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)
Caught In A Jar
Dropkick Murphys Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In every man's life,
Where decisions have to be made
Whether to toil, to labor,
Or just plain piss
Your days away, away, away!
Got a funny feeling that my times are caught in a jar
Note to christ and everyone else, my times are caught in a jar
Satan's grin is baring down on me
Up in the morn', here comes the day,
God knows I hate it this way
When I'm in the casket life
Fighting the wife, neglecting the kids
Spending time on ridiculous bids
The four walls are closing in
Got a funny feeling that my times are caught in a jar
Madness and insanity have arrived
Note to christ and everyone else, my times are caught in a jar
Satan's grin is baring down on me
Got a funny feeling that my times are caught in a jar
Madness and insanity have arrived
Note to christ and everyone else, my times are caught in a jar
Satan's grin is baring down on me
Got a funny feeling that my times are caught in a jar
Madness and insanity have arrived
Note to christ and everyone else, my times are caught in a jar
Satan's grin is baring down on me
Got a funny feeling that my times are caught in a jar
Madness and insanity have arrived
Note to christ and everyone else, my times are caught in a jar
Satan's grin is baring down on me
Still got a funny feeling that my times are caught in a jar
Madness and insanity have arrived
In this song, the singer muses about the passage of time and the choices he has made in his life. He acknowledges the decision to work hard or waste time, ultimately feeling as though his time is "caught in a jar." The lyrics suggest a sense of frustration and feeling trapped, as the singer seems to be stuck in a routine that he dislikes. He also references themes of madness, insanity, and the influence of Satan on his life. These ideas further hint at his feelings of being trapped and unable to escape his circumstances. The repetition of the chorus drives home the idea that his current state of mind is overwhelming and all-consuming.
Line by Line Meaning
Now there comes a time
There comes a point in time
In every man's life,
In the life of every man
Where decisions have to be made
Where choices have to be taken
Whether to toil, to labor,
Whether to work or just work hard,
Or just plain piss
Or waste time doing nothing productive
Your days away, away, away!
Pass your days doing nothing and ending up nowhere
Got a funny feeling that my times are caught in a jar
I feel trapped and helpless
Madness and insanity have arrived
I'm losing my mind from this feeling of entrapment
Note to christ and everyone else, my times are caught in a jar
I'm telling everyone including Christ that I feel trapped and helpless
Satan's grin is baring down on me
I feel like I'm being watched by the devil
Up in the morn', here comes the day,
Waking up in the morning and starting another day
God knows I hate it this way
I really dislike the way things are
When I'm in the casket life
This boring life feels like being trapped in a casket
Fighting the wife, neglecting the kids
Fighting with my spouse and not paying enough attention to my children
Spending time on ridiculous bids
Wasting time on pointless endeavors
The four walls are closing in
I feel trapped and closed in by the confines of my life
Still got a funny feeling that my times are caught in a jar
I'm still feeling trapped and helpless
Madness and insanity have arrived
I'm starting to lose my mind from this feeling of entrapment
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: KEN CASEY, MATTHEW EDWARD KELLY, RICK BARTON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@darkNik910
best version
@bollweevil1976
Hell yes Al Barr does a damn good job singing this song I love that growl in his voice ✌️