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)
The State Of Massachusetts
Dropkick Murphys Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
She was the victim of unspeakable abuses
Her husband was violent, malicious and distant
Her kids now belong to the state of Massachusetts
They've been taken away
They've been taken away
Tommy's off his head
Mother loved them both the same, at least that's what she said
I don't predict the future, I don't care about the past
Send them both to DSS, now you had your chance
The poison who stole your babies
The judges took your rights
You can have your children, or the night
I suppose you've a victim
I suspect you may have lied
If you've lost all ambition won't you give this thing a try
If you can't and you fail won't be the only loser
These kid don't stand a chance with you in their future
They've been taken away
They've been taken away
Billy was a bright one
Tommy's off his head
Mother loved them both the same, at least that's what she said
I don't predict the future, I don't care about the past
Send them both to DSS, now you had your chance
The poison who stole your babies
The judges took your rights
You can have your children, or the night
The poison stole your babies
The tenants took your rides
You can have the children, or the day
Billy was a bright one
Tommy's off his head
Mother loved them both the same, at least that's what she said
I don't predict the future, I don't care about the past
Send them both to DSS, now you had your chance
The poison stole your babies
The judges took your rights
You can have your children, or the night
"The State of Massachusetts" by Dropkick Murphys is a song that tells a story about a woman who has lost custody of her children and her struggle to regain them. The opening lines reveal that the woman has used excuses to justify her behavior and has been the victim of abuse from her violent, malicious, and distant husband. As a result, her children have been taken away and now belong to the state of Massachusetts. The chorus ominously repeats the phrase, "They've been taken away," emphasizing the tragedy of the situation.
The song then introduces two sons, Billy and Tommy. Billy is described as a bright child, whereas Tommy is "off his head." Their mother loved them both the same, but her actions have resulted in both children being taken away. The singer insists that he does not care about the past or predict the future, but knows that the woman has had her chance and it is now time to give the children a chance. The final lines offer the woman a choice: she can have her children or the night, highlighting the inevitability of facing consequences for her actions.
The song addresses serious societal issues such as domestic violence, child abuse, and custody battles. It highlights the importance of the well-being and safety of children and the responsibility of parents to put their needs before their own. Overall, "The State of Massachusetts" is a powerful song with a storytelling style that invites reflection on the consequences of one's actions.
Line by Line Meaning
She had excuses and she just used them
She justified her actions without taking responsibility for them
She was the victim of unspeakable abuses
She suffered from severe mistreatment and violence
Her husband was violent, malicious and distant
Her spouse was aggressive, spiteful and emotionally detached
Her kids now belong to the state of Massachusetts
Her children have been removed from her care and taken into state custody
They've been taken away
The children have been removed from their home and family
Billy was a bright one
Billy was intelligent and promising
Tommy's off his head
Tommy is out of control and unpredictable
Mother loved them both the same, at least that's what she said
The mother claimed to love both of her children equally, despite her actions
I don't predict the future, I don't care about the past
The artist is indifferent to what has happened before and what is to come
Send them both to DSS, now you had your chance
The artist suggests the children be placed in the care of the Department of Social Services, after the mother failed to care for them
The poison who stole your babies
The person who caused harm to the children and separated them from their mother
The judges took your rights
The court system removed the mother's parental rights
You can have your children, or the night
The mother must choose between regaining custody of her children or being alone
I suppose you've a victim
The singer acknowledges the mother's suffering
I suspect you may have lied
The singer questions the mother's honesty
If you've lost all ambition won't you give this thing a try
If the mother has given up hope, she should attempt to regain custody of her children
If you can't and you fail won't be the only loser
If the mother is unsuccessful in regaining custody, the children will also suffer the consequences
These kids don't stand a chance with you in their future
The singer believes that the mother's involvement will have a negative impact on the children's lives
The tenants took your rides
The court system removed the mother's parental rights
You can have the children, or the day
The mother must choose between regaining custody of her children or living her life without them
Lyrics © SPIRIT TWO SMA
Written by: ALEXANDER BARR, TIMOTHY JOHN BRENNAN, KENNETH WILLIAM CASEY, MATHEW EDWARD KELLY, JAMES PATRICK LYNCH, MARC JOHN ORRELL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Matilda Harding
I love how well you can hear the accordion in this version
Hastomo Degan
Yes this acordion uyyye
gExXX
Can't upvote this enough
Alabama Chicken
I would throw up if I were in the crowd
ggiorgoss12
Dude, hes voice sounds exactly the same as the studio. Not many singers can do that. Great job! HAIL!
noel cruz
Such an under appreciated band.
Guybrush Threepwood
This quality is just orgasmic, i've heard whole live albums that don't come nowhere close to this.
Xenonn
The instruments are recorded as well as the rest of the arena for the great sound
Carlos Reina
I only fight scurvy
Mick Funny
Carlos Reina are ya lookin for a fight then mate?