The Damned is a punk rock band started in 1976 in London, UK. Despite being… Read Full Bio ↴The Damned is a punk rock band started in 1976 in London, UK. Despite being one of the definitive early punk bands they were also one of the most ambitious; with their later albums moving away from gothic rock to psychedelic rock.

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

Feel the Pain
The Damned Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I know you're cold but I've seen it before
I'll take a chance on the wine
Your starched white lips, intravenous she drips
In fear of turning blind
Hair to grey and some guys say
Shows you're, shows you're growing old
Do it again, I can't explain
The light sure seems cold

Feel the pain
It leaves no stain
Feel the pain
The name of the game

Drop some blues, time to choose
Why your heart is just a-stabbing
Bloody eyes can't describe
The nature of your hacking
Back-to-front, the blade tastes blunt
In the safety of your bedroom
No desire to touch the fire
It's just a, just a sad obsession

Feel the pain
It leaves no stain, leaves no stain
Feel the pain
The name of the game
Feel the pain
It leaves no stain (no stain_
Feel the pain
The name of the game

Feel the pain
Feel the pain
Feel the pain
Feel the pain
Feel the pain
Feel the pain

Pain

Overall Meaning

The Damned's song "Feel the Pain" is an exploration of the emotional and physical pain that the human experience can encompass. The lyrics are symbolic and full of contrasting images that reveal a complicated and intricate journey within the psyche of the individual.

The first verse depicts the singer's willingness to take risks and jump into the unknown, despite the fact that they have experienced pain before. The reference to "intravenous she drips" could be interpreted as a metaphor for drug addiction or medical treatment, and the fear of turning blind suggests a loss of control. The second verse touches on the process of aging and the insecurities that come with it. The line "shows you're growing old" indicates a sense of shame or embarrassment, and the light seeming cold could represent the harsh reality of aging, as well as the fear of death.

The chorus "Feel the pain, it leaves no stain, feel the pain, the name of the game" suggests that pain is an inherent part of being human, and that it is necessary for growth and transformation. The second verse delves deeper into the intricacies of pain, and how it can manifest in the body and mind. The description of bloody eyes and hacking suggests sickness or some kind of physical ailment, and the reference to a "back-to-front" blade emphasizes the distorted and confusing perspective that one may have when in pain.

Overall, "Feel the Pain" is a complex and multi-layered song that explores the various facets of pain in a symbolic and imaginative way.

Line by Line Meaning

I know you're cold but I've seen it before
I understand you're emotionally distant but I've encountered it in previous relationships

I'll take a chance on the wine
I'll risk opening up to you over a drink

Your starched white lips, intravenous she drips
Your pale lips and IV drip suggest your health has declined

In fear of turning blind
You are afraid of losing your vision

Hair to grey and some guys say, shows you're, shows you're growing old
Your grey hair suggests aging, like some men might perceive

Do it again, I can't explain
Repeat the behavior, I cannot rationalize it

The light sure seems cold
The situation feels emotionally bleak

Feel the pain
Experience the emotional torment

It leaves no stain
It does not physically mark you

The name of the game
This is how it goes