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
Melody Lee
The Damned Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It must have been a change of heart
Your life was cruel they called it art
Melody lee, you need a nuke to set you free
You know you can't cheat tomorrow
If you hide any sorrow
You're on the run with nowhere to go
If you die someone to know
Forget your heart, you need not stay
A second longer than today
Melody lee, a broken man and a broken dream
It must have been a change of heart
Your life was cruel they called it art
The Damned's song Melody Lee tells the story of a broken man and a broken dream, possibly referencing someone in the music industry who has fallen on hard times. The lyrics suggest that this person may have had a change of heart, perhaps realizing that their previous way of living was not sustainable or fulfilling. The line "Your life was cruel they called it art" could be a commentary on the pressures of the entertainment industry and how it can be difficult to find genuine success and happiness.
The chorus of the song captures a sense of desperation, with the repeated line "Melody Lee, you need a nuke to set you free" conveying the idea that drastic measures may be necessary for this person to escape their struggles. Additionally, the lyrics suggest that Melody Lee may be hiding their sorrow and that they need to confront their secret enemy in order to find resolution.
Overall, the song seems to be a haunting portrayal of someone who has given everything to their art but has ultimately been left with nothing. The sense of urgency in the lyrics is palpable, with the repeated references to tomorrow and the need to act now adding to the intense emotional impact of the song.
Line by Line Meaning
Melody lee, a broken man and a broken dream
The singer is Melody Lee, who has a damaged spirit and unfulfilled aspirations
It must have been a change of heart
Melody Lee's present circumstances and outlook must have been brought on by a sudden shift in mood or perspective
Your life was cruel they called it art
Society labeled Melody Lee's harsh existence as a creative expression
Melody lee, you need a nuke to set you free
Melody Lee is so burdened by her situation that she desires an explosion to liberate her
You know you can't cheat tomorrow
Melody Lee is aware that avoidance or neglect of her problems will not fix them or prevent them from carrying over to the future
If you hide any sorrow
Melody Lee recognizes that denying or suppressing her own grief will not lead to genuine progress or healing
Melody lee, you gotta find your secret enemy
Melody Lee acknowledges that identifying the root cause of her afflictions is crucial to her recovery
You're on the run with nowhere to go
Melody Lee feels trapped and without options for escape or resolution
If you die someone to know
Melody Lee desires recognition or understanding from others, even in the event of her death
Forget your heart, you need not stay
Melody Lee must disregard her emotional attachment or fears and move forward
A second longer than today
Melody Lee must only focus on the present and not allow herself to remain stagnant
Melody lee, a broken man and a broken dream
The repetition of the opening line emphasizes Melody Lee's current state of being
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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DROP SOME BLUES = take some 3french blues3 pills -popular amphetamine and barbiturate drug since the '60's, see movie Quadrophenia