Water Or Gasoline
Blackie and the Rodeo Kings Lyrics

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On a pencil-lead gray afternoon
Rain makes the stray dog shine
I got a feeling stinging like a new tattoo
Black across my mind

You said something while I was thinking
A far-off dream away
And if I don't hear you the first time

You just turn and walk away

Oh baby, I can't see you through the steam
Oh baby, do you bring me water or gasoline?

I could walk down to the Church of Christ
Hold hands with the preacher and pray
Or hunker on down with a hundred dollar whore
Dolled up in orange lingerie

But they don't know me, baby
They don't know what I'm living for
But all my sins and my salvation
Lead me back to your trap door

Oh baby, I can't see you through the steam
Oh baby, do you bring me water or gasoline?

She looks good in a cheap straw hat
With her long hair hanging down
And she used to smile a lot more at me
Before I drug her down to this town

I ain't looking for no strange angel
No faith-healer?s fainting bliss
I'm just looking for a gap in the traffic, baby
Something simple as a kiss

Oh baby, I can't see you through the steam
Oh baby, do you bring me water or gasoline?

Oh baby, I can't see you through the steam
Oh baby, do you bring me water or gasoline?

Overall Meaning

The song "Water or Gasoline" by Blackie and the Rodeo Kings talks about a relationship that is not necessarily healthy, but the singer cannot resist. The opening lines set the scene for a dreary, rainy day where the only bright spot is a stray dog whose coat shines in the rain. The singer admits to having a feeling that is like a new tattoo, which suggests something permanent and possibly painful. The next couple of lines seem to indicate that the singer is not always present in the moment and that he misses things that are said to him. However, the other person in the relationship is not interested in repeating themselves, and they just walk away.

Then the chorus comes in, asking whether the person in question brings "water or gasoline." The metaphor is open to interpretation but seems to suggest that the other person might be destructive in some way, like gasoline, or they might provide nourishment and sustenance, like water. The singer seems unsure which one it is, which suggests that the relationship is unpredictable and possibly volatile.

The next verse describes the singer's options: he can go to church and pray or seek out a prostitute, but neither of those things will truly fulfil him. Only the other person can do that, even though they are not easy to deal with. The final verse describes the other person's appearance and how she used to smile more before the relationship brought them down. The singer is not looking for "a strange angel" or a religious experience, but just a simple connection like a kiss. The song ends on another repetition of the chorus, reminding the listener that the relationship is still in question.

Line by Line Meaning

On a pencil-lead gray afternoon
On a gloomy, cloudy day

Rain makes the stray dog shine
The rain makes the homeless dog glow

I got a feeling stinging like a new tattoo
I have a feeling that hurts like a fresh tattoo

Black across my mind
A dark thought that I can't shake off

You said something while I was thinking
You spoke while I was lost in thought

A far-off dream away
Distracted by a distant dream

And if I don't hear you the first time
If I miss what you said

You just turn and walk away
You leave without saying it again

Oh baby, I can't see you through the steam
I can't see you clearly because of the steam

Oh baby, do you bring me water or gasoline?
Are you bringing me something useful or harmful?

I could walk down to the Church of Christ
I could go to church

Hold hands with the preacher and pray
I could ask for forgiveness from the holy leader

Or hunker on down with a hundred dollar whore
Or I could pay for a prostitute

Dolled up in orange lingerie
Wearing fancy underwear

But they don't know me, baby
But they don't understand me

They don't know what I'm living for
They don't know my purpose

But all my sins and my salvation
Despite my wrongdoing and seeking redemption

Lead me back to your trap door
I keep coming back to you

She looks good in a cheap straw hat
She looks cute in a simple hat

With her long hair hanging down
Her hair is flowing down

And she used to smile a lot more at me
And she used to be more cheerful around me

Before I drug her down to this town
Before I brought her to this depressing place

I ain't looking for no strange angel
I'm not searching for a savior

No faith-healer?s fainting bliss
Not seeking the euphoria of religious healing

I'm just looking for a gap in the traffic, baby
I'm simply seeking a moment of respite from life's chaos

Something simple as a kiss
A simple gesture, like a kiss

Oh baby, I can't see you through the steam
I can't see you clearly because of the mist

Oh baby, do you bring me water or gasoline?
Are you bringing me something beneficial or harmful?

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: COLIN KENDALL LINDEN, KEVIN GORDON

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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Comments from YouTube:

oleole52

11y↑5

One of the best bands in any land playing in a tent in our north.Now that's Canadian.

anonymous anonymous

- incomplete agreement- does it bug you that Canadians ALWAYS have to be if not very forthright, STRESS it, before getting defensive!!!!As Leonard Cohen's Number 1 fan, arguably! (no fair including girlfriends and that psychiatrist who had the best Cohen site) I knew of him as a poet and novelist- my father gave me a book of poems stolen by an erstwhile high-school friend! Because he chose to live mostly in the U.S.A. many folks, fans included regard him as American- back to Tom and Friends all you need is a small "snowstorm" to blow in- for atmosphere! We need to really promote such talent- I hope when Tom travels he gets a word out for the younger ones- well maybe his son does- Namaste from a Hamilton Fan (no, we are not going on Sat. Dec 10 because we can't afford the tickets! Damn!)