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
Grimly Fiendish
The Damned Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Plays the game that never pays
Sing out loud but never prayed
Grimly fiendish
Wears a coat thats black and long
He doesn't know that it's all wrong
A child caught in a grown up world
No lies convince the court
Once a week I could be
Found on the faces all the frowns
Hide and seek tried so hard
To justify that crime could pay
Just for today
Bad lad bad boy
Bad lad bad boy
Bad lad bad boy
Bad lad bad boy
Bad lad bad boy
Bad lad bad boy
Bad lad bad boy
Bad lad bad boy
Let me get the story straight
You never gave me a break
It's a case of give and take
You didn't make me good you just painted me green
You made me part of your forgotten dream
Grimly fiendish
We'll send you just where you belong
Where the children can't be found
Bad lad bad boy
Bad lad bad boy
Bad lad bad boy
Bad lad bad boy
Bad lad bad boy
Bad lad bad boy
Bad lad bad boy
Bad lad bad boy
Hide and seek tried so hard
To justify that crime could pay
Just for today
Bad bad bad boy
Bad bad bad boy
Bad bad bad boy
Bad bad bad boy
Bad bad bad boy
Bad bad bad boy
Bad bad bad boy
Bad bad bad boy
The song Grimly Fiendish by The Damned is a fast-paced and catchy track that speaks of the titular character Grimly Fiendish. The lyrics describe Grimly Fiendish as a player of a game that never pays and someone who sings out loud but never prayed. He is also depicted as a child caught in a grown-up world, who wears a black coat that he doesn't realize is all wrong. The chorus repeats the phrase "Bad lad bad boy" over and over again, as if to emphasize the character's mischievous, rule-breaking nature.
The second verse of the song suggests that Grimly Fiendish has been painted green by someone who never gave him a break. It is a case of give and take, but he doesn't seem to have gained anything positive from the experience. The final lines repeat the chorus and once again mention hide and seek and a futile attempt to justify that "crime could pay", before declaring that Grimly Fiendish will be sent "where the children can't be found."
Line by Line Meaning
Grimly fiendish
This character has a dark and menacing presence
Plays the game that never pays
Engages in behavior that leads to no real benefit or reward
Sing out loud but never prayed
Uses their voice to express themselves, but does not seek redemption or salvation
Wears a coat thats black and long
Dresses in a way that matches their dark and ominous personality
He doesn't know that it's all wrong
Is ignorant to the fact that their behavior is not acceptable
Simply fiendish
This character is pure evil
A child caught in a grown up world
Has an immature and childish perspective on life despite their age
No lies convince the court
Attempts to manipulate the truth will not work in a court of law
Once a week I could be
Reveals that this behavior is not constant, but occurs occasionally
Found on the faces all the frowns
Causes unhappiness and displeasure in others
Hide and seek tried so hard
Attempts to conceal their behavior from others
To justify that crime could pay
Tries to rationalize their actions by finding a way to benefit from them
Just for today
For a brief period of time
Bad lad bad boy
Recognizes the character's negative identity
Let me get the story straight
Asks for an opportunity to explain the situation accurately
You never gave me a break
Expresses that others bear some responsibility for their misconduct
It's a case of give and take
Suggests that both parties are at fault in some way
You didn't make me good you just painted me green
Others tried to change their behavior or manipulate them, but it did not have a lasting effect
You made me part of your forgotten dream
The character has been neglected and forgotten by others
We'll send you just where you belong
A warning that there will be consequences for their actions
Where the children can't be found
The character will be isolated and cut off from society
Bad bad bad boy
Repeats the warning or negative identity
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@TourinxPunx
LYRICS
Grimly fiendish
Plays the game that never pays
Sung out loud but never prayed
Grimly fiendish
Wears a coat that's black and long
He doesn't know that it's all wrong
Simply fiendish
A child caught in a grown up world
No lies convince the court
Once a week
I could be
Found on the faces all the frowns
Hide and seek
Tried so hard
To justify that crime could pay
Just for today
Bad lad, bad boy (X8)
Let me get the story straight
You never gave me a break
It's a case of give and take
You didn't make me good you just painted me green
You made me part of your forgotten dreams
Grimly fiendish
We'll send you just where you belong
Where the children can't be found
Hide and seek
Tried so hard
And justify that crime could pay
Just for today
Bad lad, bad boy (X8)
@RicPeters
It has always reminded me of The Beatles, like a gothic Beatles song.
One of their best.
@josecataife
Maxwells silver hamer
@rjjcms1
Ric Peters That thought crossed my mind when I heard it in 1985.
@MartyRotten
I hear more early Who, pre-Tommy, and the Kinks.
@jarrahdrum
I thought exactly the same 👍🏻
@Vampire_Nightshade
@MartyRotten and the zombies
@jonnyrs1
I know dammed lovers out there wouldnt necessarily agree but Phantasmagoria - what a great and massively under-rated album. Bout time it was re-released
@TessT101
Phantasmagoria is a masterpiece!
@johnstag2030
I'm a huge Damned fan, and I love Phantasmagoria!
@localgardener8726
Phantasmagoria was my first music cd i've ever bought - forever in love with them!