Damn Yankees – “Come Again”: A Powerhouse of Emotion and Guitar Mastery
Few songs encapsulate the spirit of late-’80s and early-’90s hard rock quite like “Come Again” by Damn Yankees. Released on their 1990 self-titled debut album, this track wasn’t a massive radio hit, but it became one of the band’s most emotionally charged and musically dynamic pieces. Combining the soaring melody-driven songwriting of Jack Blades (Night Ranger), the gritty, raw vocal power of Tommy Shaw (Styx), and the blistering guitar work of Ted Nugent, “Come Again” showcases the band at their absolute peak.
The song begins with an almost delicate, melancholy acoustic intro, where Shaw’s vocals drip with nostalgia and longing. It feels like a lament, a reflection on lost love or time slipping away. But as the song progresses, it builds into a roaring hard rock explosion, driven by Nugent’s ferocious guitar work and the band’s razor-sharp harmonies. The contrast between the song’s introspective softness and explosive energy makes it a standout track, pulling listeners through an emotional rollercoaster before culminating in a fiery solo that only Nugent could deliver.
“Come Again” might not have been a chart-topping single like “High Enough”, but it remains a deep-cut favorite for fans who appreciate the sheer power and musicianship of Damn Yankees. It’s a song that captures both the sensitivity and the raw intensity that made this supergroup such a force in early-’90s rock.