Starting as a hardcore punk band in the late 1970s to the early 1980s, Social Distortion would go on a temporary hiatus in the mid-1980s, due to Ness's drug addiction and troubles with the law which resulted in extended stints in various rehabilitation centers that lasted for two years. Following their reformation, the band has shifted its style to a country, blues and early rock and roll-influenced style of punk. Since its inception, the band's lineup has seen significant turnover, with Ness as the only constant member. After 44 years of performing, Social Distortion continues to tour and record music.
To date, Social Distortion has released seven full-length studio albums, two compilations, one live album, and two DVDs. They released two albums — Mommy's Little Monster (1983) and Prison Bound (1988) — before signing a three-album contract with Epic Records in 1989. Social Distortion rose to fame with their 1990 self-titled third album, which produced their well-known hit singles "Ball and Chain", "Story of My Life", and the cover of Johnny Cash's "Ring of Fire", and was certified gold by RIAA. Many of their later albums, including their second gold record Somewhere Between Heaven and Hell (1992), were also well received. Dubbed by Steven Blush as "the Rolling Stones of hardcore," Social Distortion is considered one of the best-selling and most influential punk rock bands, with more than three million albums sold worldwide. The band's most recent studio album is Hard Times and Nursery Rhymes (2011), and they have spent about more than a decade working on new material their forthcoming eighth studio album.
Social Distortion was formed in 1978 by Mike Ness, inspired by the Sex Pistols and many other British punk bands as well as rock acts such as the Rolling Stones. Aside from Ness on guitar and Casey Royer on drums, early members included Mark Garrett on bass and former Cal State Fullerton basketball player Tom Corvin on vocals. Garrett was succeeded by Rikk Agnew in late 1978. On the origins of the band's name, Royer recalled "Mike was like 15, trying to play guitar but he couldn't. Social Distortion was named for my distortion pedal, which I gave to Mike to play 'cause back then he was no good."
Their early music was composed by Ness with lyrics by Royer and sometimes Corvin, and many songs were retired after only a few performances. After Corvin left in the fall of 1979 to attend graduate school at Bob Jones University, Ness recruited his high school friend Dennis Danell to join the band on guitar even though Danell had never played an instrument before. When Danell was brought in, the other members left as they did not want to wait for him to learn. Before joining the Adolescents in 1980, Royer and Agnew played with Garrett in a separate band named Social Distortion consisting of Royer on vocals, Garrett on bass, Rikk Agnew on drums, and Frank Agnew and Tim Maag on guitars. The band's first real show was in early 1979 at the Cuckoo's Nest nightclub on Placentia Avenue in Costa Mesa, California. Mike and Dennis remained the only constant members for the next two decades with bass and drum members changing every few years. The Adolescents song "Kids of the Black Hole" and Social Distortion song "The Playpen" chronicled this period of the band's history.
Its first single, Mainliner/Playpen featuring Ness on guitar and vocals, Dennis on bass, and Carrot on drums was released in 1981 on Posh Boy, the label responsible for releasing the first singles and albums of many of the local O.C. punk bands. Rodney Bingenheimer of KROQ-FM was responsible for much of the radio play in Orange County, California, that punk received in the early 80s, and took a liking to Social Distortion, releasing the single "1945" on his 1981 compilation album, Rodney on the ROQ, Blood on the ROQ in 1983, and The Best Of Rodney on the ROQ in 1989.
In 1982, the band—now consisting of Ness, Danell (who now played rhythm guitar), Brent Liles on bass, and Derek O'Brien on drums—embarked on their first international tour (US and Canada) with fellow punk band Youth Brigade, a trip chronicled in the punk rockumentary 'Another State of Mind', which was not released until 1984.
The band has consistently used as their logo a skeleton holding a cigarette and a martini glass. It was designed by Mackie Osborne, wife of Melvins frontman Buzz Osborne. It is frequently featured in live performances as well as album covers. The logo came from an invitation to a New Year's Eve party that a friend of Ness' had designed. Said Ness in an April 2011 interview with Rolling Stone: "At the time, I saw that, and it just felt like, 'That's it right there. It's life and death, it's celebration.' It just felt powerful."
Don't Drag Me Down
Social Distortion Lyrics
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Some are rich and some are poor, others will just suffer more
Have you ever been ashamed and felt society try to keep you down?
I begin to watch things change and see them turn around
Turn around, they'll try to keep you down
Turn around, Turn around
Don't drag me down
Ignorance like a gun in hand, reach out to the promised land
Your history books are full of lies, media-blitz gonna dry your eyes
Have you ever been afraid, and felt society try to keep you down?
I begin to watch things change see them turn around
Turn around, they'll try to keep you down
Turn around, Turn around
Don't drag me down
Ignorance like a gun in hand
Reach out to the promised land
Your history books are full of lies,
Media -blitz gonna dry your eyes
You're eighteen want to be a man
Your granddaddy's in the Ku Klux Klan
Taking two steps forward
And four steps back
Gonna go to the White House
And paint it black
Turn around, they'll try to keep you down
Turn around, Turn around
Don't drag me down
The song Don't Drag Me Down by Social Distortion is a social commentary on the inequality and injustice in society. The opening lines suggest that children are taught to hate, and parents eagerly pass on their prejudices to their offspring. The lyrics also point to the vast divide between the rich and poor, with some doomed to suffer while others thrive. The frustration and shame of being held down by society are also addressed in the lyrics. The refrain is a call to action, urging listeners not to be dragged down by the ignorance and lies that are perpetuated in society.
The second verse begins with a comparison between ignorance and a gun, suggesting that ignorance is a dangerous weapon that is used to maintain the status quo. The lyrics take aim at traditional sources of authority such as history books and the media, claiming that these sources are full of lies that keep people in the dark. The fear and frustration of being oppressed by society are addressed once again. The lyrics suggest that things are changing, and people are beginning to turn around and recognize the injustices that are present in society.
The chorus repeats the refrain, urging listeners not to be dragged down by society. The final verse opens with a call to action for young people to take charge and reach out to the promised land of equality and justice. The lyrics point out that history is full of racism and discrimination, symbolized by the mention of the Ku Klux Klan. Despite progress being made, the lyrics suggest that there are still obstacles to overcome, and the journey is two steps forward, four steps back. The song ends with a call to action to paint the White House black, suggesting that fundamental change is needed to achieve true equality and justice.
Line by Line Meaning
Children are taught to hate, parents just couldn't wait
Children are taught to hate others who are different than them based on the beliefs that their parents hold, even if those beliefs are born out of intolerance or lack of understanding.
Some are rich and some are poor, others will just suffer more
There are economic disparities in society where some are more privileged than others, and those who are less fortunate often suffer more as a result.
Have you ever been ashamed and felt society try to keep you down?
Have you ever felt embarrassed or discriminated against by society for being different and not fitting in with social norms and expectations?
I begin to watch things change and see them turn around
I observe societal change taking place and witness a reversal of negative attitudes and actions towards those who were previously marginalized or oppressed.
Turn around, they'll try to keep you down
Society may attempt to prevent progress or maintain the status quo, obstructing those who are trying to make positive changes for themselves or others.
Don't drag me down
I refuse to be hindered or held back by society's limitations or prejudices, and I will not allow myself to be negatively affected by those who try to bring me down.
Ignorance like a gun in hand, reach out to the promised land
Uneducated or narrow-minded views can be damaging and dangerous, and one should strive to reach their goals despite any obstacles or challenges that come their way.
Your history books are full of lies, media-blitz gonna dry your eyes
Historical accounts can be inaccurate or biased, and the media has the potential to manipulate or mislead people and perpetuate untrue or biased narratives.
Have you ever been afraid, and felt society try to keep you down?
Have you ever experienced fear or intimidation from societal pressure to conform, which can lead to feeling silenced or stifled?
I begin to watch things change see them turn around
I witness societal transformation in which oppressive or unjust practices are being overturned or reevaluated, and positive change is taking place.
You're eighteen want to be a man, your granddaddy's in the Ku Klux Klan
Even as one reaches adulthood and seeks to define themselves, they may still face the influence of family members with harmful or prejudicial beliefs.
Taking two steps forward and four steps back, gonna go to the White House and paint it black
Even with progress being made, there are still setbacks and challenges to overcome, and the fight for equality and justice may require bold or unconventional steps.
Turn around, they'll try to keep you down
Society may attempt to stifle those who are trying to make positive changes, and those who seek to create change must remain vigilant and strong in the face of resistance.
Turn around, Turn around
This line is repeated several times to underscore the importance of being aware of one's surroundings and remaining resilient in the face of adversity.
Don't drag me down
This line is repeated at the end to reinforce the idea that the individual should not allow themselves to be held back or brought down by others, and should persevere in the pursuit of positive change.
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: MICHAEL NESS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind