The band formed in December of 1996, originally consisting of Skiba, Rob Doran (bass/vocals), and Glenn Porter (drums/vocals). 1997 saw the release of the band's first EP, Sundials. This was followed shortly after by the departure of Doran. He was replaced by Andriano, who had been the singer for Tuesday and bassist for the ska band Slapstick. The band released their second EP, entitled For Your Lungs Only, in 1998, which began to build them a sizable fan base in the American Midwest. Later that year, they released their first full-length album, Goddamnit, followed by Maybe I'll Catch Fire in 2000. Both were released on Asian Man Records. Also in 2000, the band released a collection of their previously-released EPs on a self-titled album.
Following the success of their Asian Man releases, Alkaline Trio signed to Vagrant. Joined by new drummer Mike Felumlee (previously of the Smoking Popes), From Here to Infirmary was released in 2001. It was their first album to see any interest from alternative radio and the mainstream media, with the semi-hit punk single "Stupid Kid" and the inclusion of the song "Armageddon" on the Tony Hawk's Underground as well as Tony Hawks American Wasteland video games. Their cover of "Over at the Frankenstein Place" was included in the compilation The Rocky Horror Punk Rock Show, an album made to pay tribute to the movie The Rocky Horror Picture Show.
After the release, Felumlee left the band too and was replaced by Grant, previously of The Suicide Machines.
Their next full-length album was Good Mourning, released in 2003, with the album's launch single "We've Had Enough" seeing a considerable amount of commercial success. The album was a significant departure from earlier works, featuring greater production value and a noticeable move toward a more mainstream sound.
The band has also appeared on various compilation albums, notably Plea for Peace Vol. 1 and Rock Against Bush Vol. 1. Skiba and Andriano have both independently recorded split records, Skiba with Kevin Seconds on Asian Man Records and Andriano with Mike Felumlee on Double Zero Records, as well as jointly performing backing vocal duties on the album This is Unity Music by Common Rider. They have also recorded two split EPs with bands who are no longer together: one with Hot Water Music in 2000 and the other with One Man Army in 2004.
Alkaline Trio released their fifth studio album on Vagrant Records, entitled Crimson, on May 24, 2005, which featured the single "Time to Waste." The single for this song also included bonus tracks produced by Mass Giorgini. The tracks "Mercy Me" and "Burn" have also been released as singles from the album.
In 2004 Andriano became a member of The Falcon, a super-group of consisting of The Lawrence Arms' bassist/co-vocalist Brendan Kelly (with who he had played with in Slapstick), and Neil Hennessy, drummer from The Lawrence Arms. The band released a 5-song EP in 2004, and its first full-length Unicornography in September of 2006.
In 2006 Matt Skiba collaborated with Josiah Steinbrick for the band Heavens.
In 2008 Alkaline Trio released Agony & Irony on Epic Records. The album charted at #13 on the Billboard 200.
Alkaline Trio's 7th studio album, This Addiction,was released on February 23rd 2010. This was their first album under their own label, Heart & Skull, an offshoot of Epitaph, and the album debuted at #11 on the Billboard 200, making it the highest the band has ever charted to date.
Alkaline Trio's eighth studio album, Damnesia,, was released July 12, 2011. Consisting of "a selection of beloved fan favorites selected from the group's extensive catalogue and presented in an intimate semi-unplugged format", the album also included two new songs, "Olde English 800" and "I Remember a Rooftop", as well as a cover version of the Violent Femmes' "I Held Her in My Arms".
On April 2nd, 2013, Alkaline Trio released "My Shame Is True".
On August 31st, 2013, Alkaline Trio released "Is This Thing Cursed?".
On June 8th, 2023, longtime drummer Derek Grant left the band due to mental health reasons and intentions to pursue music production as well as graphic design. He was replaced by Atom Willard, formerly of bands such as Rocket from the Crypt and Against Me!. The band then released the single, "Blood, Hair, and Eyeballs" on October 17th, 2023, and announced an album of the same name due for a release date of January 26th, 2024.
You've Got So Far to Go
Alkaline Trio Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
So tonight I'll raise my glass to us
Cause we've talked so much
I think we filled this ashtray twice, and I'm pretty sure
We emptied every bottle in the place, so
Let's walk home, let's be afraid
I want to grab you by the arms and kiss you so hard
Let's do it right under the streetlight
Way to go, way to go
Forgot you've got so far to go
Way to go, way to go
Forgot you've got so far to go
I heard everybody's voice cut out when you spoke
And I watched all the lights go dim
When your eyes opened
Well I can't believe you showed up, what do I do now?
It's last call, time to go
But before we say goodnight
Let's walk home, let's be afraid
I want to grab you by the arms and kiss you so hard
Let's do it right under the streetlight
I want it now, somehow I forgot how
Way to go, way to go
Forgot you've got so far to go
Way to go, way to go
Forgot you've got so far to go
Forgot you've got so far, you've got so far to go
Forgot you've got so far, you've got so far to go
Forgot you've got so far, you've got so far to go
Forgot you've got so far, you've got so far to go
"You've Got So Far to Go" by Alkaline Trio is a song about living in the moment and being present with someone you care about. The singer seems to be romantically interested in someone and is enjoying their time together, but is also aware that they both have a long journey ahead of them. The song begins with the realization that the night is coming to an end and the singer's desire to savor the moment. They mention how they've "talked so much," emptied every bottle in the place, and filled the ashtray twice. The singer then urges their companion to walk home with them and "be afraid," indicating a sense of excitement and anticipation.
The chorus, "Way to go, way to go, Forgot you've got so far to go," highlights the juxtaposition of enjoying the present moment while also acknowledging the future. The singer recognizes that both they and their companion have "so far to go" in their lives and that the night, and their time together, is fleeting.
The second verse delves deeper into the singer's feelings for their companion. They remark on how everyone else seemed to fade away when their companion spoke, and how their eyes had a captivating effect. The singer is surprised their companion showed up and is torn between wanting to stay with them and the reality of last call. The chorus is repeated, emphasizing the theme of living in the moment while keeping in mind the future journey.
Overall, "You've Got So Far to Go" reminds us to cherish the moments we have with loved ones while also acknowledging that life is a journey and we have much to experience.
Line by Line Meaning
Soon ends our stay here and it's been fun
Our time together is almost over and I've enjoyed it
So tonight I'll raise my glass to us
I want to toast to our good times together
Cause we've talked so much
We've had such great conversations
I think we filled this ashtray twice, and I'm pretty sure
We've spent a lot of time smoking and chatting
We emptied every bottle in the place, so
We've had a lot to drink and enjoyed ourselves
Let's walk home, let's be afraid
We should be cautious but still want to spend time together
I want to grab you by the arms and kiss you so hard
I have strong feelings for you and want to express them physically
Let's do it right under the streetlight
Let's make this moment special and memorable
I want it now, somehow I forgot how
I desire to be close to you, but I'm not sure how to go about it
Way to go, way to go
You're doing great
Forgot you've got so far to go
Don't forget that there is still a long way to go
I heard everybody's voice cut out when you spoke
I can't help but pay full attention to you when you talk
And I watched all the lights go dim
You have a captivating presence that makes everything else fade away
When your eyes opened
Your gaze has a powerful effect on me
Well I can't believe you showed up, what do I do now?
I'm surprised and excited that you're here; not sure how to proceed
It's last call, time to go
The night is coming to an end and we have to leave soon
But before we say goodnight
Let's make the most of the little bit of time we have left
Forgot you've got so far to go
Don't forget that there is still a long way to go
Forgot you've got so far, you've got so far to go
There's still a lot of life left to live
Forgot you've got so far, you've got so far to go
Don't lose sight of the bigger picture
Forgot you've got so far, you've got so far to go
Keep pushing forward towards your goals
Forgot you've got so far, you've got so far to go
Life is a journey, keep moving forward
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: DANIEL ANDRIANO, GLENN PORTER, MATT SKIBA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind