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)
Shattered
Dropkick Murphys Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
What's the matter with the human race
Everybody's fighting for more power and money
Braveheart's a racist
The paperboy's a junkie
And what's with the role models for all our boys and girls
Anorexic skinny monsters who seem to rule the world
They've been replaced by steroid fed Neanderthals
(Replaced by Neanderthals)
Shattered, shattered, when people aren't always what they seem
It turns out the lyrics that you live by are a fraud
When your favorite band's singer got arrested
With a tranny on the job
Meanwhile little Danny down the block's all alone
He's been abused by the Parish priest
He'd embarrassed and ashamed
Thinks he disgraced the family name
He's gonna buy a gun and settle the score
Then who you're gonna call
the local cop stalking girls down the mall
Or the world's greatest crooks from the FBI
(The crooks from the FBI)
Shattered, shattered, when people aren't always what they seem
Shattered, shattered, when the ones that we rely on break their word
Shattered, shattered, when people aren't always what they seem
Shattered, shattered, when the ones that we rely on break their word
Dad's never home, he says he's working over time
Meanwhile Mommy's head's in the sand she thinks everything is fine
She says "Now Dad's important kids, so stay out of his way"
But little did she know that the governor was gay
(She didn't know that the governor was gay)
Shattered, shattered, when people aren't always what they seem
Shattered, shattered, when the ones that we rely on break their word
Shattered! Shattered! Whoa!
Shattered! Shattered! Whoa!
Shattered! Shattered!
When the ones that we rely on break their word!
In "Shattered," Dropkick Murphys are making observations about the world we live in and the people who inhabit it. The song discusses the problems and issues that arise when people are not always what they seem, and the impact this can have on society. The lyrics mention the greed and selfishness that seems to be prevalent in our society today. The line "Everybody's fighting for more power and money" suggests that people are more concerned with personal gain than with helping others.
The song also touches on the issue of role models and the negative impact they can have on young people. The lyrics state that the ball players we loved as kids are now gone, replaced by steroid-fed Neanderthals. This suggests that our sports heroes are not necessarily the role models we would want for our children. The line "Anorexic skinny monsters who seem to rule the world" suggests that even those who are supposed to epitomize beauty can be flawed.
The song also touches on the issue of sexual abuse and the repercussions that can come from it. The lyrics mention "little Danny down the block" who has been abused by the Parish priest. This suggests that those who are supposed to provide spiritual guidance can be corrupt and harmful. Finally, the song concludes with a reference to the fact that people are often not what they seem. The lyrics say "Shattered, shattered, when the ones that we rely on break their word." This suggests that we must be careful in choosing who we put our trust in, as they may not always have our best interests at heart.
Line by Line Meaning
Something's gone wrong with the world today
The world is filled with problems and something needs to change.
What's the matter with the human race
There is something seriously wrong with humanity and our actions.
Everybody's fighting for more power and money
People are greedy and only care about gaining more power and wealth.
Braveheart's a racist
Even heroes can be flawed and hold racist beliefs.
The paperboy's a junkie
Even seemingly innocent people like a paperboy can have struggles with addiction.
And what's with the role models for all our boys and girls
The people we look up to as role models are not always setting a good example.
Anorexic skinny monsters who seem to rule the world
Society puts too much emphasis on unrealistic standards of beauty.
The ball players you loved as a kid are gone
Sports heroes from the past are no longer around.
They've been replaced by steroid fed Neanderthals
Today's athletes are often accused of using steroids and being less honorable than past players.
(Replaced by Neanderthals)
This is a repeating refrain emphasizing that things have changed for the worse.
It turns out the lyrics that you live by are a fraud
People often profess to live by certain values, but their actions prove otherwise.
When your favorite band's singer got arrested
Even musicians we admire can end up getting in trouble with the law.
With a tranny on the job
The singer was caught with a transgender person which may have been seen as scandalous.
Meanwhile little Danny down the block's all alone
There are many people in our communities who are struggling and alone.
He's been abused by the Parish priest
Even some trusted people in religious institutions can be abusing their authority.
He'd embarrassed and ashamed
People who are abused often feel a sense of shame and responsibility.
Thinks he disgraced the family name
Danny feels like his abuse has brought shame to his family.
He's gonna buy a gun and settle the score
Danny is so filled with anger towards his abuser that he is considering violence.
Then who you're gonna call
If someone decides to take matters into their own hands, there is no clear solution.
the local cop stalking girls down the mall
Even those in authority like police officers can be corrupt and engaging in immoral behavior.
Or the world's greatest crooks from the FBI
Even the FBI has had their fair share of corruption and scandal.
(The crooks from the FBI)
Repeating the refrain, emphasizing that even those we are meant to trust can break that trust.
Dad's never home, he says he's working over time
Many parents prioritize their work over their family.
Meanwhile Mommy's head's in the sand she thinks everything is fine
Some people choose to ignore their problems and pretend everything is okay.
She says "Now Dad's important kids, so stay out of his way"
Some people prioritize their career and success over their family and personal relationships.
But little did she know that the governor was gay
People in power often have secrets that are kept hidden from the public.
(She didn't know that the governor was gay)
Repeating the refrain to emphasize that there is often more to a situation than meets the eye.
Shattered, shattered, when people aren't always what they seem
This refrain is repeated throughout the song and highlights how many people are not living up to the person they present themselves as.
Shattered, shattered, when the ones that we rely on break their word
Even those we trust and rely on to be pillars of our community can break that trust and let us down.
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: FELICIA BARTON, RYAN OCHSNER, STEPHANIE LEWIS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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