One Way Ticket to Hell... and Back

The album was produced by Roy Thomas Baker, best known for his work with Queen, a major influence on the Darkness. Bassist Frankie Poullain left the band part way through the recording of the album, with bass guitars on the album played by Dan Hawkins. Poullain said that "Hazel Eyes" is his favourite track on the record, saying, "I defy anyone after a couple of beverages to listen to 'Hazel Eyes' standing up and NOT get the Michael Flatleys." Poullain was already familiar with six of the ten songs on the album, having played "Hazel Eyes", "Dinner Lady Arms", "Seemed Like a Good Idea at the Time" and "English Country Garden" on tour with the band before his departure. He also co-wrote four of the tracks featured on the album. The working title for the album was The Painstaking. In November 2025, the band released a 20th anniversary deluxe edition of the album, contaning a remaster of the album, along with 3 bonus discs containing b-sides, demos, and live recordings. ==Track listing==

• "Wanker" (B-side to One Way Ticket) (J. Hawkins/D. Hawkins) – 3:07 • "Grief Hammer" (B-side to One Way Ticket) (J. Hawkins/D. Hawkins) – 3:12 • "Shake (Like a Lettuce Leaf)" (B-side to Is It Just Me?) (J. Hawkins/D. Hawkins) – 3:18 • "Shit Ghost" (B-side to Is It Just Me?) (J. Hawkins/D. Hawkins) – 3:10 ==Reception==

Reviews for the album were mixed. Q magazine proclaimed it the 22nd best album of 2005. However Planet Sound remarked how it was the "world's most expensive penis joke", regarding the costly delay of the album, and hyper-masculine themes throughout. In an interview with The Sun, Dan said that it cost £1 million to make. ==Personnel==

• Justin Hawkins – vocals, lead guitars, sitar, piano, Hammond organ, Mini-moog, synths • Dan Hawkins – guitars, bass, tubular bells, marching drums, tambourine, triangle, backing vocals • Ed Graham – drums • Richie Edwards – bass, backing vocals Additional musicians • Freddy Gomez – pan flute on "One Way Ticket" • Stuart Cassells – bagpipes on "Hazel Eyes" ==Charts==