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.
This Fire
Dokken Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
There seems no point of view
Over, under, upside down
I don't know what to do
There used to be a passion
Don't know when it slipped away
I look around at everyone
It happens everyday
I need to get off
This spinnin' merry go round
I'm upside down
No sense in talkin' 'till the morning comes
I need to feel it once again
This fire is dyin'
I can't feel it burnin' inside anymore
This fire is dyin'
I can't feel the passion that we had before, anymore
contradiction, trepidation, different points of view
Sitting in a place I said I'd never go with you
Given half a chance I guess I'd throw it all away
My opinion doesn't matter when there's shades of grey
I need to know what you're lookin' for
No sense in talkin' 'till the morning comes
I need to feel it once again
This fire is dyin'
I can't feel it burnin' inside anymore
This fire is dyin'
I can't feel the passion that we had before, anymore
(guitar solo)
I need the passion to live my life
Live my dreams the way I like
Give no reasons for what I am
I try to love you the best I can
This fire is dyin'
I can't feel it burnin' inside anymore
This fire is dyin'
I can't feel the passion that we had before, anymore
The lyrics of Dokken's song This Fire express the feelings of a person who finds themselves lost in a relationship that has lost its passion. The singer reflects on the confusion and lack of direction that has led them to this point, where they don't know what to do or how to feel. They also acknowledge the different points of view and trepidation they experience when attempting to communicate with their partner.
The singer yearns to get off the "spinnin' merry-go-round" of their relationship, where they feel upside down and out of control. However, they are conflicted because they still have feelings for their partner, but the passion that used to keep the fire burning has faded away. They try to communicate with their partner, but they don't know what they are looking for, and it seems like there are too many shades of grey and uncertainty.
The guitar solo in the song conveys the emotions of the singer, which are a mix of sadness, frustration and nostalgia. They want to live their life with passion and pursue their dreams, but they can't do that unless the passion they feel for their partner is rekindled. Overall, the lyrics of This Fire speak to the struggle of maintaining a relationship and the importance of passion and communication to keep the fire burning.
Line by Line Meaning
On and on we go again
Despite the constant repetition of our situation, nothing changes.
There seems no point of view
It's difficult to find a clear perspective or understanding of our circumstances.
Over, under, upside down
Our situation is chaotic and unpredictable.
I don't know what to do
I am unable to find a solution or fix to our problems.
There used to be a passion
In the past, our love and connection was strong and exciting.
Don't know when it slipped away
I'm uncertain of the specific time or cause when our passion faded.
I look around at everyone
I observe others and see that they, too, experience similar struggles.
It happens everyday
These problems are common and occur frequently in many relationships.
I need to get off
I need to remove myself from the situation or cycle of repetition.
This spinnin' merry go round
Our relationship feels like a dizzying ride that never ends.
I'm upside down
I feel disoriented and confused.
No sense in talkin' 'till the morning comes
It's pointless to discuss our issues until we have some clarity or resolution.
I need to feel it once again
I need to experience the passion and connection we once had.
This fire is dyin'
Our love and connection is fading and coming to an end.
I can't feel it burnin' inside anymore
I am no longer emotionally invested or connected to our relationship.
I can't feel the passion that we had before, anymore
The passion and excitement we once shared is gone and cannot be rekindled.
contradiction, trepidation, different points of view
Our opposing thoughts and opinions create tension and uncertainty in our relationship.
Sitting in a place I said I'd never go with you
We find ourselves in a situation that goes against our initial expectations or intentions.
Given half a chance I guess I'd throw it all away
If I had the opportunity, I might give up on our relationship entirely.
My opinion doesn't matter when there's shades of grey
In situations where there is no clear right or wrong, my personal views are irrelevant.
I need to know what you're lookin' for
It's important for me to understand your desires and goals in our relationship.
I need the passion to live my life
The passion and excitement of our relationship is crucial to my overall happiness and fulfillment.
Live my dreams the way I like
I want the freedom to pursue my goals and aspirations without hindrance from our relationship.
Give no reasons for what I am
I don't want to justify or explain myself to others or to our relationship.
I try to love you the best I can
Despite our struggles, I am doing my best to love you and make our relationship work.
This fire is dyin'
Our love and connection is fading and coming to an end.
I can't feel it burnin' inside anymore
I am no longer emotionally invested or connected to our relationship.
I can't feel the passion that we had before, anymore
The passion and excitement we once shared is gone and cannot be rekindled.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: DON DOKKEN, JONATHAN DANIEL LEVIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind