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.
Resurrection
Misfits Lyrics
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Reminds me that my heart won't always beat
The ugly face of death that's smiling
At my rotting teeth
I will die here in this sorrow
I was waiting for tomorrow
Palpitate the pulse until
Oh
Talk about me
Laugh about me
Cry about me
Nail me to the cross
I'll be a martyr for the hated
The weak, the ugly, the lost
I will die here in this sorrow
I won't wait for tomorrow
Palpitate the pulse until
You resurrect my soul from the wall
Whoa
Talk about me
Laugh about me
Cry about me
Nail me to the cross
Whoa
Whoa
Whoa
The lyrics of Misfits' "Resurrection" portray the grim reality of one's mortality, reminding the listener that their heart will not beat forever. The first line of the song, "Complications inside of me," suggests that the singer is facing a health issue that makes them aware of their limited time on earth. The second line, "Reminds me that my heart won't always beat," further emphasizes this point, setting a somber tone for the rest of the song.
The lyric "The ugly face of death that's smiling at my rotting teeth" represents a bleak image of death, conveying a sense of despair and hopelessness. The singer feels trapped by their mortality, resigned to dying in sorrow without any hope for tomorrow. The following lines, "Palpitate the pulse until you feel my heart explode against the wall / Talk about me, laugh about me, cry about me, nail me to the cross," reveal the singer's desire to be remembered and immortalized after their death. This martyr-like mentality is further reinforced in the chorus, with the lyrics "I'll be a martyr for the hated, the weak, the ugly, the lost."
Line by Line Meaning
Complications inside of me
There are issues and difficulties within myself.
Reminds me that my heart won't always beat
I am aware that I won't live forever.
The ugly face of death that's smiling
Death, which is often grim and unpleasant, seems to be finding joy in what is happening.
At my rotting teeth
My decaying teeth are a physical representation of the decay happening inside of me.
I will die here in this sorrow
I will inevitably pass away while being in this state of sadness.
I was waiting for tomorrow
I had previously anticipated that things might improve in the future.
Palpitate the pulse until
Create a strong sense of anticipation until...
You feel my heart explode against the wall
You witness the intensity of my emotions in a violent way.
Talk about me
Have conversations about who I am.
Laugh about me
Find humor in what I do or say.
Cry about me
Let my existence cause deep emotion to come to the surface.
Nail me to the cross
Punish me in a way that is reminiscent of the crucifixion.
I'll be a martyr for the hated
I am willing to be persecuted for the sake of those who are despised.
The weak, the ugly, the lost
Those who are vulnerable or unattractive and those who feel disoriented and adrift in the world.
I won't wait for tomorrow
I won't expect my situation to improve in the future anymore.
You resurrect my soul from the wall
Bring my spirit back to life.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: DAVID CALABRESE, JERRY CAIAFA, MICHAEL C. EMANUEL, PAUL CAIAFA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind