Smile, little lamb
When I am through with you
There won’t be anything left
When I am through with you
There won’t be anything left
When I am through with you
There won’t be anything left
When I am through with you
Oh come back now, where did you go?
No need to cower, don’t know
If I can even turn your light on
Hello Daisy, is that you?
Hiding in the grass
I’ve come to pluck you
I’m gonna pluck you right in half
When I am through with you
There won’t be anything left
When I am through with you
There won’t be anything left
When I am through with you
I come to the city alone
I packed up my life and my home
‘Cause I feel like a body at rest
Is a life in Hell
So unpack my bags, unpack my bags
Kiss her on the mouth and she says
“Smile, little lamb”
When I am through with you
There won’t be anything left
When I am through with you
I’m on to all you have left
When I am through with you
When I am through with you
There won’t be anything left
Behind the Music: Meaning & Story
The Damages theme song, “When I Am Through With You” by The VLA, is a haunting and predatory track that serves as a perfect psychological blueprint for the series. The lyrics “Smile, little lamb” and “I’ve come to pluck you right in half” mirror the toxic, manipulative relationship between high-stakes litigator Patty Hewes (Glenn Close) and her ambitious protégée Ellen Parsons (Rose Byrne).
Premiering on FX in 2007, Damages revolutionized the legal drama genre with its non-linear storytelling and focus on the personal costs of winning at all costs. The theme song’s gritty, industrial sound highlights the show’s dark atmosphere. It captures the essence of Patty Hewes—a woman who views people as assets to be used and eventually discarded. The “little lamb” imagery is particularly potent, representing Ellen’s initial innocence before she is hardened by the cutthroat world of New York litigation.
Over its five seasons, the show maintained a high level of tension, earning critical acclaim and multiple Emmy Awards. The theme song remained a staple of the series, perfectly encapsulating the theme of destruction that follows every major case. For fans, the opening notes of The VLA’s track immediately signal the beginning of a complex web of lies, betrayal, and legal warfare.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the band The VLA?
The VLA is an indie rock band whose dark, atmospheric sound became widely known through the Damages opening titles. The song “When I Am Through With You” was specifically chosen for its aggressive yet sophisticated tone.
Is Damages based on a true story?
While the show is fictional, many of the cases (especially in the first season) draw heavy inspiration from real-world corporate scandals, such as the Enron collapse and the Madoff investment scandal.
Why did the show move to the Audience Network?
After the third season, FX cancelled the series due to high production costs. However, DirecTV’s Audience Network picked it up for its final two seasons, allowing the creators to conclude the story of Patty and Ellen.
