The band put out a series of EPs and was signed by Rancid frontman Tim Armstrong's label Hellcat Records. In 1998, the Dropkick Murphys released their first full-length album, Do Or Die. Lead singer Mike McColgan, who left the band later that year, was replaced by The Bruisers lead singer Al Barr. In 1999, they released their followup album, The Gang's All Here. In 2001, they released their third album, Sing Loud, Sing Proud. The album showcased the group’s developing sound and included collaborations with The Pogues' frontman Shane MacGowan and Cock Sparrer's Colin McFaull. It also marked a significant lineup change for the band. Original guitarist Rick Barton was replaced by former The Ducky Boys' guitarists James Lynch and Marc Orrell; instruments were added and played by new members Ryan Foltz and Spicy McHaggis.
The Dropkick Murphys' next album, Blackout, was released in 2003. The new album included the radio hit "Walk Away," as well as the songs "Fields of Athenry" and "The Dirty Glass." The latter features female vocals by Stephanie Dougherty (Deadly Sins). Around the same time, the band released a re-working of the Boston Red Sox anthem "Tessie," which then became the official song of the team's 2004 World Series run. "Tessie" was also used throughout the major motion picture Fever Pitch and was included on the EA Sports MVP Baseball 2005 soundtrack. In 2005, the Dropkick Murphys released Singles Collection Volume 2, featuring covers, B-sides, and other material that didn't make it onto previous albums, and the band contributed a recording of "We Got the Power" to Rock Against Bush, Volume 2.
The Dropkick Murphys' fifth studio album, The Warrior's Code, was released on June 21, 2005. It features the singles "Sunshine Highway," "The Walking Dead," "The Warrior's Code," as well as the bonus track "Tessie." It also includes a song that was inspired by a Woody Guthrie poem, which the group named "I'm Shipping Up to Boston." The song was featured in Martin Scorsese's 2006 film The Departed. Scorsese mentioned the band in an interview after winning his first Oscar.
The Dropkick Murphys released their sixth studio album, The Meanest of Times, on September 18, 2007. It was their first release not on the Hellcat Records label but instead on the label Born & Bred.
In early 2008, Marc Orrell left the band. Thereupon Tim Brennan, who had been playing mandolin, accordion, banjo, tin whistle, and guitar for the band since 2004, replaced Orrell on lead guitar. Tim's previous musical duties were taken over by Jeff DaRosa, former member of The Vigilante and Pinkerton Thugs.
In September of 2022, This Machine Still Kills Fascists was released. It's an acoustic album with unused words and lyrics written by Woody Guthrie, selected and given to the band to use by Guthrie's daughter Nora. It did not feature Al Barr, who was on hiatus for family matters.
The band will release their twelfth album, Okemah Rising, on May 12, 2023. The album was recorded during the same sessions for This Machine Still Kills Facists and like that album will feature songs using the unused lyrics by Woody Guthrie. The album was preceded by the singles "I Know How it Feels" on March 1, 2023, and "Gotta Get to Peekskill" (featuring Violent Femmes) on March 30, 2023.
Studio albums
Do or Die (1998)
The Gang's All Here (1999)
Sing Loud, Sing Proud! (2001)
Blackout (2003)
The Warrior's Code (2005)
The Meanest of Times (2007)
Going Out in Style (2011)
Signed and Sealed in Blood (2013)
11 Short Stories of Pain & Glory (2017)
Turn Up That Dial (2021)
This Machine Still Kills Fascists (2022)
Okemah Rising (2023)
Breakdown
Dropkick Murphys Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ripping up the turnpike, Johnny chase down my eye
Always in a hurry when i'm doing what I think is right
Johnny tells myself that I'm breaking down tonight
over and over and over again!
[Chorus]
won't help me take my hand?
everybody needs someone to help them off the ground
it's friday night and i'm coming down blue and right
trying not to care to make it to the battle damn light
This mess in the mirror they're coming up fast behind
Yeah its another night car in the breakdown lane
over and over and over again!
[Chorus]
won't you help me understand?
won't help me take my hand?
everybody needs someone to help them off the ground
[x3]
over and over and over again!
help them off the ground
over and over and over again!
try to keep ourselves from breaking down tonight!
In the opening lines of "Breakdown," we are introduced to the lead singer cruising down Highway 95, seemingly carefree and living in the moment. However, as the song progresses, we learn that this carefree attitude is just a cover-up for internal struggles. The lyrics suggest that there is a constant urgency in the singer's life, a feeling that everything they do has to be done quickly and right. This intense pressure results in them breaking down repeatedly, hence the repetition in the chorus, "over and over and over again!"
The chorus itself is a plea for help, asking for someone to help the singer understand why they keep breaking down and to help them get back on their feet. It's a poignant reminder that no matter how tough we may seem on the outside, everyone needs to be rescued at some point. The song then closes with the singer acknowledging that they cannot avoid these breakdowns completely, but they will try their best to keep themselves from falling apart.
Line by Line Meaning
Can't you see me cruising down highway 95
I am driving on a popular road towards my destination
Ripping up the turnpike, Johnny chase down my eye
I am driving fast on the expressway while looking out for Johnny
Always in a hurry when i'm doing what I think is right
I feel that rushing is necessary when I am doing the right thing
Johnny tells myself that I'm breaking down tonight
Johnny is warning me that I may experience a mental breakdown
won't you help me understand?
I need someone to help me comprehend
won't help me take my hand?
I wish someone could assist me in overcoming my struggles
everybody needs someone to help them off the ground
Everyone requires a support system to get through difficult times
it's friday night and i'm coming down blue and right
It is Friday evening and I am feeling sad, but I am on track with my responsibilities
trying not to care to make it to the battle damn light
I am trying to avoid worrying about a long journey ahead
This mess in the mirror they're coming up fast behind
The problems I am dealing with seem to be quickly getting worse
Yeah its another night car in the breakdown lane
There is once again a vehicle stuck in the breakdown lane on this evening
help them off the ground
Helping people overcome obstacles is crucial
try to keep ourselves from breaking down tonight!
We must strive to avoid any mental breakdowns
Contributed by Emily T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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