Dream Warriors

The song Dream Warriors by Dokken, featured on their 1987 album Back for the Attack, was written specifically as the theme for the horror film A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors. Commissioned by the film’s director, the band, led by guitarist George Lynch and bassist Jeff Pilson, crafted the track to fit the movie’s title, with Don Dokken contributing lyrics inspired by a rough cut of the film. In a Songfacts interview, Don Dokken revealed he wrote a more uptempo version, while his bandmates’ version leaned heavier, ultimately shaping the final track’s iconic sound. The song’s music video, blending movie clips with original footage, featured actress Patricia Arquette as Kristen Parker and Robert Englund as Freddy Krueger, with Dokken saving her character through the power of rock. Filming the video was grueling, as Don Dokken noted in a Metal Edge interview, describing the shoot in a freezing desert warehouse as “the hardest shoot we’ve ever had,” with the band enduring hours in 25-degree conditions.

Another intriguing tidbit about Dream Warriors is its release strategy. Initially dropped as a single on February 10, 1987, it included two additional tracks: Back for the Attack, a previously unreleased song from the Under Lock and Key sessions, and a live version of Paris Is Burning. Fans, like one reviewer on Sleaze Roxx, initially felt disappointed by the single’s limited new material, expecting a full album sooner. However, the title track grew into one of Dokken’s signature songs, lauded for its vocal harmonies and Lynch’s killer guitar solo. The single hit number 22 on the Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks chart, and in 2015, VH1 ranked it the #1 killer 80s heavy metal horror movie song. Social media posts, like one from Dokken’s official X account in 2022, celebrated the song’s 35th anniversary, highlighting its enduring fanbase among “Zoo Freaks” and beyond.

Dokken formed in Los Angeles in 1978, emerging from the vibrant hard rock scene. Frontman Don Dokken, born in 1953, started as a singer in local bands, eventually forming Dokken with drummer Mick Brown. Their early days were marked by relentless gigging in LA clubs, building a loyal following. Guitarist George Lynch joined after impressing Don with his technical prowess, and bassist Juan Croucier (later replaced by Jeff Pilson) rounded out the classic lineup. Their debut album, Breaking the Chains (1983), gained traction in Europe before breaking through in the U.S. with Tooth and Nail (1984), fueled by hits like Just Got Lucky. Dokken’s blend of melodic hooks and heavy riffs earned them a Grammy nomination in 1989 and over 10 million albums sold worldwide, despite internal tensions that led to a 1989 split and subsequent reunions.

Fans can connect with Dokken through their official Facebook, Instagram, and X accounts, where they share updates and nostalgic posts about tracks like Dream Warriors. For deeper fan engagement, the Dokken Fan Club on Facebook offers a space for “Zoo Freaks” to discuss the band’s legacy. Additionally, George Lynch’s website provides insights into his contributions, while fan-driven sites like Classic Rock Forums host lively discussions about Dokken’s discography, making it easy for the Zoo Crew’s audience to dive into the band’s storied history.