Every Subway Car
Barenaked Ladies Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

My backpack was faded black
But now it's all blue
It looks whack, but it's compact
And works like brand new

I had found an old greyhound
But it wasn't my scene
I'm underground at the turnaround
This one is pristine

[Chorus]
Warehouses above
All I'm thinking of
You gave your heart to me
And soon the world will see
Our graffiti love
Spray-paint on my glove
They'll wonder who you are
On every subway car

I'm on my own
I'm sliced alone
I did it for you
But I've outgrown
My wings and flown
Into something brand new

I show restraint
I'm the patron saint
Of urban gardens in bloom
If I don't faint
Ingesting paint
Breathing all of these fumes

[Chorus]

On every subway car you look amazing
While streaming out of bars
Their glasses raising
Systemically refused
And chemically removed

Warehouses above
All I'm thinking of
You gave your heart to me
And soon the world will see
Our graffiti love
Melted on my glove
They'll wonder who you are
On every subway car
Our graffiti love
On every subway car




Our graffiti love
On every subway car

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Barenaked Ladies's song "Every Subway Car" appear to be about a graffiti artist who is in love with someone who shares their passion for urban art. The artist is traveling through the subway system, admiring the graffiti on the walls and the trains, and thinking about the person they love who is also a graffiti artist. They seem to be caught between two worlds - the world of underground art and the world above - and are trying to reconcile their love for both.


The first verse seems to describe the artist's backpack and how it has transformed over time. It used to be faded black but is now blue, which suggests that the artist has been using it for a long time and has made changes to it over the years. The backpack is described as compact and working like brand new, which suggests that the artist values functionality over style. The second part of the verse describes how the artist found an old greyhound bus but it wasn't their scene. This could mean that the artist has tried traveling by other means but prefers the subway system, which provides a more intimate setting for their art.


The chorus seems to be about the artist's love for another graffiti artist. The warehouses above could be a metaphor for the outside world and the artist's desire to share their love for graffiti with someone who understands it. They talk about their "graffiti love" which is "spray-paint on my glove," suggesting that this is something they share with their partner. The final line, "On every subway car," suggests that their graffiti is everywhere, and they are proud of it.


The second verse seems to describe the artist's personal growth. They talk about being "sliced alone" but having "outgrown" their old self and transformed into something new. They also seem to be interested in urban gardening and talk about showing "restraint" and being the "patron saint of urban gardens in bloom." However, they also acknowledge the danger of inhaling paint fumes and seem to be struggling with the negative effects of their art.


Overall, the lyrics to "Every Subway Car" paint a vivid picture of a graffiti artist who is deeply in love with their art and someone who shares that passion. They are trying to navigate the worlds of underground and aboveground, balancing their personal growth with their love for graffiti.


Line by Line Meaning

My backpack was faded black
I had an old backpack that was worn out and old.


But now it's all blue
I got a new backpack that is compact and works perfectly, but it looks weird because it's blue.


It looks whack, but it's compact
The new backpack looks strange, but it's small and convenient.


And works like brand new
However, it operates just like something from the store.


I had found an old greyhound
I stumbled across an old bus or a truck.


But it wasn't my scene
But it didn't fit my vibe.


I'm underground at the turnaround
I'm on the subway, heading back to where I started.


This one is pristine
This new one is in excellent condition.


Warehouses above
There are big buildings above me.


All I'm thinking of
I'm daydreaming about something.


You gave your heart to me
You dedicated yourself to me.


And soon the world will see
Soon, everyone will be aware of something about us.


Our graffiti love
Our love of graffiti art.


Spray-paint on my glove
My hands are covered in spray-paint from the artwork.


They'll wonder who you are
People will be curious about you.


On every subway car
Every train car will have our artwork on it.


I'm on my own
I'm alone.


I'm sliced alone
I feel divided and separated.


I did it for you
I did something with the intention of making you happy.


But I've outgrown
But I have surpassed it.


My wings and flown
I've moved on to new things.


Into something brand new
I have advanced towards something fresh.


I show restraint
I limit myself and not go wild.


I'm the patron saint
I'm a protector of something.


Of urban gardens in bloom
I look after those cities filled with greenery.


If I don't faint
If I do not lose consciousness.


Ingesting paint
By breathing in paint fumes, I'm causing damage to myself.


Breathing all of these fumes
By inhaling fumes, I could be slowly poisoning myself.


On every subway car you look amazing
Your artistic work looks remarkable on all of the train cars.


While streaming out of bars
People are leaving bars late at night while the trains are running.


Their glasses raising
They are raising their drinks, toasting to something.


Systemically refused
The system is rejecting me somehow.


And chemically removed
People are being removed by chemicals, past tense.


Melted on my glove
The spray-paint on my hand has begun to melt.


Our graffiti love
Our love of graffiti is shown.


On every subway car
We are present on every train car.


Our graffiti love
Our love of graffiti art.


On every subway car
Our art is on every subway car we have worked on.




Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ED ROBERTSON, JIM CREEGGAN, KEVIN HEARN, KEVIN NEIL HEARN, TYLER STEWART

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

tsipaul

I am obsessed with playing this track, I do airbrushing for a living and this song just connects with me. Thanks for the motivation BNL!!! May you continue to prosper with your dream!!! PG

PatrickGMoran

Beautiful song guys. Your sound sure has blossomed since the change. I am sure this will find a lot if air play. Great job.

Machinery

This is such an awesome song! It should be way more popular! :D

AFN7

I actually like Erin's backing vocals for this song. Yeah, some people may argue that they're distracting, but I find that the vocals blend rather than distract, unlike some Skillet songs.

Martin B

love this song!!!

Matt Schroeder

Might be my favorite post-Steven Page BNL song. Just re-discovered it and have been wearing it out.

Peter McCannell

You might be right but some of the new ones they've come out with aren't too bad

Arie Hoeflak

Seconded

Brad Dub

+Corey Messick Man, you are everywhere on BNL videos, man got good taste

lasarack

i really wish i could write music like this.

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