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."
Untitled
Social Distortion Lyrics
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I'm running down a one-way street
I want to know are you going my way
Is there some place quiet where we can meet
And friends they come and friends they go
But you were always by my side
And where it all ends I don't know
There was a time when I was desperate
Living in a town without a name
And when things got so dark and desolate
You taught me how to hide my shame
And kings and queens and millionaires
May never know what I have known
And thank the stars I'm the lucky one,
Thanks for the lessons that I have been shown
[Repeat: x2]
I feel rich, I feel power, and security
And when I'm weak, you are strong
Once in a lifetime, twice in eternity
And guess what? Nothing else matters anyway
The lyrics of Social Distortion's song Untitled depicts a lone traveler running down a one-way street, feeling lonely and looking for someone to share a quiet space with. The opening line of the song highlights the sense of isolation and sadness that the person is experiencing. The singer asks if there is someone who can keep him company and perhaps help him feel less alone.
The verse continues with the mention of friends who come and go, implying that the singer has lost touch with many companions in his life. Despite the loss, however, he appreciates that there is one person who has always been there for him. The chorus repeats the phrase "don't cry no more just hold on tight," emphasizing this person's importance and the comfort they provide.
The second verse is more reflective, with the singer expressing a deep sense of gratitude to this person for teaching him how to "hide his shame" during a difficult time. He suggests that the wealth and status of kings and queens pale in comparison to the meaningful lessons he has learned and the simple pleasure of having a caring friend. In the final lines, the singer expresses that he feels "rich, powerful, and secure" with this person by his side, offering him strength when he feels weak. He concludes with the statement that, in the end, nothing else matters anyway.
Overall, the song presents a universal theme of finding connection and meaning in human relationships, even during the most difficult times. It demonstrates the transformative power of friendship and the importance of cherishing those who stay with us through thick and thin.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm heading down a lonely highway
I'm going through a rough patch in life and feeling lonely.
I'm running down a one-way street
I feel trapped and like I'm moving in one direction, without any chance to turn back.
I want to know are you going my way
I'm looking for companionship and want to know if someone feels the same way and can join me on my journey.
Is there some place quiet where we can meet
I'm hoping to find a peaceful place to connect with someone and have some time to talk.
And friends they come and friends they go
People come in and out of our lives, but some relationships are stronger and last longer.
But you were always by my side
You have been a constant source of support in my life.
And where it all ends I don't know
I don't know what the future holds, and it's scary not to have any certainty.
Don't cry no more just hold on tight
I'm encouraging both myself and the person I'm speaking to, to stay strong and persevere.
There was a time when I was desperate
I've been through tough times in the past where I felt like there was no way out.
Living in a town without a name
I felt lost and like I didn't belong anywhere.
And when things got so dark and desolate
I was in a really bad place mentally and emotionally.
You taught me how to hide my shame
You showed me how to cope and move past my insecurities and issues.
And kings and queens and millionaires
Even people who have everything still might not understand the depth of my experiences and emotions.
May never know what I have known
There are some things that can't be fully understood unless they're experienced firsthand.
And thank the stars I'm the lucky one,
I'm grateful to have you in my life, and I know not everyone is as lucky.
Thanks for the lessons that I have been shown
I appreciate everything you've taught me and how much you've helped me.
I feel rich, I feel power, and security
Despite everything, I feel strong and confident.
And when I'm weak, you are strong
You're always there to support me when I'm struggling.
Once in a lifetime, twice in eternity
Meeting someone like you is rare and amazing, and I appreciate it more than words can say.
And guess what? Nothing else matters anyway
At the end of the day, as long as we have each other, everything else will work out somehow.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Downtown Music Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: MICHAEL NESS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind