Dropkick Murphys is a punk rock band formed in Quincy, Massachusetts, Unite… Read Full Bio ↴Dropkick Murphys is a punk rock band formed in Quincy, Massachusetts, United States in 1996. First playing together in the basement of a friend's barbershop, the band made a name for itself because of its relentless touring and for its annual St. Patrick's Day weekend shows in Boston. The band's songs often deal with Celtic influences, and the working-class environment in which the band members grew up.

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)

Citizen C.I.A.
Dropkick Murphys Lyrics

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Calling all Americans of above-average intelligence
College graduates, apply today
Come decimate dictatorships and overthrow regimes
In exotic far-off places the vacation of your dreams
You'll assemble puppet governments and play the hand of God
We're an equal-opportunity crime fighting squad

Citizen C.I.A., Citizen C.I.A

Now I've trained an army for my kids to fight one day
We'll teach them all of our secrets, and then we'll walk away
We're knee-deep in guerillas, yeah the party never stops
United States of America, undercover cop

Citizen C.I.A., Citizen C.I.A

You said I'd be working with Sydney, man this sucks

Overall Meaning

The song Citizen C.I.A. by Dropkick Murphys is a critical commentary on the United States government's Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and its clandestine operations in other countries. The lyrics call for Americans with above-average intelligence and college education to join the agency and overthrow regimes in exotic far-off places, making it sound like a glamorous vacation. However, the reality is that they will effectively "assemble puppet governments and play the hand of God." The song exposes the hypocrisy of American foreign policy, which claims to promote democracy and freedom while engaging in covert operations and interfering in the affairs of other countries.

The chorus of the song is the repeated refrain of "Citizen C.I.A." which sarcastically invokes the image of the ideal American citizen supporting the government and its covert operations. The second verse reveals that these covert operations are being carried out not just by professionals, but also by ordinary people, who pass on the knowledge and training to their children. This hints at a cycle of violence that is perpetuated by American foreign policy and the CIA.

Overall, Citizen C.I.A. is a scathing critique of American imperialism and the foreign policies that support it. It highlights the agency's influence and control over other countries, exposing the false narrative of promoting democracy and freedom.

Line by Line Meaning

Calling all Americans of above-average intelligence
We are seeking out individuals who are intellectually superior than most

College graduates, apply today
We are specifically interested in hiring individuals who have completed undergraduate studies

Come decimate dictatorships and overthrow regimes
Participate in the elimination of tyrannical governments and take down their regimes

In exotic far-off places the vacation of your dreams
This is your chance to travel and tour remarkable, faraway destinations

You'll assemble puppet governments and play the hand of God
Assist in the formation of governments that will do our bidding

We're an equal-opportunity crime fighting squad
Everyone is welcome to join us in pursuit of justice

Citizen C.I.A., Citizen C.I.A
All hail the Citizen CIA

Now I've trained an army for my kids to fight one day
Prepared my own children for the day they will defend our nation

We'll teach them all of our secrets, and then we'll walk away
Transfer our knowledge and leave the rest up to them

We're knee-deep in guerillas, yeah the party never stops
We are fully immersed in the insurgencies, and our job never truly ends

United States of America, undercover cop
Our nation, operating incognito