Mr. Scary

Album: Back For The Attack (1987)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This menacing instrumental was written by Dokken guitarist George Lynch and bass player Jeff Pilson. It was written to be a heavy track on the album, balancing out the faster tunes and the mid-tempo numbers. The plan was to have lead singer Don Dokken add vocals to it, but the song didn't sync with his voice. "He just wasn't feeling it, which I can understand," Lynch said in his Songfacts interview. "You can't really sing over that song in retrospect."
  • After determining that the song was going to be an instrumental, George Lynch stayed up all night tracking it at Total Access Recording in Redondo Beach, California. "It was one of the more memorable tracking sessions ever in my life, because it was so magical - all that stuff just happened," he told us. "It says something about songwriting: when you have a larger inspiration, it really takes it over the edge and pushes it to the next level."
  • Back For The Attack, Dokken's fourth album, ended up being their last before their breakup in 1989. They were at the height of their commercial success when they split over drug-fueled infighting. The band didn't get back together until 1994.

Comments: 2

  • Dukebius from WorldDokken was an average vocalist, that's why he didn't sing over this one. And I'm happy he didn't, would have ruined it
  • Gabriel Sica from Saint Louis, MoSaw George Lynch at The Limelight in NYC in the 90s. I was diagnosed with pneumonia the next day. Lynch was phenomenal.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

George Clinton

George ClintonSongwriter Interviews

When you free your mind, your ass may follow, but you have to make sure someone else doesn't program it while it's wide open.

Mike Campbell

Mike CampbellSongwriter Interviews

Mike is lead guitarist with Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers, and co-writer of classic songs like "Boys Of Summer," "Refugee" and "The Heart Of The Matter."

Sub Pop Founder Bruce Pavitt On How To Create A Music Scene

Sub Pop Founder Bruce Pavitt On How To Create A Music SceneSong Writing

With $50 and a glue stick, Bruce Pavitt created Sub Pop, a fanzine-turned-label that gave the world Nirvana and grunge. He explains how motivated individuals can shift culture.

Jackie DeShannon - "Put a Little Love in Your Heart"

Jackie DeShannon - "Put a Little Love in Your Heart"They're Playing My Song

It wasn't her biggest hit as a songwriter (that would be "Bette Davis Eyes"), but "Put a Little Love in Your Heart" had a family connection for Jackie.

Dino Cazares of Fear Factory

Dino Cazares of Fear FactorySongwriter Interviews

The guitarist/songwriter explains how he came up with his signature sound, and deconstructs some classic Fear Factory songs.

Gary Lewis

Gary LewisSongwriter Interviews

Gary Lewis and the Playboys had seven Top 10 hits despite competition from The Beatles. Gary talks about the hits, his famous father, and getting drafted.