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.
Upon Your Lips
Dokken Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
There's no point in living up among the clouds
Tiny innuendoes circling your mind
Come to find out you've been left so far
Left so far behind
And all the time you thought it's turning out so well
You turned your back on me
(that's where I'll go if you want me to)
I'll see you there
(I'll see you there when your life is through)
I'll see you there
Soaring higher now you're bound to come unglued
You're supported by a love that was untrue
Write your story on a single grain of sand
Heed the warning when you let go
Let go of my hand
A promised kiss upon your lips for not to tell
You turned your back on me
And wished me straight to hell
(that's where I'll go if you want me to)
I'll see you there
(I'll see you there when your life is through)
I'll see you there
So write your story on a single grain of sand
Heed the warning when you let go
Let go of my hand
A promised kiss upon your lips for not to tell
You turned your back on me
And wished me straight to hell
(that's where I'll go if you want me to)
I'll see you there
(I'll see you there when your life is through)
I'll see you there
(that's where I'll go if you want me to)
I won't care
(I'll see you there when your life is through)
I'll see you there
I'll see you there
The song "Upon Your Lips" by Dokken contains lyrics that reveal deep emotional pain and hurt in a relationship. The opening lines suggest that the singer feels misunderstood and ignored by his partner, who may be living in a world of illusions or fantasies instead of acknowledging the reality of their situation. The use of "tiny innuendoes circling your mind" implies that the partner's thoughts and feelings are unclear or ambiguous, creating confusion and doubt in the singer's mind.
As the song progresses, it becomes clear that the singer has been betrayed or abandoned by his partner, who has turned their back on him and even wished him "straight to hell." However, despite the hurt and anger, the singer holds a promise of a kiss upon their lips if they don't tell. The line "Write your story on a single grain of sand" suggests a fleeting and ephemeral quality to their relationship, something that can be easily blown away or forgotten.
The final lines of the song reveal a sense of resignation or acceptance, as the singer says they will see their partner in hell when their life is through. The repetition of "I'll see you there" at the end may suggest a sense of inevitability or fate, that regardless of what happens in their lives, they will always be connected by their past. The emotions conveyed in "Upon Your Lips" speak to the complexity of love, betrayal, and loss, and how they can shape our lives in profound ways.
Line by Line Meaning
There's no reason you can't understand me now
I have made myself clear to you and there should be no confusion regarding my intentions or feelings.
There's no point in living up among the clouds
It's pointless to avoid the reality of our situation and live in a dream world or delusion.
Tiny innuendoes circling your mind
You are over-analyzing small, insignificant details and it is clouding your judgement.
Come to find out you've been left so far
You have been left behind and are not keeping up with the changes that have taken place.
Left so far behind
You are so far behind that catching up may not be possible or worth the effort.
And all the time you thought it's turning out so well
You were blissfully unaware of the problems that were developing in our relationship.
You turned your back on me
You betrayed my trust and loyalty by not supporting me in my time of need.
And wished me straight to hell
You harbored negative emotions towards me and wanted me to suffer.
(that's where I'll go if you want me to)
You have the power to destroy me, and if that's what you desire, I will let it happen.
I'll see you there
I am aware of the potential consequences of my actions, and I am willing to face them head-on.
Soaring higher now you're bound to come unglued
You may feel like you are on top of the world, but eventually, the truth will be revealed and you will fall apart.
You're supported by a love that was untrue
Your success is based on lies or deceit, and it will not last.
Write your story on a single grain of sand
Your existence and legacy are fragile and can be wiped away in an instant.
Heed the warning when you let go
Be cautious of the repercussions when you decide to move on.
Let go of my hand
You can no longer rely on me for support or guidance.
A promised kiss upon your lips for not to tell
I made you a promise of secrecy, and I intend to keep it.
I won't care
Even if the outcome is unpleasant, I will not let it affect me emotionally.
(I'll see you there when your life is through)
I will be there until the end, whether it's for better or worse.
I'll see you there
Regardless of the circumstances, I will face them fearlessly.
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
spartan squid
This song kicks so much ass, I just wish there was an HQ version.
Marc Lee
nice post, thank you
tlansing18
This is not off of Erase the slate
Jamison Dean
It was on the Japanese edition along with "Sign of the times"...Another great song! Both of em are great!