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)
We Got the Power
Dropkick Murphys Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We got a cause and we know that it's right. (A cause to fight)
Yeah, we got the numbers, let's do it tonight! (The numbers, alright!)
Yeah, we got the power, got the power tonight!
We got the power tonight!
19 men were tried and fired, August 26th through 29th
For violation of rule 35
They suffered the loss of their livelihood that night.
That night!
A city in terror on the thin blue line.
A thousand-plus walked off the job to support their brothers' cause,
The anti-union prohibition clause.
Demanded loyalty at any price
On the thin blue line.
The Dropkick Murphys' song We Got the Power is a powerful anthem that speaks to the importance of unity and standing up for one's rights. Through the assertive lyrics of the song, the band champions the power of the people who refuse to be silenced by oppressive systems. The verse, "Yeah, we got the power, let's do it tonight!/We got a cause and we know that it's right" speaks directly to this idea of "power to the people," encouraging listeners to take action towards a just cause. The vocals are delivered in a commanding manner that conveys a sense of urgency and necessity, emphasizing the need for immediate action.
The song's second verse references a specific historical event, where 19 men were unjustly fired for violating "rule 35," the anti-union prohibition clause. The artist paints a vivid picture of the catastrophic impact of this event where the men or their families suffered the loss of their livelihood that night. The accompanying lyrics, "A city in terror on the thin blue line," describes the city's heightened state of fear because the police force stopped working for a short period of time, which has resulted in increased crime rates.
In addition, the song's chorus reinforces the message that the power is in the hands of the people. The repeated phrases, "We got the power, got the power tonight," emphasize the belief that change can happen when people unite.
Line by Line Meaning
Yeah, we got the power, let's do it tonight!
We have the strength and ability, so let's take action this very moment!
We got a cause and we know that it's right.
We have a purpose to fight for, and we strongly stand by it.
Yeah, we got the numbers, let's do it tonight!
We have a significant number of supporters, so let's take action right now!
Yeah, we got the power, got the power tonight!
We possess the necessary strength and ability to achieve our goals this evening!
We got the power tonight!
We have ample power and are highly capable of accomplishing great feats tonight!
19 men were tried and fired, August 26th through 29th
On the 26th through the 29th of August, a total of 19 individuals were put on trial and dismissed from their positions.
For violation of rule 35
These 19 men were found guilty of breaking rule 35.
The forbidden right to organize
Their crime was attempting to assemble and form a union, which was prohibited by their employers.
They suffered the loss of their livelihood that night.
As a consequence of their actions, these men had to endure the loss of their source of income.
That night!
This tragic occurrence took place on that very night.
A city in terror on the thin blue line.
The city was in a state of panic and fear, especially regarding the police force.
A thousand-plus walked off the job to support their brothers' cause,
Over a thousand workers went on strike to demonstrate solidarity with their fellow employees' purpose.
The anti-union prohibition clause.
It was forbidden to organize unions, as specified in the anti-union prohibition clause.
Demanded loyalty at any price
Employers expected and demanded their employees' absolute loyalty, even if it meant sacrificing their own rights and beliefs.
On the thin blue line.
This referred to the perilous and challenging position of those serving in the police force.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Gregory Harges
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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