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
Thanks For The Night
The Damned Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The swag and a lovely affray
Thanks for the night
You give and we take it away
It was a smash and grab conflab
An all night show and we weren't nabbed
A thrill for one and all, a ball
Thanks for the night
Well I know a place
Where we can have fun tonight
Yeah I know a place
Where we can be one tonight
Old Bill & Ben and all his friends will be there
Standing in a row
The News At Ten and ITN will be there
Don't be slow
The fires ignite
All down the road
The scene explodes and I say
It's been alright
Thanks for the night
A fine affair
The narks are there
And we don't care 'cause I say
It's been alright
Thanks for the night
The fires ignite
All down the road
The scene explodes and I say
It's been alright
Thanks for the night
A fine affair
The narks are there
And we don't care 'cause I say
It's been alright
Thanks for the night
The fires ignite
All down the road
The scene explodes and I say
It's been alright
Thanks for the night
A fine affair
The narks are there
And we don't care 'cause I say
It's been alright
Thanks for the night
The Damned's song "Thanks for the Night" is a classic punk rock song from the late 70s. It is a fast-paced, energetic song that captures the spirit of rebellion and anti-establishment sentiment that was so prevalent in punk music at the time. The lyrics are a celebration of a night of mayhem and mischief, with the singer thanking his friends and fellow troublemakers for a night of wild fun. The song is filled with vivid imagery of fires igniting, scenes exploding, and narks (cops) showing up, but the singer doesn't care because he's had a great time.
The first verse of the song sets the tone for the rest of the lyrics. The singer gives thanks for the night and the "lovely affray" that he and his friends have caused. He acknowledges that they take what they want and leave chaos in their wake, but he seems to revel in the thrill of it all. The second verse is an invitation to join in the fun. The singer knows a place where they can have a good time and encourages whoever is listening to come along. He paints a picture of Old Bill & Ben (British slang for policemen), the News at Ten and ITN (a UK news program), all being there, but insists that they shouldn't be slow to come.
The chorus repeats the sentiment of the first verse, with the singer thanking everyone for the night and describing it as a "fine affair." He acknowledges that the narks are there, but doesn't care because the night has been worth it. The final lines of the song are a triumphant declaration that the scene has exploded and the night has been a success.
Overall, the song captures the anarchic spirit of punk rock, with its rejection of authority and embrace of chaos. The lyrics are a celebration of a night of wild fun, with no apologies for the havoc that was wrought.
Line by Line Meaning
Well thanks for the night
Expressing gratitude for the exciting night
The swag and a lovely affray
Appreciating the great fun and excitement, and possibly stolen goods obtained
Thanks for the night
Further acknowledging the enjoyment of the night they had
You give and we take it away
Acknowledging that they may have taken things that were not theirs on this wild night
It was a smash and grab conflab
Describing their actions as a hasty criminal act
An all night show and we weren't nabbed
Taking pride in the fact that they were not caught in their misdeeds all night long
A thrill for one and all, a ball
Recounting the exciting experience enjoyed by all who took part
Join us or be a fool
Inviting others to join in on the fun, and warning them not to miss out
Well I know a place
Conveying confidence in knowing a great spot for a good time
Where we can have fun tonight
Suggesting that they head to this place for another wild night
Yeah I know a place
Confirming that they have already planned to go to this spot
Where we can be one tonight
Promising that they will all come together and have a great time
Old Bill & Ben and all his friends will be there
Referring to the police and hinting at the daring nature of their planned activities
Standing in a row
Painting a picture of the police lined up and ready to catch anyone who acts out of line
The News At Ten and ITN will be there
Suggesting that the media will be present to report on any wild events that take place
Don't be slow
Encouraging others to move quickly and get in on the action before it's too late
The fires ignite
Describing the chaotic scene with things literally on fire
All down the road
Showing the extent and intensity of the chaos and excitement
The scene explodes and I say
Portraying the wild events as explosive and exciting
It's been alright
Expressing satisfaction with how the night went
A fine affair
Describing the overall experience as good and enjoyable
The narks are there
Acknowledging the presence of police and other authorities, but not letting it deter them
And we don't care 'cause I say
Showing a rebellious attitude towards potential consequences of their actions
Thanks for the night
Repeating their gratitude for the fun they had
Writer(s): Raymond Ian Burns, Sensible, Burns Copyright: Rock Music Co. Ltd., Anglo-rock Inc.
Contributed by Dominic K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@pauloreilly2881
One of my favourite ever bands, I was into Punk music from such a young age from older friends and their siblings, I'm 55 years old now.
Thanks for the journey, its never ending...
@Tungstencube66
Same 55
@Brewzerr
One year since we lost Bryn Merrick. Remembering him today. Thanks for the bass.
@Noodles37UK
Thinking of him and Chris Squire yesterday, listening to the first Edward the Bear. They died the same week.
@settingson6663
Bryn a fine gent, and a superb musician. He's on point from day one with the Damned.
@guttersnippeesmithers3905
Massively underrated bass player
@stevethomas5849
He made a great Mexican in
" Alone Again Or" video. I am glad I met him at a Damned gig in Bristol, he was ill at the time and was watching the band like the rest of us.
He should of been playing on that stage cause that's what he did.
@TheQuakerKId
The original and the best version. Cheers for sharing.
@MatHopkins_1967
Not the original version, that's on Captains solo album, The Power of Love (1983) a year before this version!
@teddy1066
Cảm ơn vì buổi tối 🇻🇳