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
Democracy?
The Damned Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The flags all waved
The people smiled a lot, the world was right
But now it seems that nothing's changed
My ears are ringing with the promise
The promise that they'll right the wrongs
And that they're ever gonna give you
Democracy, Democracy (you wanna bet?)
We've been down this path a million times
And yet there seems no hope for us
These times are hard and yet a few do well
The rest can wallow in their dust
And if you're looking for the answers
You won't need a crystal ball
'Cause they're not taking any chances on
Democracy, Democracy (not on you're life)
Don't tell me revolution changed a thing in France
'Cept a king or two
'Cause when it's Bastille Day a toxic time bomb ticks
In the Pacific blue
'Cause revolution changes nothing
And voting changes even less
'Cause it's only time you're wasting on
Democracy, Democracy (there's none round here)
The Damned's song Democracy is a cynical and biting commentary on the state of democracy in modern society. The song describes the temporary celebration of democracy in London, where people smiled and the flags waved, but ultimately nothing changed. The lyrics convey a sense of disillusionment and hopelessness in the face of political corruption, inequality, and the failure of democracy to deliver on its promises.
The song suggests that the political system is rigged and that those in power have no intention of relinquishing their control. The promise of democracy is empty, and the idea that the people have a say in how they are governed is a myth. The lyrics reference the French Revolution as an example of how even violent uprisings do not bring about lasting change, and democracy is merely an illusion that wastes people's time.
Overall, The Damned's Democracy is a bleak and pessimistic take on the state of democracy in modern society. It speaks to the frustration and disillusionment of those who feel left behind by the system and powerless to effect change.
Line by Line Meaning
Did you notice that just recently in London Town
Have you observed the recent events in London?
The flags all waved
The flags were being waved, representing national pride.
The people smiled a lot, the world was right
The people were happy, and it seemed that everything was going right.
But now it seems that nothing's changed
However, it now appears that nothing has actually changed.
My ears are ringing with the promise
I keep hearing promises being made.
The promise that they'll right the wrongs
The promise that they will correct injustices.
And that they're ever gonna give you
And that they will always provide you with something.
Democracy, Democracy (you wanna bet?)
This 'something' is democracy, but are you willing to bet on it?
We've been down this path a million times
We have already experienced this situation many times.
And yet there seems no hope for us
Despite this, we still feel hopeless.
These times are hard and yet a few do well
This is a difficult time for most people, but few still manage to succeed.
The rest can wallow in their dust
The others are left behind and remain helpless.
And if you're looking for the answers
If you are searching for solutions,
You won't need a crystal ball
You will not require supernatural means.
'Cause they're not taking any chances on
The people in charge are not taking risks regarding
Democracy, Democracy (not on you're life)
introducing democracy. They will not allow it to happen.
Don't tell me revolution changed a thing in France
Do not argue that the French Revolution had a significant impact.
'Cept a king or two
Except for removing a few monarchs.
'Cause when it's Bastille Day a toxic time bomb ticks
However, on Bastille Day, trouble looms close by like a toxic time bomb.
In the Pacific blue
This may even occur far away, in the Pacific Ocean.
'Cause revolution changes nothing
This is because revolutions do not actually result in positive changes.
And voting changes even less
Voting is even less effective than revolution.
'Cause it's only time you're wasting on
Thus, when trying to use your voice through democracy,
Democracy, Democracy (there's none round here)
you are merely wasting your time because true democracy is not present.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Motorfly71
Dave's vocals just keep getting better and better.
@8busby
Still a fantastic band, 35 years on,...
@ritamasala9484
Fantastic voice Dave Vanian 👌❤️❤️
@JasonBNYC
Despite my bias for NYC bands (Heartbreakers, TV, etc), I have to admit The Damned probably are the best of the lot. Still going strong 30(!) years later. Amazing!!
@GardnerGoldsmith
There really can't be any argument. The Damned are the best punk band thus far. Love 'em! Go to England, realize that THE DAMNED ARE THE SOUL OF THE NATION! Go DAMNED!
@g672sh
I think I like this set better than the album versions!!
@jonightingale
I keep thinking I've seen everything and then something emerges that's been online for 14 years - and I'm so glad that there's more! This is wonderful, shame Dave's mic wasn't louder as he sounded great, I'm assuming it was around Halloween as Captain's in his goth outfit.
@T0MATOPLANT
LOVE THIS BAND!
@asasin4576
Wish you could like stuff more than once, this video and song deserves it.
@MiaZ79
Great sound!