirror Mirror
Dokken Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You can see everywhere I've been
You can drag me down, I'll come right back again.
You gotta hold on to every little thing
Every little bag of bones
When the love's gone you shoot from the hip
You make or break it on your own
I look at myself and say now all I have to say)
(Is)'i know who to believe in'
[Chorus]
Mirror, mirror on the wall
I'm still here, I survived it all
Mirror, mirror, tell me more.
If that was love then love is war.
I am gonna fight until I win
Another place in time, I might have given in
[Chorus]
The song "Mirror Mirror" by Dokken is a powerful and emotional anthem about resilience and survival. The lyrics speak to the challenges and hardships that people face in their lives, particularly in the realm of love and relationships. The opening lines of the song set the tone for the rest of the lyrics, as the singer implores the listener to look inside his eyes and see the journey that he has been on. He acknowledges that life can sometimes be difficult and painful, but he also asserts that he has the strength to keep going and overcome any obstacles that he might encounter along the way.
The chorus of the song features the well-known phrase "Mirror, mirror on the wall," which is a reference to the fairy tale character Snow White. In this context, the lyrics suggest that the singer is looking to his own reflection for guidance and strength. He is reminding himself that he has survived everything that life has thrown at him and that he is capable of handling whatever comes his way in the future. The final verse of the song is a declaration of the singer's determination to keep fighting and never give up, even in the face of adversity.
Overall, "Mirror Mirror" is a powerful and uplifting song that speaks to the human experience of resilience and survival. It is a reminder that, no matter what happens in life, we always have the strength within us to keep going and overcome any obstacles that might stand in our way.
Line by Line Meaning
Look inside my eyes
If you look directly into my eyes you'll be able to see every experience I've been through.
You can see everywhere I've been
By looking into my eyes you can comprehend all the experiences that have made me who I am.
You can drag me down, I'll come right back again.
No matter how many times you try to bring me down, I'll always stand up and rise again.
You gotta hold on to every little thing
You need to cherish every little aspect of life and value them equally.
Every little bag of bones
Every tiny detail that makes us unique and special, big or small, matters.
When the love's gone you shoot from the hip
Once the love is lost, you begin to act recklessly without putting much thought into your actions.
You make or break it on your own
You are the only person in control of your destiny, and only you can shape your future by your own actions.
Love takes your heart away and gives it back in pieces
When you love someone and it all falls apart, you're left with a broken heart that takes time to heal.
I look at myself and say now all I have to say
When I look in the mirror I see myself - and I know exactly what I'm capable of.
Is 'i know who to believe in'
I know which voice to trust amidst all the noise - my own.
[Chorus] Mirror, mirror on the wall
Direct addressing to the mirror.
I'm still here, I survived it all
I'm still standing, despite all that has happened in the past.
Mirror, mirror, tell me more.
Asking the mirror to reveal more about the person standing in front of it.
If that was love then love is war.
If love is as painful and tumultuous as it has been for me, then it is no less than a battle.
I am gonna fight until I win
I will never give up or surrender, even in the midst of the toughest battles.
Another place in time, I might have given in
If I were in a different place or time, I might have thrown in the towel earlier and given up.
[Chorus]
Reiterating the earlier chorus.
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DON DOKKEN, MARK SPIRO, BILLY WHITE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@kevingranquist6159
Don Dokken, Micky Dee on Drums (Motorhead); John Norum on Guitar (Europe); Billy White on guitar (Watchtower); Peter Baltes on Bass (Accept)...what a back up band!
@anarkometalshop
Micky Dee, drums on King Diamond too.
@kingofdragontown9680
He wasn't in Motörhead until after this.
@aquiviveelhorror5533
@@kingofdragontown9680 and Scorpions
@billypowell8181
Man.. takes me back! What great collaboration of musicians. To think Ozzy passed on George Lynch looking for a guitarist after Randy passed. Which I'm a huge fan of Jake E. Lee. A time when musicians still played instruments. There still talent out there, but the music, should say industry, lost its way. Technology has played a big part as well, in shaping where we are today.
Back for the Attack is 30 years old!!
Insane.
@ryansvloggingit5492
Kevin Granquist I wish this line up would get back together for one more run before we all go
@frikerjimenez
This was not a super band....this was a MEGA band...what a record!!!! Still keep the vinyl at home like a treasure.
@ForeverMPH
Every song on the album is a masterpiece!
@angelvalle6515
Some of Donnie's best 💪💪
@rogercardenas111
One of the most overlooked album in Don Dokken's back catalog. Great album, production wise, musicianship, and of course great songs. A classic in my opinion.