*Take a ride into the heart of 80s heavy metal with Dokken's iconic video for "The Hunter".*
The Song
Released in 1985, "The Hunter" is a quintessential heavy metal track from Dokken's acclaimed album, Under Lock and Key. Penned collaboratively by band members Mick Brown, Don Dokken, George Lynch, and Jeff Pilson, the song features a powerful blend of melodic rock and hard-hitting instrumentation. Its lyrics evoke a sense of longing and relentless pursuit, with lines like "I'm a hunter / Searching for love / On these lonely streets again" and "Searching for the things / That I might never find again," resonating with themes of introspection amidst the hard rock bravado. The song was produced by Neil Kernon and Michael Wagener.
The Artist
Dokken is an American glam metal and heavy metal band that emerged from Los Angeles in 1978. The classic lineup, featuring Don Dokken on vocals, George Lynch on lead guitar, Jeff Pilson on bass, and Mick Brown on drums, became synonymous with the vibrant 1980s hard rock scene. Known for their potent mix of melodic songwriting and George Lynch's virtuosic guitar work, Dokken carved out a significant niche, ultimately selling over 10 million albums worldwide.
Chart Performance
"The Hunter" made its mark on the U.S. charts, peaking at number 25 on the Mainstream Rock chart. The single enjoyed a respectable run, remaining on the chart for nine weeks, solidifying its place as a fan favorite. The parent album, Under Lock and Key, was also a commercial success, selling over one million copies, further cementing Dokken's prominence in the mid-80s rock landscape. While the band had other successful singles, their highest entry on the Billboard Hot 100 was "Alone Again", which reached number 64.
Cultural Impact
The music video for "The Hunter" stands as a strong visual artifact of the 1980s hair metal era, showcasing the band's aesthetic and musical prowess. It's an example of how music videos, especially on platforms like MTV, were crucial in boosting the visibility of "radio-friendly" rock songs during that period. The video notably employed the "Kim Anderson effect," a distinctive visual technique involving the selective coloring of elements within a black and white image, a common stylistic choice in many 80s rock videos.
Fun Facts
- The video features individual storylines for each band member, each adding a layer of visual storytelling to the song's themes.
- Bassist Jeff Pilson's segment is particularly memorable, depicting him first caged, then seemingly hunted through a wooded area by a torch-wielding group.
- In contrast, Don Dokken is seen riding a motorcycle, while drummer Mick Brown is shown hanging out in a dive bar.
- During George Lynch's guitar solo, the video cleverly features a montage of his guitars rather than a focus on the guitarist himself.
- Filming locations are hinted at within the video, with a bus displaying a KBIG FM 104 ad and Mick Brown walking along the iconic Hollywood Walk of Fame, confirming its Los Angeles roots.