They are notable for being the first of the British punk bands to release a single, put out an album, and tour the United States. Their debut album, Damned Damned Damned, was released six months before The Sex Pistols' debut, Never Mind The Bollocks.
The Damned have dissolved and reformed many times, with singer Dave Vanian remaining the sole constant. They have incorporated many styles in their music, most notably garage rock, psychedelic music, the British theatrical rock of Screaming Lord Sutch and The Sensational Alex Harvey Band, and New Romantic.
In addition to serving as inspiration for many of the young bands who created hardcore punk in the US, The Damned are also generally regarded as one of the founders of goth music.
Original members Dave Vanian (David Lett), Captain Sensible (Raymond Burns), and Rat Scabies (Chris Millar) were all members of the semi-legendary Masters of the Backside which included future Pretenders frontwoman Chrissie Hynde.
Original guitarist Brian James (Brian Robertson) was a member of the early punk band London SS, a unit that never played live, but whose members later found fame in bands including The Clash and Generation X. Rat Scabies was also tried as the drummer for London SS, but was rejected.
Maintaining the goth connection, between 1996 and 2004 the bass guitarist of the Damned was one-time the Sisters of Mercy / the Sisterhood / Gun Club member Patricia Morrison. Morrison married Dave Vanian in 1996 but left the band after the birth of their daughter Emily. She originally joined the band after bassist Paul Grey was injured during a concert.
Discography:
Damned, Damned, Damned – February 25, 1977 (# 36)
Music For Pleasure – November 18, 1977
Machine Gun Etiquette – November 2, 1979 (# 31)
The Black Album – October 20, 1980 (# 29)
Strawberries – October 1, 1982 (# 15)
Phantasmagoria – July 15, 1985 (# 11)
Anything – December 5, 1986 (# 40)
Not of This Earth – November 11, 1995 (Retitled I'm Alright Jack & The Beanstalk in the UK, Germany and Sweden)
Grave Disorder – August 21, 2001
So, Who's Paranoid? – October 28, 2008
Evil Spirits – April 13, 2018
Darkadelic - April 28, 2023
Creep
The Damned Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Acting James Dean
I look real tough
But it ain't good enough
With your heart on your clothes
You try and act with your pose
But if I look in your eyes
You just run and hide
You can't
You can't fool me
You can't
You can't fool me
Now the action's begun
You ain't scarin' no-one
Just back him up quick
You only make me feel sick
Just going home
Leave us alone
Go and beat up your cat
I bet you're, I bet you're good at that
You can't
You can't fool me
You can't
You can't fool me
Now the action's begun
You ain't scarin' no-one
Just back him up quick
You only make me feel sick
Just going home
Leave us alone
Go and beat up your cat
I bet you're, I bet you're good at that
You can't
You can't fool me
You can't
You can't fool me
You can't
You can't fool me
You can't
You can't fool me
and desperation ooze from the lyrics of The Damned's song "Creep". The song seems to be written from the perspective of someone who feels trapped and powerless, living in a house where they feel like a mouse, and struggling with a lack of meaning or purpose in their life. The line "What they said was real makes me wanna steal" suggests that the singer has been oppressed or misled by someone or something, and that this is driving them to act out in destructive ways. The chorus encourages the listener to "Take time with a wounded hand 'cause it likes to heal", implying that the pain and trauma the singer has experienced can be a source of strength if they use it wisely.
The second verse adds another layer to the song's themes of alienation and frustration. The singer feels uninspired and turns to arson as a form of emotional release. The line "Think you're kinda neat then she tells me I'm a creep" suggests that the singer has tried to connect with someone, only to be rejected and labeled as strange or abnormal. This rejection reinforces their sense of isolation and crumbles what little self-esteem they may have had. The final line "Friends don't mean a thing guess I'll leave it up to me" hammers home the message that the singer feels completely alone in the world.
Overall, "Creep" is a bleak and powerful song that captures the sense of desperation felt by many people who are struggling to find meaning and connection in their lives.
Line by Line Meaning
Forward yesterday makes me wanna stay
The past is pulling me back and I feel like staying there.
What they said was real makes me wanna steal
The harsh reality of life makes me want to escape and turn to theft.
Living under house guess I'm living I'm a mouse
I feel trapped and powerless, like a mouse living under someone else's house.
All's I gots is time got no meaning just a rhyme
I have plenty of time but no purpose or direction, just a meaningless rhyme.
Take time with a wounded hand 'cause it likes to heal
Be patient with yourself and your pain, because healing takes time.
Take time with a wounded hand 'cause I like to steal
I find comfort and distraction in stealing, so I need to take time to heal from that temptation.
I'm half the man I used to be (this feeling as the dawn it fades to gray)
I feel like I've lost a part of myself and the feeling only grows darker as the day begins.
Feeling uninspired think I'll start a fire
When I feel stagnant and uncreative, I might stir up some chaos to feel something.
Everybody run bobby's got a gun
In moments of desperation and madness, the presence of a weapon can cause chaos and fear.
Think you're kinda neat then she tells me I'm a creep
When I try to connect with someone, they see me as a weirdo and it hurts.
Friends don't mean a thing guess I'll leave it up to me.
Even though I have friends, they can't fix my problems, so I have to take responsibility for myself.
Take time with a wounded hand 'cause it likes to heal
I need to be patient with myself and give myself time to heal from my pain.
Take time with a wounded hand 'guess I like to steal
I'm struggling with my temptation to steal and I need to give myself time to heal from that desire.
Take time with a wounded hand 'cause it likes to heal, I like to steal
I'm torn between healing and stealing, and I need to find a way to balance both desires.
I'm half the man I used to be (this feeling as the dawn it fades to gray)
I feel like I've lost a part of myself and the sadness only grows as the day begins.
Angst
This song is full of anxiety and despair, reflecting the intense emotions of the artist.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Brian James
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
ClydeJarrod37UK
Under rated, derided lp.