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
Second Time Around
The Damned Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Don't you wish that we were dead, second time around
Now its time for you to see, second time around
What your love so did for me, second time around
Straight up there without a hitch, second time around
I remember what you said, second time around
Don't you wish that we were dead, second time around
No more getting pushed around, second time around
Back to haunt you with our sound, second time around
The Damned's song "Second Time Around" is a classic punk rock track that critiques the fickle nature of love and relationships. The lyrics discuss a past relationship that has come back around for a second attempt, but with added resentment and bitterness. The singer remembers what their past lover said during the first attempt, which now has a different meaning in light of their current situation. The line "Don't you wish that we were dead" expresses a feeling of regret and frustration, as if the former lover wishes they had never tried again.
The lyrics also touch on the idea of success and celebrity. The line "Really famous stinking rich, second time around" suggests that the former lover has become successful and wealthy, but the singer dismisses it as irrelevant or even undesirable. The chorus then switches to a more triumphant sentiment, as the singer declares that they will no longer be pushed around and will now seek revenge through their music. The line "Back to haunt you with our sound" illustrates a sense of vindication and empowerment.
Overall, "Second Time Around" is a powerful punk song that explores themes of regret, resentment, and revenge. It represents a classic example of the genre's anti-establishment and anti-conformist ethos.
Line by Line Meaning
I remember what you said, second time around
Recalls a previous conversation or warning given by the singer
Don't you wish that we were dead, second time around
The singer imagines another meeting with the listener, who wishes they were not alive to see it
Now its time for you to see, second time around
The singer is finally able to demonstrate the effects of the listener's actions, after a prior unsuccessful explanation
What your love so did for me, second time around
The artist describes how the listener's love caused them harm or difficulty, which they now understand
Really famous stinking rich, second time around
Describes the listener's newfound success and wealth since the last encounter with the artist
Straight up there without a hitch, second time around
Further emphasizes the listener's success, suggesting their ascent was easy and uncomplicated
No more getting pushed around, second time around
The singer asserts they will not be treated poorly or unfairly again, emphasizing their newfound confidence
Back to haunt you with our sound, second time around
The artist threatens to return and trouble the listener once more, with the added endorsement of their musical prowess
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