Step into the metal machine and break free with Dokken's electrifying debut anthem.
The Song
"Breaking the Chains" is the title track from Dokken's debut studio album, originally released in Europe in 1981 under the title Breakin' the Chains on Carrere Records, and later re-released in the U.S. in 1983 by Elektra Records with different mixes and song titles. The song is a quintessential example of early 80s heavy metal and glam metal, characterized by its driving riffs and melodic vocals.
Written by Don Dokken and George Lynch, with Mick Brown also credited on the track, the song's powerful message of liberation was partly inspired by the German band Accept. While working in Germany with the Scorpions, Don Dokken heard Accept's Udo Dirkschneider repeatedly sing "We're going to break the chains," which struck a chord with him. Don Dokken also viewed the title as a personal declaration, signifying his band's "now or never" shot at success in the music industry.
The Artist
Dokken formed in Los Angeles in 1978, quickly becoming a prominent force in the burgeoning heavy metal and hard rock scene. The classic lineup that achieved widespread recognition in the 1980s featured Don Dokken on vocals, George Lynch on lead guitar, Mick Brown on drums, and Jeff Pilson on bass.
However, the band underwent early personnel changes. Juan Croucier was the bassist for the initial European release of Breakin' the Chains and co-wrote several tracks. He departed to join Ratt in 1983, just before the filming of the "Breaking the Chains" music video, and was replaced by Jeff Pilson, who would become a long-standing member. Dokken went on to sell over ten million albums worldwide, with several singles charting on the Billboard Hot 100 throughout the decade.
Chart Performance
While "Breaking the Chains" is a foundational track for Dokken, its initial chart performance in the United States was modest. The single peaked at number 32 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart and remained on the chart for 13 weeks.
The album Breaking the Chains itself reached number 136 on the Billboard 200 chart in the US after its Elektra Records release in 1983. Despite this, the album laid the groundwork for Dokken's breakthrough success with their subsequent releases, Tooth and Nail (1984) and Under Lock and Key (1985), which garnered significantly more attention and sales.
Cultural Impact
As Dokken's first American single and accompanying music video, "Breaking the Chains" introduced the band to a wider audience, especially as metal and hard rock gained traction on MTV. Although this particular video didn't receive heavy rotation on MTV compared to later singles like "Alone Again," it was an early glimpse into the band's visual style and powerful stage presence.
The song's title track was later recognized by VH1 as the 62nd greatest hard rock song, cementing its place in rock history. Its inclusion in the 2006 video game Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories on the fictional radio station "V-ROCK" further introduced it to a new generation, underscoring its enduring appeal as a classic metal anthem.
Fun Facts
- The music video for "Breaking the Chains" was directed by Allan Arkush, known for films like Rock 'n' Roll High School.
- Bassist Jeff Pilson appears in the video, though Juan Croucier was the bassist on the original European recording. Croucier left the band just weeks before filming to join Ratt.
- One iconic shot in the video features George Lynch playing a guitar with actual chains instead of strings, a visually striking effect that captured the song's theme.
- The video's concept involved the band being chained up in a dungeon, symbolizing the "breaking free" narrative.
- The album Breaking the Chains was initially released in Europe in 1981, credited to "Don Dokken" before the band fully solidified their lineup under the Dokken name for the US release.