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)

In the Streets of Boston
Dropkick Murphys Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Got a bleak perspective,
I'm a streetwise man.
Going wowhere with my life.
Careening toward an early death,

A streetwise man;
On the corner every night.
So brace-for impact,

Brace-for impact,

Brace-for impact,
Why don't you brace.
The end is coming,
No time for running.

Dealing drugs to little kids,
A streetwise man.
Selling death and making cash.
Pulling scams and moving bids,

A streetwise man.
Society has called my bluff tonight.
So brace-for impact,
Brace-for impact,

Brace-for impact,
Why don't you brace.
The end is coming,
No time for running.

The end is coming,
No time for running now!

Overall Meaning

The song "In the Streets of Boston" by Dropkick Murphys is a straightforward tale of a streetwise man who is careening towards an early death. The lyrics speak of a bleak perspective and dealing drugs to little kids, among other illegal and immoral deeds. The repeated phrase "brace-for impact" suggests that the man is aware that the end is coming, and there is no time left for running from the consequences of his actions. The chorus urges the listener to brace themselves, perhaps for an impending crash or collision, but also figuratively for the repercussions of one's choices.

The lyrics encapsulate the harsh realities of urban life, where drugs, crime, and violence are often a constant presence. The singer's tone is unapologetic, suggesting that he has accepted his fate and is resigned to his eventual downfall. This resignation is highlighted by the repetition of the phrase "brace-for impact," which becomes almost mantra-like, a reminder of the inescapable consequences of one's actions. The song's somber tone is enhanced by its slow tempo and mournful melody, which emphasize the feeling of hopelessness and despair.

Line by Line Meaning

Got a bleak perspective,
I see the world in a negative light.

I'm a streetwise man.
I have experience and knowledge of the streets.

Going nowhere with my life.
I feel directionless and purposeless.

Careening toward an early death,
I am headed towards a premature end.

A streetwise man;
I am still street smart.

On the corner every night.
I spend my nights on the streets.

So brace-for impact,
I know something bad is coming.

Why don't you brace.
Prepare yourself for what's coming.

The end is coming,
The end of my life is approaching.

No time for running.
There's no escape from what's coming.

Dealing drugs to little kids,
I sell drugs to vulnerable children.