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.
Until I Know
Dokken Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
the vision through my eyes
and reinstate me --
bathe me in your sunlight
until I know -- until I know
constant motion -- kept me standing still
howling silence -- penetrate
and break my will
so re-embrace me -- the release
me one more time
until I know -- until I know
so re-embrace me -- the release
me one more time
until I know -- until I know
The lyrics to Dokken's song Until I Know are about surrendering control and finding guidance in someone or something else. The singer implores for something to take over and give them direction, using phrases like "overtake me" and "reinstate me" to express this desire. The singer also recognizes their own limitations and the conflict between their desire to move forward and their tendency to remain stagnant in "constant motion" but "standing still". They ask to be re-embraced and released again until they know.
The lyrics suggest a feeling of uncertainty and a desire for guidance, as the singer seeks to be bathed in "sunlight" and have their will "broken". This could be interpreted as a religious or spiritual longing for transcendence. Alternatively, it could be read as a plea for a mentor, friend, or lover to take control and guide the singer forward. Overall, the song is about surrendering control and finding direction in another entity.
Line by Line Meaning
Overtake me
Seize me and take control over me
seize the vision through my eyes
Understand my perspective and guide me accordingly
and reinstate me
Restore me to my former state of mind
bathe me in your sunlight
Surround me with positivity and happiness
until I know -- until I know
Guide me until I fully understand and comprehend
constant motion -- kept me standing still
Despite moving forward, I still feel stuck
howling silence -- penetrate
The deafening silence is too much to bear and overwhelming
and break my will
Causing me to lose the motivation to continue
so re-embrace me -- the release
Take me back and let me free of my worries
me one more time
Help me once again to regain my composure and perspective
until I know -- until I know
Until I understand fully and can move forward with confidence
so re-embrace me -- the release
Help me escape from this feeling of defeat
me one more time
Give me another chance to gain clarity and direction
until I know -- until I know
Until I truly understand and can take control of my life.
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Don Dokken, George Lynch, Jeff Pilson, Mick Brown
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind