The Misfits disbanded in 1983, and Glenn Danzig went on to form Samhain and then Danzig. Several albums of reissued and previously unreleased material were issued after the group's dissolution, and their music later became influential to punk rock, heavy metal, and alternative rock. After a series of legal battles with Danzig, Only and Doyle regained the rights to record and perform as the Misfits. They formed a new version of the band in 1995 with singer Michale Graves and drummer Dr. Chud. This incarnation of Misfits had more of a heavy metal sound, and released the albums American Psycho (1997) and Famous Monsters (1999) before dissolving in 2000. Jerry Only then took over lead vocals and recruited former Black Flag guitarist Dez Cadena and former Ramones drummer Marky Ramone for a Misfits 25th anniversary tour.
This lineup released an album of cover songs titled Project 1950 and toured for several years. In 2005, Marky was replaced by Robo, who had played with Black Flag in the early 1980s and had also previously been Misfits' drummer from 1982 to 1983. This lineup released a single titled "Land of the Dead" in 2009. The Misfits' lineup of Only, Cadena, and drummer Eric "Chupacabra" Arce released a new album titled The Devil's Rain in October 2011. In 2015, it was announced that Cadena would be taking a break from music after receiving a cancer diagnosis, and was replaced by Only's son Jerry Caiafa II, presented as Jerry Other. That same year Soulfly's Marc Rizzo joined the band, also playing guitar. He filled in for Cadena, before Caiafa would move on to become the sole guitarist for the band.
In September 2016, for the first time in 33 years, Danzig, Only, and Doyle reunited for two headlining shows as the Original Misfits at that year's edition of Riot Fest, along with drummer Dave Lombardo and second guitarist Acey Slade. The Original Misfits lineup continued performing sporadically through 2019.
Each incarnation of the Misfits has made use of horror film and science fiction film-inspired themes and imagery, with makeup, clothing, artwork, and lyrics drawn from B movies and television serials, many from the 1950s through 1970s. Musically the band are often recognized as progenitors of the horror punk and psychobilly subgenres and have drawn from punk rock, heavy metal, and 1950s rock and roll and rockabilly to inform their style. Rolling Stone describes them as "the archetypal horror-punk band of the late 1970s and early '80s", and they are considered icons in punk music and culture.
Children in Heat
Misfits Lyrics
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They have no conscience
No resistance
You gotta see this big reaction
No resistance
Cellophane sex, a new way of life
With your heart in your throat
You've been pissin', pissin' blood
Pissin' blood for seven days
No resistance
No resistance
No resistance
Children in heat
You can't control them
Why they're away and away
They're always gonna run away
Children in heat
You can't control them
Why they're running away
Children in heat
Are young little kindle wood
I see them burning
They all changed their names to Chicago
No resistance
No resistance
No resistance
Children in heat
You can't control them
Why they'm running away
Children in heat
You can't control them
Why they're running away and away
They're always gonna run away
Children in heat
You can't control them
Why they're running away and away
They're always gonna run away
Children in heat
You can't control them
Why they're running away
The lyrics to Misfits' song "Children in Heat" depict the uncontrollable, wild nature of adolescence. The lines "They have no conscience, No resistance" highlight the idea that young people often act impulsively and without regard for consequences. The chorus of "No resistance" further emphasizes this lack of inhibition.
The next verse introduces the idea of "Cellophane sex, a new way of life". This suggests a sense of detachment or disconnection in sexual experiences, with the phrase "With your heart in your throat" potentially alluding to the fear and anxiety that can come with such encounters. The line "You've been pissin', pissin' blood, Pissin' blood for seven days" is a graphic reference to menstruation, which further ties in with the theme of biological changes and physical growth during adolescence.
Later in the song, the lyric "Children in heat, Are young little kindle wood, I see them burning, They all changed their names to Chicago" portrays young people as easily influenced and at risk of being consumed by their own desires. The repetition of "No resistance" throughout the song serves as a reminder of the lack of control adults may have over teenagers' actions and decisions.
Overall, "Children in Heat" presents a raw and unfiltered view of adolescence, capturing the energy, volatility, and sometimes self-destructive tendencies that can come with it.
Line by Line Meaning
Children in heat
Young people who are sexually aroused and passionate
They have no conscience
They are not concerned with morals or ethics
No resistance
They are easily influenced or motivated
You gotta see this big reaction
The intensity of their emotions is obvious and hard to ignore
Cellophane sex, a new way of life
A shallow and artificial approach to physical pleasure has become the norm
With your heart in your throat
The excitement and anticipation is overwhelming
And the other alive
One's own sexual desire and that of the partner are both present and strong
You've been pissin', pissin' blood
The consequences of unprotected sex, possibly including an STD or unplanned pregnancy
Pissin' blood for seven days
The effects of this poor decision continue for an extended period
Children in heat
Young people who are sexually aroused and passionate
You can't control them
Attempts to restrain or guide this behavior will not be successful
Why they're away and away
The reasons for their rebelliousness and rejection of authority are unclear
They're always gonna run away
This behavior is persistent and inevitable
Children in heat
Young people who are sexually aroused and passionate
Are young little kindle wood
They are vulnerable to being consumed by their passions
I see them burning
I see the destructive effects of their desires on their lives
They all changed their names to Chicago
They are trying to escape their past and start anew in a new location
You can't control them
Attempts to restrain or guide this behavior will not be successful
Why they're running away
The reasons for their rebelliousness and rejection of authority are unclear
They're always gonna run away
This behavior is persistent and inevitable
Children in heat
Young people who are sexually aroused and passionate
You can't control them
Attempts to restrain or guide this behavior will not be successful
Why they're running away and away
The reasons for their rebelliousness and rejection of authority are unclear and repeated
They're always gonna run away
This behavior is persistent and inevitable
Lyrics © REACH MUSIC PUBLISHING
Written by: GLEN DANZIG
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind