For the People (Dropkick Murphys album)
 | This article relies largely or entirely on a single source. (June 2025) |
| For the People | ||||
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| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | July 4, 2025 | |||
| Recorded | 2024–2025 | |||
| Genre | Celtic punk | |||
| Label | Dummy Luck | |||
| Producer | Ted Hutt | |||
| Dropkick Murphys chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Okemah Rising | ||||
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For the People is the thirteenth studio album by American Celtic punk band Dropkick Murphys and was released on July 4, 2025 (streaming), and will be released on October 10, 2025 (CD and LP), on Dummy Luck Records. The CD and LP versions of the album will feature five bonus tracks that will not appear on the streaming version.
The album marks the return of longtime singer Al Barr who will appear on just one song. Barr last appeared on the band's 2021 album, Turn Up That Dial, however was absent from the band's two albums that followed. Barr in 2022 announced his hiatus from the band to take care of his ailing mother. Billy Bragg, The Scratch and The Mary Wallopers also make guest appearances.[1]
Background
[edit]"We've always had the same message and haven't been afraid to speak out about what's important to us. But for me now, I think about my kids' future, and the next generation. That could be anything from speaking out against injustices, or just simply making sure you take the time to tell the people close to you how important they are to you", lead singer Ken Casey said about the album's themes.[2] "One Last Goodbye "Tribute to Shane"", which features The Scratch, is a tribute to the Pogues singer Shane MacGowan who passed away in 2023. The lyrics in the song include the line "‘Piss off, you wanker,’ you signed on my soul".[2] Casey said that is how MacGowan signed his copy of the "Dark Streets of London". Al Barr makes his long awaited return on the song "The Vultures Circle High". "Al is still taking time off for family but he's still part of our family, so we thought it would be nice to have his voice on this record", Casey said.[2]
Billy Bragg appears on a cover of the Ewan MacColl song "School Days Are Over", a favorite of Bragg's. "Billy’s become a great friend. It’s inspiring how he’s carried on the protest singer legacy. He really walks the walk." Casey said.[2] "Chesterfields and Aftershave" was written about Casey's grandfather while "Streetlights" is about Casey's father who passed away when he was only 8 years old. "I never thought that I would write a song about the day my dad died but sometimes, like a lot of our songs, suddenly the right words or the right way to say it will pop into my head. And it’s like, ‘OK, well, now it’s time to tell that story."[2] "The Big Man" was written as an ode to Pennywise guitarist Fletcher Dragge. "Many of these songs are about the issues that do harm to regular people. "For the People" is about… life. But life can be cruel, and I don’t want to side with the people that vote for cruelty, that vote against free school lunches for kids, and vote against workers' rights, and enable corporate greed in the growing wealth divide. So if the point is to have a heart and help people, where do those characteristics exist with those that side with the billionaires and the corporations over the worker and the child," Casey said.[2]
Promotion
[edit]The album was preceded by the singles and music videos for "Sirens" (which only appears on the CD and LP versions) on September 19, 2024, and "Who'll Stand With Us?" on June 3, 2025. The band will promote the album with a 2025 summer tour with Bad Religion. On July 12, 2025, the band performed a two hour free show in Quincy, MA (which was also held to celebrate the 400th anniversay of Quincy) to promote the release of the album. The media director of the city and the band's spokesperson said around 10,000 fans turned out for the show.[3][4]
Track listing
[edit]| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Who'll Stand With Us?" | 3:51 |
| 2. | "Longshot" (featuring The Scratch) | 3:28 |
| 3. | "The Big Man" | 2:54 |
| 4. | "Chesterfields and Aftershave" | 4:31 |
| 5. | "Bury the Bones" (featuring The Mary Wallopers) | 3:28 |
| 6. | "Kids Games" | 3:02 |
| 7. | "Sooner Kill 'Em First" | 3:17 |
| 8. | "Fiending for the Lies" | 2:43 |
| 9. | "Streetlights" | 4:13 |
| 10. | "School Days Are Over" (featuring Billy Bragg) (Ewan MacColl cover) | 3:29 |
| 11. | "The Vultures Circle High" (featuring Al Barr) | 4:23 |
| 12. | "One Last Goodbye "Tribute to Shane" (featuring The Scratch) | 4:14 |
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 13. | "Take Your Bow" | |
| 14. | "Sirens" | 3:45 |
| 15. | "Straight Edge (I Liked You Better)" | |
| 16. | "A Hero Among Many" | |
| 17. | "Sirens" |
Personnel
[edit]Dropkick Murphys
- Al Barr – vocals (only appears on Track 11)
- Tim Brennan – guitar, accordion, vocals
- Ken Casey – lead vocals
- Jeff DaRosa – banjo, mandolin, acoustic guitars, vocals
- Matt Kelly – drums, percussion, vocals
- James Lynch – guitars, vocals
- Kevin Rheault – bass
Charts
[edit]| Chart (2025) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| French Rock & Metal Albums (SNEP)[5] | 60 |
References
[edit]- ^ "Dropkick Murphys Announce New Album, Unveil Single "Who'll Stand with Us?": Stream". consequence.com. Retrieved June 3, 2025.
- ^ a b c d e f "Albums Of The Week: Dropkick Murphys - For The People". tinnitist.com. Retrieved July 3, 2025.
- ^ "Dropkick Murphys says they owe Quincy " a debt of gratitude" as they perform free concert". cbsnews.com. Retrieved July 13, 2025.
- ^ "'For the people.' Dropkick Murphys draw 10,000 to Quincy for free, socially conscious show". yahoo.com. Retrieved July 13, 2025.
- ^ "Top 100 Rock & Metal Albums du semaine 28, 2025" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Edition Phonographique. Retrieved July 15, 2025.