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)
Get Up
Dropkick Murphys Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Stiff little fingers play
The kids in the Belfast were tearing it up
Jake is the punkest dude I do declare
He got a leather jacket, and the spikey hair.
"we all fall down."
So get up now.
So get up now.
Since '77 they've made music for me and you
Playing punk rock songs while the bombs they blew
Now I suspect these songs are about pain and strife
But I'll tell you this didn't waste their life.
"we all fall down."
So get up now.
"we all fall down."
So get up now.
"why don't you get up and get out!"
"why don't you get up and get out!"
"why don't you get up and get out!"
The song is called "Get Up" by Dropkick Murphys, and it's a tribute to the band Stiff Little Fingers from Belfast, Northern Ireland. The lyrics describe a trip to Belfast to see SLF play live, and the energy and passion of the young audience. The singer meets a guy named Jake, who embodies the punk ethos with his leather jacket and spikey hair. The chorus repeats the phrase "we all fall down, so get up now," which could be interpreted as a call to action for the audience to keep getting up and fighting against oppression and injustice.
The second verse acknowledges the troubled history of Northern Ireland, with references to bombs and pain. But the singer also recognizes that the music of Stiff Little Fingers had a positive impact on his life and the lives of many others. The final lines of the song are a shouted command to "get up and get out," which could be interpreted as a challenge to the audience to take action and make a change.
Overall, "Get Up" is a song that celebrates the power of punk rock to inspire and unite people in the face of adversity. It's a tribute to a band that has stood the test of time and continued to make music that resonates with fans around the world.
Line by Line Meaning
I went north to see the Stiff little fingers play
I traveled to the north to watch Stiff Little Fingers perform
The kids in the Belfast were tearing it up
The young people of Belfast were vigorously enjoying the music
Jake is the punkest dude I do declare
I believe that Jake is the most punk person I have ever met
He got a leather jacket, and the spikey hair.
Jake wears a leather jacket and has spiky hair
"we all fall down." So get up now.
We may face hardships, but we must rise up from them
"we all fall down." So get up now.
No matter how hard we fall, we must get back up and continue on
Since '77 they've made music for me and you
Since the year 1977, Dropkick Murphys have created music for their fans
Playing punk rock songs while the bombs they blew
Despite the chaos of the world around them, they continued to play their punk rock music
Now I suspect these songs are about pain and strife
I have a feeling that the lyrics are about tough times and struggles
But I'll tell you this didn't waste their life.
Regardless, they made the most of their lives and their music still resonates with people
"why don't you get up and get out!"
Encouragement to leave a difficult situation or change your life for the better
"why don't you get up and get out!"
A call to action to improve one's life
"why don't you get up and get out!"
Suggesting that remaining in a negative situation is pointless
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: KEN CASEY, MATTHEW EDWARD KELLY, RICK BARTON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@MasterGaryFan
I can’t believe there isn’t more views or comments. This album is legendary.
@peterbolt9694
That is strange indeed; 132 views on Feb. 21st 2020, 100 of which must be mine. I am smelling a conspiracy.
@justindacke3013
Absolutely and I can't believe it's been over 22 years since I bought it
@matthewwallis7355
Chicago regional local 792
@paranormalsoulcircle3176
Drop kick murphy's is legendary period not a better band all the way around helping everyone within their status to charity
@warmandcozy9779
I remember being a kid and listing to this live . Can’t bring back the past too bad.
@warmandcozy9779
Saw them live and they played this. One the time I thank god for being alive
@donhaley8553
Sucks they dont play this song live anymore. Different singer now
@johnhareiel5118
That's F*ckin Awesome man! I know just how you feel with this song! Don't You Ever Let Anyone Ever Keep You Down Man! Get Up And Get Out!
@nickchikago
Timeless