Don Dokken has addressed the songwriting credit controversy from Dokken’s 1985 album ‘Under Lock And Key’ in a recent interview with Grant’s Rock Warehouse. He revealed a significant compromise made to maintain band harmony during a crucial period in their career.
“Every song on Dokken’s albums was always written by us. I can throw a lot of people under the bus… So-and-so wrote… Look at the credits. This person wrote this song, this person wrote this song, this person wrote this song,” Don Dokken explained.
“So then we had a little bit of a tiff, because [on Dokken’s third album, 1985’s] ‘Under Lock And Key’, it just said ‘Don Dokken’, ‘Don Dokken’, ‘Don Dokken’, ‘Don Dokken’,” he continued.
“And George [Lynch, then-Dokken guitarist] went ballistic. So at the last minute, you can look at the back and it says, ‘All songs written by Dokken, and Dokken is George Lynch, Jeff Pilson…’ And I went, ‘Oh, that’s so petty.’ I mean, it didn’t matter who wrote the song ’cause I made a deal with the devil,” he added.
The interview took place during The 80s Cruise on March 8, 2025. Don Dokken used this opportunity to share previously undisclosed details about the band’s internal dynamics.
These revelations provide new insight into the complex relationship between band members during their most successful period. The details specifically highlight the creative process behind their iconic albums.
The Songwriting Compromise
A report from Blabbermouth reveals Don Dokken’s significant financial sacrifice. He relinquished 75 percent of the songwriting credits to preserve harmony within the band. This decision stemmed primarily from ongoing tensions with guitarist George Lynch.
Despite being the primary songwriter for many of the band’s hits, Dokken opted for an equal split. He divided the credits four ways among all band members, including Lynch, bassist Jeff Pilson, and drummer Mick Brown.
Album Success And Creative Dynamics
Ultimate Classic Rock documents the commercial success of ‘Under Lock and Key.’ The album thrived despite internal creative tensions. Its creation process combined both collaborative efforts and individual contributions.
The album’s success proved particularly noteworthy. It demonstrated the band’s ability to produce compelling music while managing complex interpersonal relationships. The songwriting contributions of George Lynch and Jeff Pilson helped create the album’s distinctive sound.
Legacy Of The Decision
Melodic Rock highlights how the songwriting credit arrangement became a pivotal moment in Dokken’s history. The decision to distribute credits equally among band members established a new precedent for their future collaborations.
The compromise had a significant financial impact on Don Dokken. However, it enabled the band to continue creating music during their mid-1980s peak. The underlying tensions from this period would continue to influence their relationships in subsequent years.
