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.
Night Rider
Dokken Lyrics
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I get that feeling running through my veins
You know it drives me insane
In the car, slam the door, turn the key and I'll be free
On that highway tonight
Highway bound
I'm so alive
Nightrider
Autobon
Route 61
I'll drive this road into the sun
Nightrider
My machine is tired and cool
I don't need to go to school
I'll put the hammer down and I'll leave this town
I'm racing time
The freeway just seems to unwind in front of me
And there's no return
My wheels of love
Fit me like a racing glove
Nightrider
Don't touch the brake
Don't cross the line
Don't make mistakes
'Cause you know that I'm
Nightrider
Nightrider
Here I come
The engine roars
------- and tied
I'm locked inside my doors
On a midnight run
But who knows when
Danger lies around the bend for me
With the morning sun
Pass her by
Faster than the speed of light
Nightrider
You better run
Look out now
'Cause here I come
Nightrider
Nightrider
The song Night Rider by Dokken is about the feeling of freedom and excitement that comes with driving on the open road at night. The lyrics describe the singer's love of driving and the thrill of going fast. The car represents a form of escape from the mundane, with the singer putting the hammer down and leaving town behind. The chorus refers to the singer as a Nightrider, someone who is compelled to drive fast and take risks. The lyrics warn others on the road to stay out of the way because the Nightrider is coming through.
The song has a nostalgic quality to it, evoking a sense of youthful recklessness and a desire to break free. The lyrics are simple and straightforward, emphasizing the theme of driving and the freedom it represents. The musical arrangement is energetic and propulsive, with a driving beat and a guitar riff that is reminiscent of classic rock. The vocals are passionate and emotive, conveying the sense of excitement and danger that comes with being a Nightrider on the open road.
Line by Line Meaning
It's late at night
I feel restless and alive in the middle of the night.
I get that feeling running through my veins
I feel a rush of excitement and energy coursing through my body.
You know it drives me insane
The thrill of the night and the open road is overpowering my senses.
In the car, slam the door, turn the key and I'll be free
Getting in my car, closing the door, and turning the key gives me a sense of freedom and escape.
On that highway tonight
I'm embarking on a wild ride on the open highway under the darkness of the night sky.
Highway bound
I'm headed towards the open road and limitless possibilities.
I'm so alive
The excitement of the night and the open road makes me feel more alive than ever before.
I'm shifting into overdrive
I'm pushing my car to its limits, going faster and harder than ever before.
Nightrider
I am a lone rider, traveling under the darkness of the night sky with nothing but the open road ahead of me.
Autobahn
I'm driving on a German expressway known for its high speeds and lack of speed limits.
Route 61
I'm driving on a famous highway that stretches from New Orleans to Wyoming, a symbol of the endless possibilities of the open road.
I'll drive this road into the sun
I'll drive until the sun comes up, pushing myself and my car to the limit with no clear destination in sight.
My machine is tired and cool
My car is my trusty machine that has been with me through countless adventures, and it's still cool and capable of handling more.
I don't need to go to school
I'm a free spirit who doesn't want to be tied down by responsibilities like school or work; I just want to hit the open road and let the night take me places.
I'll put the hammer down and I'll leave this town
I'm going to floor it and leave this town behind, letting the wind take me where it may.
I'm racing time
I'm trying to outrun time and live in the moment, savoring every second of the night and the freedom of the open road.
The freeway just seems to unwind in front of me
The highway seems endless, unfolding before me like a ribbon leading me to new and exciting destinations.
And there's no return
Once I hit the open road, there's no turning back; I am committed to the adventure, wherever it may take me.
My wheels of love
My car is an extension of me and I love it as if it were a person; we share a bond that only riders can understand.
Fit me like a racing glove
My car feels like it was made just for me, perfectly suiting my needs and desires in terms of speed and adventure.
Don't touch the brake
I'm not going to slow down or let anything hold me back; I'm going full throttle and enjoying every moment of the ride.
Don't cross the line
I am a daredevil and I'm willing to push the limits, but I also know when to be careful and not do anything foolish.
Don't make mistakes
I am confident in my abilities and I know how to handle my car and the challenges of the open road with skill and precision.
'Cause you know that I'm
I am a true nightrider, fearless and passionate about the open road and all the possibilities it offers.
Here I come
I'm charging ahead, ready to take on the night and the open road with all the passion and energy I can muster.
The engine roars
The sound of the engine is like music to my ears, a powerful and thrilling reminder of the energy and passion of the open road.
------- and tied
This line appears to be incomplete or indiscernible.
I'm locked inside my doors
I'm cocooned in my car, secure and safe from the dangers of the outside world, just me and my machine on this wild ride.
On a midnight run
I'm on the ultimate adventure, driving in the middle of the night with nothing but the stars and the open road to guide me.
But who knows when
The night is full of surprises, and I'm constantly aware that danger could be lurking around any corner.
Danger lies around the bend for me
I know that the open road is not always safe, and I must be vigilant and prepared for any challenges or obstacles that come my way.
With the morning sun
As the night draws to a close, I know that my adventures on the open road must also come to an end and I will have to eventually return to reality.
Pass her by
I'm going so fast that I'm leaving other cars in the dust, pushing myself and my machine to the limits of what is possible.
Faster than the speed of light
I'm moving so fast that it feels like I'm breaking the laws of physics, hurtling down the open road at breakneck speed.
You better run
I am so powerful and unstoppable on the open road that others should get out of my way or face the consequences.
Look out now
I am a force to be reckoned with, a true nightrider who is not afraid to take on any challenge or obstacle on the open road.
'Cause here I come
I am charging ahead, unafraid of anything that might stand in my way on this wild and thrilling adventure.
Nightrider
I am the ultimate nightrider, fueled by passion, energy, and a thirst for adventure on the open road.
Nightrider
This line repeats the message that I am a true nightrider, one who will continue to push myself and my machine to the limits in search of adventure and excitement on the open road.
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, NEXT DECADE ENTERTAINMENT,INC.
Written by: DON DOKKEN, GEORGE LYNCH, MICK BROWN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind