The Donots formed in 1993 in Ibbenbüren, Germany.

The name of the ba… Read Full Bio ↴The Donots formed in 1993 in Ibbenbüren, Germany.

The name of the band came into being by chance: The bassist of the band, Jan-Dirk Poggemann wanted to name the band like the pastries donuts, but he wrote the name the wrong way by mistake. The other band members liked the name, because they found their philosophy in the name (donots = do nothing, like slackers), so they retained the name. Very rarely the band calls themselves "Ibbtown Rockers" because of their provenance.

The US edition of “Wake The Dogs” features 14 new songs from the punk-veterans, plus 2 additional bonus tracks not included in the original German release, and was released on OK! Good Records.

Members
Ingo Knollmann (Vocalist) - since 1993
Guido Knollman (Guitar) - since 1993
Jan Dirk Poggemann (Bass Guitar) - since 1993
Eike Herwig (Drums) - since 1995
Alex Siebenbiedel (Guitar) - since 1996

Discography
1996: Pedigree Punk
1998: Tonight's Karaoke-Contest Winners
1999: Better Days Not Included
2001: Pocketrock
2002: Amplify the Good Times
2002: We're Not Gonna Take It
2004: Got the Noise
2005: 10 Years of Noise (DVD)
2006: The Story So Far: Ibbtown Chronicles
2008: Coma Chameleon
2010: The Long Way Home
2012: Wake The Dogs

Needful Things
Donots Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Oh well, you kick me and you caress me
You condemn me and you confess to me
You destroy me and you build me up again
And living with you is like living in a lions den
You lead me and you ditch me
You reveal me and you twist me
You inspire me and make me
Forget everything

But living with you is like living in a lions den
And so i'm sitting by myself
And i'm wondering 'bout my mental health
And i don't know why i always come back to you
Is it for the pain or the thrill
Can it be that emotions kill or is it the smell
Could it be that my whole world breaks into?(Yup!!)
Can't turn away from you

Addicted to the hell you put
Me through...away from you

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Donots' song Needful Things talk about being in an emotionally abusive and tumultuous relationship, one where the partner constantly abuses and then uplifts the other person. The lyrics describe how this relationship feels like living in a lion's den, a place where one is always in danger and never truly at ease. The partner leads and ditches the person, reveals and twists them, and inspires them to forget everything. Despite all the emotional abuse and distress, the person can't turn away from this partner, they are addicted to the hell this partner puts them through.

The lyrics showcase the power dynamics at play in an abusive relationship. The abuser wields complete control over the other person, leaving them feeling helpless and unsure of themselves. The constant push and pull, the abuse and uplift, becomes a cycle that can be challenging to break free from. The lyrics highlight how an abusive partner can make the other person feel addicted to the toxic and destructive relationship, leading to a vicious cycle of pain and hurt.

Overall, the lyrics to Donots' song Needful Things provide a powerful and insightful commentary on the devastating impact of emotional abuse and the challenging nature of breaking free from an abusive relationship.

Line by Line Meaning

Oh well, you kick me and you caress me
You have contradictory behavior towards me. Sometimes you are violent and sometimes you are kind towards me.

You condemn me and you confess to me
You judge me harshly and then admit your guilt to me.

You destroy me and you build me up again
You break me down completely and then help me pick up the pieces to rebuild myself.

And living with you is like living in a lions den
Being with you is dangerous and unpredictable like being in a lion's den.

You lead me and you ditch me
You guide me along and then suddenly abandon me without warning.

You reveal me and you twist me
You expose my vulnerabilities and then manipulate them to your advantage.

You inspire me and make me forget everything
You motivate me and distract me from all other issues.

But living with you is like living in a lions den
Being with you is dangerous and unpredictable like being in a lion's den.

And so i'm sitting by myself
I am alone and in contemplation.

And i'm wondering 'bout my mental health
I am questioning my own sanity.

And i don't know why i always come back to you
I am unsure why I keep returning to you despite your treatment.

Is it for the pain or the thrill
I am questioning the reasons behind my attraction to you whether it is for the pain or exhilaration.

Can it be that emotions kill or is it the smell
I am unsure if my own feelings are leading me towards my own destruction or if it is something about you that draws me towards you.

Could it be that my whole world breaks into?(Yup!!)
I am considering the possibility that everything in my life may fall apart because of you.

Can't turn away from you
I can't resist being near you.

Addicted to the hell you put
I am hooked on the pain and misery you inflict upon me.

Me through...away from you
Everything you put me through makes it impossible to leave you even though I know I should.

Contributed by Aaron R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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TRACKS