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
Pretty Vacant
The Damned Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You'll get no reply
Oh just remember a don't decide
I got no reason it's all too much
You'll always find us
Out to lunch
Oh we're so pretty
We're vacant
Oh we're so pretty
Oh so pretty
A-vacant
Don't ask us to attend
Cause we're not all there
Oh don't pretend 'cause I don't care
I don't believe illusions 'cause too much is real
So stop your cheap comment
Cause we know what we feel
Oh we're so pretty
Oh so pretty
We're vacant
Oh we're so pretty
Oh so pretty
A-vacant
Oh we're so pretty
Oh so pretty
Ah but now
And we don't care
There's no point
Oh we're so pretty
Oh so pretty
We're vacant
Oh we're so pretty
Oh so pretty
A-vacant
Oh we're so pretty
Oh so pretty
Ah but now
And we don't care
We're pretty a-pretty vacant
We don't care
The Damned's song "Pretty Vacant" is a scathing critique of the music industry's obsession with appearance over substance. The first verse, "There's no point in asking, you'll get no reply," suggests that the band is purposely giving a vague and apathetic response to those who are trying to uncover their true intentions. The second verse, "Don't ask us to attend, 'cause we're not all there," reinforces this idea as the band admits they are not entirely present or invested in the industry.
The chorus, "Oh, we're so pretty, oh, so pretty, we're vacant," is a sarcastic commentary on the industry's obsession with image, suggesting that those who are deemed attractive lack substance or intelligence. The following verse, "I don't believe illusions 'cause too much is real," suggests that the band values honesty and authenticity over superficiality.
The final chorus, "We're pretty a-pretty vacant, we don't care," emphasizes the band's indifference towards the expectations of the industry, suggesting that they are content with being "vacant" as it allows them to exist outside of societal norms and expectations.
Line by Line Meaning
There's no point in asking
Don't bother asking us any questions
You'll get no reply
We won't respond or give any answers
Oh just remember a don't decide
We don't make decisions or take responsibility
I got no reason it's all too much
I have no good reason for anything, it's all too overwhelming
You'll always find us
We can always be found
Out to lunch
We are disconnected or daydreaming
Oh we're so pretty
We have an attractive appearance
Oh so pretty
Extremely attractive
We're vacant
Our minds are empty or lacking substance
Oh we're so pretty
We have an attractive appearance
Oh so pretty
Extremely attractive
A-vacant
Empty or lacking substance
Don't ask us to attend
Don't invite us to anything
Cause we're not all there
We are not fully present or aware
Oh don't pretend 'cause I don't care
Don't act like you care because we don't
I don't believe illusions 'cause too much is real
We don't believe in fake or imaginary things because reality is enough
So stop your cheap comment
Stop making unimportant or meaningless comments
Cause we know what we feel
We are aware of our own emotions
Ah but now
But at this moment
And we don't care
We are indifferent and don't have any concern
There's no point
It's pointless
We're pretty a-pretty vacant
We may be attractive, but we lack substance
We don't care
We are indifferent and don't have any concern
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Glen Matlock, Paul Spencer Cook, Steve Jones, John Lydon
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Elke Wernicke
Tolle Coverversion
the ghost of redd foxx
I was at this show. . Delayed by one day so it's wrong on the EP.. some great psychobilly pre damned.
Elke Wernicke
Finde die Coverversion sogar besser, Wow.
Phantasmagoria 138
Really? a church? that's kinda weird hahaha