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
Problem Child
The Damned Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Treating hard-to-be's like superstars
I want to come home at 3AM
I love my records
Alright and I'm going to play 'em
Problem child, problem child
We think you live much too wild
When you get home
Your daddy's gonna tan your hide
I gave a dose to my sister
Only need to be a teen-dream hipster
Don't care about my grades at school
Or my teacher
My Probation lady says, you ain't so cool
Problem child, problem child
We think you live much too wild
Problem child, problem child
When you get home
Your daddy's gonna tan your hide
Gave a dose to my sister
Only need to be a teen-dream hipster
Don't care about my grades at school
Or my teacher
My probation lady says, you ain't so cool
Problem child, problem child
We think you live much too wild
Problem child, problem child
When you get home
Your daddy's gonna tan your hide
Problem child, problem child
We think you live much too wild
Problem child, problem child
When you get home
Your daddy's gonna tan your hide
The Damned's song Problem Child appears to be a reflection of teenage angst and rebellion, stemming from the singer's desire to live life on their own terms, or be a "hip" and "cool" teen-dream hipster. The lyrics are suggestive and indicate that the singer is engaging in car theft, drinking in bars and staying out late, whilst disregarding their schoolwork which has caused them to be placed on probation. The tone of the song is playful and carefree, with the singer enjoying the freedom and excitement of living without adult supervision, with no regard for potential consequences. Even when caught by probation officers or reprimanded by authority figures, the singer appears to take this in stride, carrying on as though unaffected.
The chorus of the song acts as a warning to the singer, stating that their wild lifestyle cannot continue unabated and they will, inevitably, face punishment or consequences for their actions. The lyrics, "problem child, we think you live much too wild" suggest that the singer's behavior is having a negative impact on their surroundings and loved ones.
In summary, The Damned's song Problem Child is written in a playful, upbeat manner, and appears to reflect the mindset of a young person who feels trapped or stifled by rules, expectations and routine in their daily life. The song portrays the singer as a rebellious, carefree and mischievous individual seeking to break free and do their own thing, despite the potential risks and consequences.
Line by Line Meaning
Stealin' cars lost in bars
Engaging in reckless and illegal behavior by stealing cars and being constantly intoxicated.
Treating hard-to-be's like superstars
Treating people who are difficult to deal with as if they are famous or important.
I want to come home at 3AM
Desiring to stay out late and party until the early hours of the morning.
I love my records
Having a strong attachment to one's music collection.
Alright and I'm going to play 'em
Determined to enjoy one's music by playing it loudly and frequently.
Problem child, problem child
The singer is acknowledging that they are seen as a problematic figure.
We think you live much too wild
The singer is aware that their behavior is seen as excessive and dangerous to others.
When you get home Your daddy's gonna tan your hide
The artist anticipates punishment from a parental figure for their behavior.
I gave a dose to my sister
Sharing one's reckless behavior with others, even if it puts them in danger.
Only need to be a teen-dream hipster
Only interested in achieving a certain image or persona, regardless of the consequences or effort required.
Don't care about my grades at school Or my teacher
Lacking interest or effort in academic pursuits or the guidance of authority figures.
My probation lady says, you ain't so cool
Being reprimanded by a probation officer or other authority figure for one's behavior.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BRIAN JAMES, CHRISTOPHER JOHN MILLAR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Gene Clark
2020 ( almost) band is still better then anything now a days
Ruben Frankin
This song was meant for me. And what are you saying? The Damned was like one of the 1st hardcore punk bands ever.
Miss MonMon
Hell yeah!
StationDead96
they are the fucking best
David Waterhouse
Saw them live for the first time(of many, still watching em) at Manchester Apollo on the Machine Gun Etiquette tour, I was 15, 'VICTIM' were the support band! dx
Larz Gustafsson
Absolutely marvellous!
kabeauregardajax
Wanna' come home at 3am.. Love my records.. ALRIGHT an' i'm gonna' play them.
jsbret2729
I was gonna tell everyone at school about the Damned, but their just too good for unworthy ears. :D
Gasu Trías
😍
Mark Blackman
stiff records 7" vinyl brilliant