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
Help
The Damned Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Help, not just anybody,
Help, you know I need someone,
Help!
When I was younger, so much younger than today,
I never needed anybody's help in anyway.
But now these days are gone, I'm not so self assured,
Doors.
Help me if you can, I'm feeling down
And I do appreciate you being 'round.
Help me get my feet back on the ground,
Won't you please, please help me?
And now my life has changed in oh so many ways,
My independence seems to vanish in the haze.
But every now and then I feel so insecure,
I know that I just need you like, I've never done
Before.
Help me if you can, I'm feeling down
And I do appreciate you being 'round.
Help me get my feet back on the ground,
Won't you please, please help me?
When I was younger, so much younger than today,
I never needed anybody's help in anyway.
But now these days are gone, I'm not so self assured,
Now I find I've changed my mind, I've opened up the
Doors.
Help me if you can, I'm feeling down
And I do appreciate you being 'round.
Help me get my feet back on the ground,
Won't you please, please help me?
Help me,
Help me,
Oooo.
The Damned's song Help is a cry for help from the singer who goes through a transition in his life. The song starts with the repetition of the word "help" and the singer's plea for someone to help him. In the second verse, the singer reflects on his past when he was younger and more self-sufficient without needing anyone's help. However, now he finds himself insecure and needing help.
The lyrics reflect on the universal need for human connection and support. The singer's vulnerability calls for someone to help him. The song's catchy melody and repetition of "Help" make the song more relatable and catchy for the listener.
Overall, The Damned's song Help is a message of hope and belief that someone will always be there to help us through difficult times.
Line by Line Meaning
Help, I need somebody,
The singer is reaching out for help in a desperate situation.
Help, not just anybody,
The singer needs specific help from someone trustworthy.
Help, you know I need someone,
The singer pleads for help from someone who understands their situation.
Help!
The singer reiterates their plea for help.
When I was younger, so much younger than today,
The singer remembers a time when they were more self-reliant.
I never needed anybody's help in anyway.
In the past, the singer was content with handling things on their own.
But now these days are gone, I'm not so self assured,
The singer admits that they have become more vulnerable and fearful.
Now I find I've changed my mind, I've opened up the Doors.
The singer has realized they cannot handle everything by themselves and is asking for help.
Help me if you can, I'm feeling down
The singer reiterates their need for help.
And I do appreciate you being 'round.
The singer is grateful for whoever is there to help them.
Help me get my feet back on the ground,
The singer needs help to regain their footing.
Won't you please, please help me?
The singer pleads for assistance.
And now my life has changed in oh so many ways,
The singer has experienced significant changes in their life.
My independence seems to vanish in the haze.
The singer's confidence and self-reliance have diminished.
But every now and then I feel so insecure,
The singer still experiences moments of uncertainty and vulnerability.
I know that I just need you like, I've never done Before.
The singer realizes that they need help more than ever before.
Help me,
The singer is still desperately seeking help.
Help me,
The singer repeats their call for help.
Oooo.
The singer expresses their emotional distress.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Tratore
Written by: John Lennon, Paul McCartney
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Alf Lemon
John Lennon said the Beatles version was fast because of commercial reasons, and wished he recorded a slow version instead, like the one Deep Purple did. But I feel The Damned rendition captures that angst that every youngster have felt at some point. God damn, punk suits this song so well.
Renato Trap
Yeah!
Gary Bishop
There's cover versions then there's this,possibly the best cover of any song,absolute mental drumming,and just basic rock and roll
Renato Trap
Yeah!
Jovco
Better than the Deep Purple version.
Raymond Kitchen
Hahaha!!!! Yup!! McCartney did say at the time that he did like Deep Purple's version. Why they next covered 'We Can Work It Out' remains a mystery. It's quite abysmal.
Charles Hall
Like the Purple Version Better! 'specially the Vocals and Drums!
Wolf 90
John Lennon prefers Deep Purple's version
Douglas Christian
Extupend👏
martyn jones
The beatles cover of this is ok