Die, Die My Darling

Last updated

"Die, Die My Darling"
Misfits - Die, Die My Darling cover.jpg
The single's cover artwork was derived from a 1953 issue of Chamber of Chills .
Single by the Misfits
from the album Earth A. D./Wolf's Blood
B-side
ReleasedMay 1984
RecordedAugust 1981 and October 1982
Genre Horror punk
Length3:11
Label Plan 9
Songwriter(s) Glenn Danzig
Producer(s) Spot
Misfitssingles chronology
"Halloween"
(1981)
"Die, Die My Darling"
(1984)
"Dig Up Her Bones"
(1997)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [1]

"Die, Die My Darling" is a song by the American horror punk band Misfits. It was released in May 1984 on singer Glenn Danzig's label, Plan 9 Records, seven months after the band's breakup. The song is titled after the 1965 horror film Fanatic , which had been released in the United States under the title Die! Die! My Darling! The cover of the single is derived from the cover of the September 1953 issue number 19 of the comic book Chamber of Chills . [2] The back cover artwork was created by artist Pushead. [3]

Contents

Background

The "Die, Die My Darling" single was released nine months after the Misfits' October 1983 breakup. "Die, Die My Darling" was recorded in August 1981 during sessions for Walk Among Us , but was not included on the album. A live version of "Mommy, Can I Go Out & Kill Tonight?" did appear on Walk Among Us, which was released in March 1982. "We Bite" and the studio version of "Mommy, Can I Go Out & Kill Tonight?" were recorded in a different session in October 1982. "Die, Die My Darling" was remixed and added, along with "We Bite", to the international version of the 1983 album Earth A.D./Wolfs Blood . All three tracks were added to subsequent reissues of Earth A.D./Wolfs Blood, in addition to being released as the "Die, Die My Darling" single. [3]

Release

The first pressing run of "Die, Die My Darling" consisted of 5000 black and 500 purple 12" vinyl copies, all with "C&P Hell-bent Music" on center labels. The second pressing run consisted of 500 white 12" vinyl copies. The vinyl has since been reprinted through Caroline Records. [3]

The cover of the single was derived from issue 19 of Chamber of Chills, September 1953. Chamber of Chills 19 cover.jpg
The cover of the single was derived from issue 19 of Chamber of Chills , September 1953.

"Die, Die My Darling" and "Mommy, Can I Go Out & Kill Tonight?" were both included on the 1986 compilation album Misfits , while "We Bite" was included on Collection II in 1995. All three tracks were included in the boxed set The Misfits , released in 1996.

Critical reception

Victor W. Valdivia of AllMusic reviewed "Die, Die My Darling" positively, and wrote that the title song "ranks among the best the Misfits ever recorded -- pure, brutal energy unleashed." [1] Aaron Lariviere of Stereogum ranked "Die, Die My Darling" as the best Misfits song, writing that "Never once does the energy flag. The stomp that launches the song out the gate carries through the entire running time, building up to stomp even harder before crumbling to chaos at the end", and calling it "the perfect sendoff for one of the best punk bands of all time". [4]

Track listing

All tracks are written by Glenn Danzig

Side A
No.TitleLength
1."Die, Die My Darling"3:11
Side B
No.TitleLength
1."We Bite"1:15
2."Mommy, Can I Go Out and Kill Tonight?"2:03
Total length:6:29

Personnel

Metallica version

"Die, Die My Darling"
Metallica - Die, Die My Darling cover.jpg
Single by Metallica
from the album Garage Inc.
B-side
  • "Sabbra Cadabra" (live) /
    "Mercyful Fate" (live)
ReleasedJune 7, 1999
RecordedSeptember and October 1998
Studio The Plant (Sausalito, California)
Genre Heavy metal
Length2:29
Label Elektra
Songwriter(s) Glenn Danzig
Producer(s)
Metallica singles chronology
"Whiskey in the Jar"
(1999)
"Die, Die My Darling"
(1999)
"Nothing Else Matters '99"
(1999)

"Die, Die My Darling" was covered by the American heavy metal band Metallica, who had previously covered the Misfits songs "Last Caress" and "Green Hell" in 1987, for their 1998 cover album Garage Inc. Metallica's version was released as a single in Australia, Germany, Japan, and Mexico, and reached number 26 on Billboard 's Mainstream Rock Tracks chart in the United States. [3]

Misfits guitarist Doyle Wolfgang von Frankenstein praised the cover version saying that "I couldn't believe it when I first heard it!" [5]

Track listing

Australian version
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Die, Die My Darling" (originally performed by the Misfits) Glenn Danzig 2:29
2."Sabbra Cadabra" (live; originally performed by Black Sabbath) Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, Bill Ward 7:05
3."Mercyful Fate" (live; medley of songs originally performed by Mercyful Fate) King Diamond, Hank Shermann11:11
4."Whiskey in the Jar" (cover of Thin Lizzy version) traditional 5:05
5."Turn the Page" (originally performed by Bob Seger)Bob Seger6:06
Total length:31:56
German and Japanese versions
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Die, Die My Darling" (originally performed by the Misfits)Danzig2:29
2."Sabbra Cadabra" (live; originally performed by Black Sabbath)Iommi, Butler, Ward7:05
3."Mercyful Fate" (live; medley of songs originally performed by Mercyful Fate)Diamond, Shermann11:11
Total length:20:45
Mexican version
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Die, Die My Darling" (originally performed by the Misfits)Danzig2:29
Total length:2:29

Personnel

Charts

Chart performance for "Die, Die My Darling" by Metallica
Chart (1999)Peak
position
Australia (ARIA) [6] 82
US Mainstream Rock ( Billboard ) [7] 26

Release history

Release history and formats for "Die, Die My Darling" by Metallica
RegionDateFormatLabel
United StatesJune 7, 1999 Vinyl, CD Elektra
United KingdomJune 14, 1999
AustraliaJune 19, 1999

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Misfits (band)</span> American horror punk band

The Misfits are an American punk rock band often recognized as the pioneers of the horror punk subgenre, blending punk and other musical influences with horror film themes and imagery. The group was founded in 1977 in Lodi, New Jersey, by vocalist, songwriter and keyboardist Glenn Danzig. Over the next six years, Danzig and bassist Jerry Only were the group's main members through numerous personnel changes. During this period, they released several EPs and singles, and with Only's brother Doyle as guitarist, the albums Walk Among Us (1982) and Earth A.D./Wolfs Blood (1983), both considered touchstones of the early-1980s hardcore punk movement. The band has gone through many lineup changes over the years, with bassist Jerry Only being the only constant member in the group.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Glenn Danzig</span> American rock musician

Glenn Allen Anzalone, better known by his stage name Glenn Danzig, is an American singer, songwriter, musician, and record producer. He is the founder of the rock bands Misfits, Samhain, and Danzig. He owns the Evilive record label as well as Verotik, an adult-oriented comic book publishing company.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cough/Cool</span> 1977 single by the Misfits

"Cough/Cool" is the first single released by the horror punk band the Misfits. It was released in August 1977 on singer Glenn Danzig's label Blank Records. 500 copies were produced on black 7" vinyl. Both songs from the single were re-recorded and re-released in various versions over the following twenty years.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bullet (Misfits song)</span> 1978 single by the Misfits

"Bullet" is the second single released by the horror punk band the Misfits. The four tracks comprising the EP were recorded, along with thirteen others, in early 1978 for the proposed Static Age album. When the band could not find a record label to release the album, they instead released four of the songs as "Bullet" on singer Glenn Danzig's label Plan 9 Records. The songs were re-released in different versions over subsequent years, until Static Age was finally released in its entirety in 1996.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Horror Business</span> 1979 single by the Misfits

"Horror Business" is the third single released by the American horror punk band Misfits. It was released on June 26, 1979 through vocalist Glenn Danzig's own label, Plan 9 Records, and is commonly said to have been inspired by the unsolved murder of Nancy Spungen. The B-side of the single features the songs "Teenagers from Mars" and "Children in Heat".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Night of the Living Dead (song)</span> 1979 single by the Misfits

"Night of the Living Dead" is the fourth single by the horror punk band the Misfits. It was released on October 31, 1979, on singer Glenn Danzig's label Plan 9 Records. 2,000 copies of the single were pressed on black 7" vinyl. The night of its release the band performed at Irving Plaza in New York City and sold the single at the door.

<i>Beware</i> (EP) 1980 EP by the Misfits

Beware is the fifth release by the American punk rock band Misfits. First issued in January 1980, this EP combined the Misfits' previously released singles "Bullet" and "Horror Business", and was originally intended as a recording that the Misfits could bring with them on their tour of the United Kingdom with the British punk rock group the Damned in late 1979. Along with songs from "Bullet" and "Horror Business", Beware also includes the track "Last Caress", which had never been released previously.

<i>Walk Among Us</i> 1982 studio album by the Misfits

Walk Among Us is the debut studio album by the American punk rock band Misfits, released in March 1982 by Ruby Records and its parent label Slash Records. It was the first full-length album to be released by the band, although it was the third to be recorded, after Static Age and 12 Hits from Hell. The recording sessions for Walk Among Us took place at multiple studios between June 1981 and January 1982, and the album also includes the track "Mommy, Can I Go Out and Kill Tonight?", which was recorded live at the Ritz in New York City. The album features a re-recording of the single "Night of the Living Dead", which was released on October 31, 1979.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Samhain (band)</span> American rock band

Samhain was an American rock band formed by singer Glenn Danzig in 1983, immediately following his departure from The Misfits. Glenn Danzig originally planned Samhain as a side project with Eerie Von. After the Misfits' contentious 1983 dissolution, Samhain became Danzig's full-time band.

<i>Collection II</i> 1995 compilation album by Misfits

Collection II, also known as Misfits II, a compilation album of songs by the American punk rock band Misfits. Released on November 14, 1995, it serves as a companion album to the band's previous compilation, Collection I. Both compilations collect all the early singles and the entire Earth A.D./Wolfs Blood album, and are meant to complement Walk Among Us and Legacy of Brutality with little overlap. All the early singles are supposed to be represented, although alternative versions of some songs are used instead of the original releases.

<i>Misfits</i> (Misfits album) 1986 compilation album by Misfits

Misfits is a 1986 compilation album by the American punk rock band Misfits. Officially titled Misfits, but also known as Collection, Collection 1, or Collection I, the album features twenty songs by the band. The tracks include some of the group's early singles, as well as songs from their 1982 album Walk Among Us, their 1983 album Earth A.D./Wolfs Blood, and the 1985 compilation album Legacy of Brutality, which was curated exclusively by vocalist Glenn Danzig after the band had dissolved in 1983.

<i>Earth A.D./Wolfs Blood</i> 1983 studio album by Misfits

Earth A.D./Wolfs Blood is the second studio album to be released by American punk rock band Misfits. It is the last album the group recorded with founding member Glenn Danzig on vocals, who issued the vinyl record on his Plan 9 label in December 1983, two months after he played his last concert with the band. Though the original album runs under 15 minutes in length, it is listed as an LP.

<i>Evillive II</i> 1998 live album by the Misfits

Evilive II is a 1998 live album by the American punk rock band Misfits. Featuring the "resurrected" Misfits lineup of vocalist Michale Graves, bassist Jerry Only, guitarist Doyle Wolfgang von Frankenstein, and drummer Dr. Chud, the album was recorded between October 1997 and March 1998 at a number of concerts in the United States. The album was released on CD by Caroline Records on August 14, 1998, and was made exclusively available through the official Misfits' fan club, known as "the Fiend Club", and was also sold on tour. The CD has since gone out-of-print.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Halloween (Misfits song)</span> 1981 single by the Misfits

"Halloween" is the fifth single by the American punk rock band Misfits. It was released on October 31, 1981 on singer Glenn Danzig's label Plan 9 Records. 5,000 copies of the single were pressed on black 7-inch vinyl, some of which included a lyrics sheet. This was the first Misfits release to use their Famous Monsters of Filmland-inspired logo, as well as the first to refer to the band as simply "Misfits".

<i>The Misfits</i> (album) 1996 box set by the Misfits

The Misfits is a boxed set of material by the horror punk band the Misfits, released in 1996 by Caroline Records. Packaged in a coffin-shaped, velvet-lined box, the set includes four compact discs covering most of the band's recorded material from the years when Glenn Danzig was their singer and songwriter. It also includes a "Fiend Club" pin and a booklet containing photographs, song lyrics, a discography, and a history of the band written by their photographer and associate Eerie Von. The exterior cover of the booklet was illustrated by artist Dave McKean.

"Last Caress" is a song by American punk rock band Misfits, first released on their 1980 EP Beware. Written by vocalist Glenn Danzig, the song was later included on the compilation album Collection II, released in 1995, as well as on the album Static Age, which was recorded in 1978 but not released in its entirety until 1996.

"London Dungeon" is a song by the American punk rock band Misfits. Released in 1981 on the Misfits' EP 3 Hits from Hell, the song was written by frontman and vocalist Glenn Danzig while in jail in Brixton, England with then-Misfits guitarist Bobby Steele. After having traveled to the United Kingdom for an ill-fated tour with the British punk rock group the Damned in late 1979, Danzig and Steele were arrested for their involvement in a fight, inspiring them to create the song.

"Where Eagles Dare" is a song by the American punk rock band Misfits. Written by frontman and vocalist Glenn Danzig, the song was recorded and first released in 1979, alongside the track "Rat Fink", as the B-side of the band's single "Night of the Living Dead". "Where Eagles Dare" was later included on the 1986 compilation album Misfits, also known as Collection I. A version of the song was also included on the compilation album Legacy of Brutality, which was released in 1985.

"Mommy, Can I Go Out & Kill Tonight" is a song by the American punk rock band Misfits. Written by vocalist Glenn Danzig, the song was first released as a live recording on their 1982 album Walk Among Us. A studio recording of the song was later released alongside the track "We Bite" as the B-side of the 1984 single "Die, Die My Darling". "Mommy, Can I Go Out & Kill Tonight" was later included on the 1986 compilation album Misfits, the cassette and CD releases of the album Earth A.D./Wolfs Blood, and the 1996 boxed set The Misfits.

"Skulls" is a song by the American punk rock band Misfits from the band's 1982 album Walk Among Us. The song was written by frontman and vocalist Glenn Danzig, and was later included on the 1986 compilation album Misfits, which itself was included as part of the 1996 boxed set The Misfits.

References

  1. 1 2 Valdivia, Víctor W. "Die, Die My Darling – Misfits". AllMusic . Retrieved September 5, 2019.
  2. "The Comic Book Database". comicbookdb.com. Archived from the original on April 2, 2015. Retrieved March 8, 2015.
  3. 1 2 3 4 "Misfits discography". Misfits.com. Retrieved November 27, 2008.
  4. Lariviere, Aaron (October 31, 2012). "The 10 Best Misfits Songs". Stereogum . Retrieved August 24, 2019.
  5. Angle, Brad. "Dear Guitar Hero: Doyle Wolfgang von Frankenstein Talks 'Abominator,' Misfits, Danzig and Homemade Gear". Guitar World. Retrieved April 13, 2015.
  6. Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010 (PDF ed.). Mt Martha, Victoria, Australia: Moonlight Publishing. p. 185.
  7. "Metallica Chart History (Mainstream Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved August 25, 2022.