Formed in 2006, the band derived its name from the Wilco song, “I Am Trying to Break Your Heart,” and is led by band founder and lead vocalist/ guitarist BJ Barham. A new lineup was announced in April 2017 with new faces joining the ranks: Crooks drummer Joey Bybee, Damn Quails bass player Ben Hussey and guitarist Shane Boeker – all from Texas – along with Nashville pedal-steel player Adam Kurtz, who also fronts Music City's experimental Buck Owens tribute Buck N' Stuff. Bybee left in August 2018 and was replaced by Nashville-based drummer Matty Alger, who in turn left in February 2019. Kurtz left the band after the Mile Zero fest in January 2019, and Hussey left in July 2019.
Their first album, Antique Hearts, was released in 2006, followed by The Bible and the Bottle in 2008.
In 2012, American Aquarium released two albums: Live in Raleigh and Burn. Flicker. Die.
The band released their sixth original album, Wolves, in February 2015.[7] The band's fans helped raise $24,000 through a Kickstarter project to help fund the album's production, and the album was recorded in Asheville, North Carolina at Echo Mountain.
On November 25, 2016 "Live at Terminal West" was released by the band from a live show recording in November 2015 at Terminal West in Atlanta, Georgia.
Things Change was released on New West Records in 2018, followed by
Lamentations (on New West Records) in 2020.
Betting Man
American Aquarium Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Drank myself to sleep again last night
And i woke up in a stranger's arms
I woke up with a stranger's arms holding me tight
I thought of you and me
And what it is we used to be
And if I was a betting man
I ain't a betting man
God only knows I'm a betting man
You were running through my mind like a steamboat
On a Mississippi riverbed
You were running through my mind like a steamboat
On a Mississippi riverbed
Those words you said
They cut me deep like a lock blade knife
They cut me to the bone
You can only cut a man so deep
'Fore he's gonna wash his hands
I wash my hands of you and me
And what it is we used to be
And if I was a betting man
I'd throw everything I had on you
I ain't a betting man
God only knows I'm a betting man
You were running through my mind like a steamboat
On a Mississippi riverbed
You were running through my mind like a steamboat
On a Mississippi riverbed
The song "Betting Man" by American Aquarium seems to be about an intoxicated man who wakes up in a stranger's arms and is reminded of his past love experiences with someone who hurt him deeply. His memories of this person, who is constantly on his mind, are compared to the image of a steamboat running through a riverbed, signifying the overwhelming and powerful effect she has on his mind. The lyrics express his pain and vow to let go of the relationship, saying that he has washed his hands of her and everything they used to be. Despite this, the chorus acknowledges that if he were a betting man, he would still put all his hopes and trust into this woman, showing the strength of his attachment despite the pain she caused.
Overall, the song seems to convey the complexity of love and relationships, the way that they can be painful yet all-consuming, and the difficulties of letting go even when it seems necessary. The lyrics are poetic and expressive, using vivid imagery to convey the man's emotions and experiences.
Line by Line Meaning
Well i drank myself to sleep again
Last night, I drank so much until I was able to fall asleep.
Drank myself to sleep again last night
The previous night, I consumed too much alcohol and used it to put me to sleep.
And i woke up in a stranger's arms
I opened my eyes to find myself in the arms of someone I don't even know.
I woke up with a stranger's arms holding me tight
I woke up like a captive in the grip of an unfamiliar person who held me too firmly.
I thought of you and me
At that moment, I remembered the times when we were still together.
And what it is we used to be
I pondered upon the state of our past partnership.
And if I was a betting man
If I could have a chance, I will put my faith in you.
I'd throw everything I had on you
I would put all my hope, trust, and confidence in you.
I ain't a betting man
But I am not brave enough to take any risk or chance.
God only knows I'm a betting man
Although I have doubts, I am still willing to take a chance despite how it will turn out.
You were running through my mind like a steamboat
You were in my thoughts, rushing and consuming me like a massive, powerful steamboat.
On a Mississippi riverbed
You were carving a deep path of destruction and influence in my mind just like the Mississippi River flowing through its bed.
Those words you said
The things that you have conversed with me before.
They cut me deep like a lock blade knife
Those words were straight and piercing enough that it was like a serrated, deadly lock blade knife cutting through my core.
They cut me to the bone
Those words were strong and powerful enough that it went through and left a deep impact on my being.
You can only cut a man so deep
A person can only be hurt and broken to a certain extent before they can snap or give up.
'Fore he's gonna wash his hands
Before that guy breaks, he will choose to let go and detach himself from everything and everyone that has caused him pain.
I wash my hands of you and me
I am letting go of you and our past, emotionally and mentally.
And what it is we used to be
I am ready to move on and forget the partnership that we once had.
You were running through my mind like a steamboat
Even as I move away, you still continue to consume and fill my mind just like a thundering steamboat.
On a Mississippi riverbed
With your influence, you leave a deep indelible trail within me like a river flowing through its bed.
Contributed by Grayson O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.