BLACK TAXI songs can be heard on radio stations from Maine to California, accompany hit TV shows, provide the soundtrack for film, and hit the airwaves on commercial airlines. They debuted on the CMJ Radio 200 at #180 and quickly rose to #80, putting their 2012 release “We Don’t Know Any Better” in the #2 spot for self-released albums. Their music video “Shoeshine” was an Official Nominee for the Webby Awards, and their most recent video “Hand” debuted on AOL Music.
BLACK TAXI’s first full-length offering Things of that Nature received strong reviews in publications throughout the country. For their second full-length album they returned to The Bunker Studio to record with Aaron Nevezie, who has worked with Grammy nominated acts like The Black Keys and Danger Mouse.
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Tightrope
Black Taxi Lyrics
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when my pops packed his bags, and said no goodbye
my mama died of heartache, so I tried to go hide
but was kidnapped by carnies when, I accepted their ride
oh, you got me on a tightrope, stop the show, and leave me alone
oh, you got me as an acrobat, let me go, applause ain't a home
I grew up on hunger and clowns, town after town
never escaped until, the state department came 'round
oh yeah they put me in a good school
gave me parents who smiled they said
now you can be a normal boy, well your normal don't fit, (all right!)
in fact it's quite god damn crazy
oh, you got me on the fast track, of status quo, leave me alone
oh you got me on a picket fence, let me go, your dreams ain't my own
leave your good intentions there, there by the door
talk with me like my mom did, did once before
now I don't need all the things that seem to matter to you
all I want is an empty field, and a seed or two
oh, you got me on a tightrope, stop the show, and leave me alone
The lyrics to Black Taxi's song Tightrope tell the story of a man who has had a difficult and unconventional upbringing. As a young child, his father left him without saying goodbye, and his mother passed away from heartache soon after. He then found himself kidnapped by carnies, perhaps as a way to escape the pain of his early life. As he grew up, he moved from town to town with the carnival, never finding a place to call home. Eventually, he was rescued by the state department and placed in a good school with parents who cared for him. However, he finds that their version of "normal" doesn't fit him, and he longs for the simplicity of an empty field and a few seeds to plant.
The chorus of "oh, you got me on a tightrope, stop the show, and leave me alone" represents the feeling of being trapped and under pressure to perform or conform, like a tightrope walker in a circus. Despite the good intentions of those around him, the singer feels like he is being forced into a life that doesn't make him happy. He longs to be free from the expectations of others and to find his own way. The lyrics also touch on the idea of the American dream and the pressure to conform to societal norms, even if they don't feel authentic to oneself.
Overall, the song is a poignant exploration of identity and the struggle to find one's place in the world. The singer's story is one of resilience and perseverance, even in the face of adversity.
Line by Line Meaning
I was still a baby, barely knee high
I was very young when my father left me without even saying goodbye.
when my pops packed his bags, and said no goodbye
My father abruptly left me without any closure.
my mama died of heartache, so I tried to go hide
My mother passed away due to great distress from my father leaving. I tried to avoid facing the reality of the situation.
but was kidnapped by carnies when, I accepted their ride
When I accepted a ride from a group of carnival workers, I was taken against my will.
oh, you got me on a tightrope, stop the show, and leave me alone
I feel trapped and helpless, and I wish you would stop adding pressure to the situation and let me be.
oh, you got me as an acrobat, let me go, applause ain't a home
I feel like a performer, and I want to escape this act. Recognition and admiration are not enough to make me happy.
(now I said don't give me all your sympathy, save me from your charity)
I do not want pity or help that comes from a place of self-righteousness.
I grew up on hunger and clowns, town after town
I lived a difficult life with little to no stability, constantly moving from one place to another.
never escaped until, the state department came 'round
I was stuck in my situation until an outside force intervened (in this case, the government).
oh yeah they put me in a good school
The government provided me with opportunities that I would not have had otherwise, such as a good education.
gave me parents who smiled they said
I was given a new family through adoption.
now you can be a normal boy, well your normal don't fit, (all right!)
My adoptive family wanted me to conform to societal norms, but I knew that my experiences had made me different.
in fact it's quite god damn crazy
In reality, my life experiences have been far from ordinary and have left me feeling out of place.
oh, you got me on the fast track, of status quo, leave me alone
I feel pressured to conform to what society deems acceptable, even if it doesn't align with my values. I want to be left alone to live my own life.
oh you got me on a picket fence, let me go, your dreams ain't my own
I feel constrained and boxed in by what others expect of me. Their goals and aspirations are not the same as my own.
leave your good intentions there, there by the door
I appreciate your good intentions, but I do not need your help in this matter.
talk with me like my mom did, did once before
I long for the comfort and understanding that my mother provided me with in the past.
now I don't need all the things that seem to matter to you
I do not care about the things that society deems important, such as wealth or material possessions.
all I want is an empty field, and a seed or two
All I crave is a simple life with a bit of land to plant and grow my own food.
Contributed by Sophia M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.