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)
Forever
Dropkick Murphys Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
All of my dreams seem to fall by the side like a discarded thought or the day's fading light
But I know that if I could just see you tonight forever at times we may fall,
Like we all tend to do but I'll reach out and find that I've run into you
Your strength is the power that carried me through forever
Your kindness for weakness I never mistook I worried you often,
Yet you understood that life is so fleeting,
And to follow my heart there's a piece of you with me they can't tear apart forever
Forever I'll find you, forever we'll be
Forever your power and strength stays with me
The opening line of the song, "never take your loved ones for granted: they could be gone tomorrow", is a powerful statement about the fragility and unpredictability of life. It serves as a warning to listeners to appreciate the people in their lives while they still have them, as they could disappear at any moment. The lyrics describe how sometimes dreams can fall by the wayside, but the singer's faith in their loved one gives them the motivation to keep going. The chorus of "forever" emphasizes the permanence of the singer's love and admiration for this person who has helped them through difficult times. The second verse speaks more specifically about the strength and kindness of this person, describing how they never mistook kindness for weakness, and how they inspired the singer to follow their heart and not be afraid.
Overall, the lyrics of "Forever" can be interpreted as an ode to loved ones who have passed away, but also as a reminder to cherish those who are still with us. The song encourages listeners to find strength in the people closest to them and to never take them for granted. The repeated use of the word "forever" drives home the idea of lasting love and appreciation.
Line by Line Meaning
Never take your loved ones for granted: they could be gone tomorrow
Always cherish those you love, as they may not be with you forever
All of my dreams seem to fall by the side like a discarded thought or the day's fading light
Sometimes life can make our dreams feel insignificant or unattainable
But I know that if I could just see you tonight forever at times we may fall,
Being reunited with a loved one can give you the strength to overcome any obstacle
Like we all tend to do but I'll reach out and find that I've run into you
We all stumble and fall, but somehow we always find a way back to our loved ones
Your strength is the power that carried me through forever
The strength of a loved one can have a lasting impact on our lives
Your kindness for weakness I never mistook I worried you often,
I never took your kindness as a sign of weakness, even though I may have caused you worry
Yet you understood that life is so fleeting,
You recognized the impermanence of life
These troubles won't last forever inspired me truly you did from the start to not be afraid
You inspired me to be brave and face my troubles head-on, knowing that they will not last forever
And to follow my heart there's a piece of you with me they can't tear apart forever
Your guidance will always be a part of me, even if we are physically separated
Forever I'll find you, forever we'll be
Our love will last forever, no matter what obstacles we may face
Forever your power and strength stays with me
Your love and support will continue to give me strength for the rest of my life
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: ALEXANDER BARR, KENNETH W. CASEY, MATHEW E. KELLY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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