Come Again

The song "Come Again" by Damn Yankees from their self-titled debut album, released in 1990, carries a unique story tied to its creation. According to an interview with Tommy Shaw, the track was born during a collaborative session with Ted Nugent, who was inspired by his budding romance with his future wife, Shemane. Shaw recalls Nugent arriving at the session dressed to impress, with "poofed out" hair and leather pants, aiming to make a good impression. Shaw contributed the guitar part, while Nugent penned the lyrics, infusing the song with a personal touch. Initially starting with a ballad-like intro, "Come Again" shifts into a driving rock anthem, which helped it gain significant airplay on AOR charts, as noted in various music reviews from the era.

Another piece of trivia about "Come Again" comes from its recording process, detailed in a 2016 Ultimate Classic Rock feature. The band, under the guidance of producer Ron Nevison, recorded the entire debut album, including "Come Again," remarkably efficiently. They completed basic tracks at A&M Studios in just one week, after a live run-through at a small demo studio near Jack Blades’ home in Sonoma County. This preparation allowed the band to capture a raw, live energy in the studio, which shines through in the song’s dynamic shift from a mellow opening to its rocking core. The song’s appeal endures, as evidenced by a 2010 NAMM Show performance where the original lineup played an acoustic version of "Come Again," delighting fans, as reported by music blogs covering the event.

Damn Yankees was formed in 1989 as a supergroup, bringing together seasoned musicians facing career crossroads. Tommy Shaw, previously with Styx, was navigating a solo career after his 1987 album Ambition failed to chart. Jack Blades, bassist and vocalist from Night Ranger, was at loose ends after his band’s dissolution in 1988. Ted Nugent, the “Motor City Madman,” was coming off a career low with his 1988 album If You Can’t Lick ‘Em…Lick ‘Em, which peaked at No. 112. Drummer Michael Cartellone, who later joined Lynyrd Skynyrd, had worked with Shaw’s solo band. The group was masterminded by A&R legend John Kalodner, who saw potential in uniting these talents to create a new hard rock force, as detailed in a 2016 Ultimate Classic Rock retrospective.

The band’s formation was a response to the late-1980s trend of supergroups, like Bad English and Mr. Big, as their original bands faced declining commercial success. Their debut album, produced by Ron Nevison and released by Warner Bros. Records, went double platinum, driven by hits like "High Enough" and "Coming of Age," alongside "Come Again." Despite their success, the band only released one more album, Don’t Tread, in 1992, before parting ways due to label shifts and changing musical trends. A 1999 attempt at a third album, tentatively titled Bravo, fell apart, with some tracks later appearing on solo projects, as Jack Blades noted in an interview with MelodicRock.com.

For fans looking to connect with Damn Yankees, official band social media accounts are scarce, as the group has not been active as a unit in recent years. However, band members maintain individual online presences. Tommy Shaw is active with Styx on Facebook, Instagram, and X. Jack Blades engages fans through Night Ranger’s Facebook, Instagram, and X. Ted Nugent shares updates on his official website, Facebook, Instagram, and X. Fan communities thrive on platforms like Facebook’s Damn Yankees Fan Group, where enthusiasts share memories and updates. Websites like MelodicRock.com and Rate Your Music also host fan discussions and discography details for the band.