Live Band Members, Jack Antonoff – lead vocals, guitar, keyboards, synthesizers, samples
Evan Smith – keyboards, synthesizers, saxophone, vocals
Mikey Hart – bass, guitar, keyboards, synthesizers, piano, vocals
Sean Hutchinson – drums, sampling pad, synthesizers, backing vocals
Mike Riddleberger – drums, sampling pad, backing vocals
Bleachers' debut album Strange Desire was released July 10, 2014, from RCA Records. Variance Magazine called the single "Rollercoaster" a "brilliant summer anthem." Bleachers went on their debut Come Alive! tour, which features Night Terrors of 1927 and Joywave as opening acts, from March to April 2015. From there, they went on the Strange Desire World Tour from July to November of that same year. They juggled this with the Charli and Jack Do America Tour, a tour co-headlined by Bleachers and Charli XCX.
Bleachers' second album Gone Now was released June 2, 2017. Its lead single "Don't Take the Money" has been described by Atwood Magazine as "an epic uplifting pop-rock anthem ultimately about how when love is real, its worth everything that comes along with it". In celebration of the album release, he brought his childhood bedroom on tour with him. He had it dismantled and rebuilt inside of a portable trailer. During May and June concerts, fans could enter the "moving, living art exhibit" and listen to the album prior to its official release. Antonoff explained in a press release, saying "when I thought about where this album was coming from and what it’s kissing goodbye I thought of this room. I wished I could play the album for people who care about Bleachers in this space that it is coming from and leaving." The band was on its Gone Now Era: Part 1 tour from September to November 2017. The tour featured Tove Stryke, Bishop Briggs, and Tangerine as openers.
In September 2017, Bleachers performed on MTV Unplugged at The Stone Pony in Asbury Park, New Jersey. The live session was later released as an album, also entitled MTV Unplugged. The album features 11 tracks from both Gone Now and Strange Desire and was released November 10, 2017. Antonoff produced the soundtrack of Love, Simon, released on March 16, 2018. He contributed five songs, with four being credited to Bleachers—"Alfie's Song (Not So Typical Love Song)", "Rollercoaster", "Keeping a Secret", and "Wild Heart"— and one credited to his real name, a duet with MØ titled "Never Fall in Love". Throughout 2019, Bleachers released the third volume of Terrible Thrills in a series of four vinyl records, each featuring covers of songs from Gone Now by female artists as well as new demos by Bleachers.
In late 2019, Antonoff began recording the third Bleachers album. During this time the band embarked on a three-day "mini-tour" called the "I Love Making This Album but I'm Also Losing My Mind in Here & Need to Come Out and Play" Tour. On January 6, 2020, Antonoff announced on Twitter that a new Bleachers album would come within the year. In May, Bleachers was featured on Carly Rae Jepsen's song "Comeback" which was the first official release of the band in nearly two years. On the Bleachers Twitter account, a song called "Take the Sadness Out of Saturday Night" has been teased for months, and starting on November 14, 2020, a phone tree was set up for fans to call to hear clips from the song.
On November 16, 2020, Bleachers released the first two singles from Take the Sadness Out of Saturday Night, "45" and "Chinatown", the latter featuring Bruce Springsteen. The same day it was announced that the album will be released in 2021. "Stop Making This Hurt", the third single, was released on May 18, 2021. Take the Sadness Out of Saturday Night is scheduled for release on July 30.
Don't Go Dark
Bleachers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hey, are you gonna cry on demand just to get your number called?
Oh, baby, I know gone
I know gone, know out of this world
'Cause I've slept in my bed alone next to my girl
So, do what you want, just don't go dark on me, hey
'Cause you run, run, run
Then you cry on my shoulder like a little child
Do what you want, just don't go dark on me
And you're waitin' to be saved but ain't nobody comin'
It's the same party trick
You dream until you're running
Do what you want, just don't go dark on me
Oh, just don't go dark on me
Run, run, run
Run with the wild
You always run, run, run
Run with the wild
I dream a little dream she's not out of it
Then I watch her take another pill
Take another pic, then flip another switch
And now she's gone, now she's gone
Now she's out of this world
It's like California dreamin' got the best of my girl
So do what you want, just take your sights off of me, yeah
'Cause you run, run, run
Run with the wild
Then you cry on my shoulder like a little child
Do what you want, just don't go dark on me
And you're waitin' to be saved but ain't nobody comin'
If you're holdin' on to me, you're holdin' on to nothin'
Do what you want, just don't go dark on me
Oh, just don't go dark on me
Run, run, run
Run with the wild
You always run, run, run
Run with the wild
You know all this time we've been apart
I finally see it, honey
You've just been waiting your whole life
To find someone who can stand in your storm
I stood there and something was missing
I still see you, honey babe
But it ain't me that you'll be kissin'
'Cause you run, run, run
Run with the devil
Then you cry on my shoulder like I'm forever
Do what you want, just don't go dark on me
And you keep playin' to that chip
Chip on your shoulder
Yeah, you carry that around
It's like tryna get to nowhere
Do what you want, just don't go dark on me
Oh, just don't go dark on me
Run, run, run
Run with the wild
Run, run, run
Run with the wild
Run, run, run
Run with the wild
Run, run, run
Run with the wild
Oh, so just don't go dark on me, ooh-ooh
So just don't go dark on me, ooh-ooh
Just don't go dark on me, baby, ooh-ooh
"Don't Go Dark" by Bleachers is a song that explores the complexities of a troubled relationship. The lyrics seem to address someone who is emotionally distant and constantly running away from their problems. The opening lines question whether this person will stand up for anything or if they will only display emotion when it serves their purpose. The singer acknowledges their own experiences of feeling lonely beside their partner and emphasizes the importance of communication and not shutting the other person out.
The chorus expresses frustration with the partner's behavior of running wild and then seeking comfort in the singer's presence, only to disappear again. There is a sense of longing for stability and a plea for the partner to not become distant and unavailable emotionally. The second verse delves deeper into the partner's struggles, painting a picture of someone relying on pills, social media, and other distractions to escape their own reality. It's revealed that the partner's dreams and aspirations have taken them away from the relationship, just like California dreaming taking away the best part of the singer's girl.
The bridge brings a shift in perspective, with the singer realizing that the partner has always been searching for someone who can withstand their storms but ultimately coming to the painful realization that it is not them. The partner is depicted as continuously running away, holding onto past grudges and carrying a chip on their shoulder. The song concludes with a repeated plea for the partner to not go dark and to maintain a connection, suggesting that despite their differences, the singer still cares for them.
Line by Line Meaning
What? Are you gonna ride for no one at all?
Are you going to support and stand up for no one in your life?
Hey, are you gonna cry on demand just to get your number called?
Will you fake emotions to get attention and validation from others?
Oh, baby, I know gone
I understand what it's like to lose someone or something
I know gone, know out of this world
I understand the feeling of something being completely lost or unattainable
'Cause I've slept in my bed alone next to my girl
Because I've experienced the loneliness of being without my partner while they're physically present
So, do what you want, just don't go dark on me, hey
So, feel free to do whatever you please, but please don't shut me out emotionally
'Cause you run, run, run
Because you constantly flee and escape from situations
Run with the wild
You embrace a reckless lifestyle
Then you cry on my shoulder like a little child
And then you seek comfort and support from me as if you're helpless
And you're waitin' to be saved but ain't nobody comin'
You're hoping for someone to rescue you, but no one is going to come
It's the same party trick
It's a repetitive and predictable behavior
You dream until you're running
You continue to have aspirations until you escape reality
Do what you want, just don't go dark on me
Feel free to live your life however you please, but please don't disconnect from me emotionally
Oh, just don't go dark on me
Please, don't emotionally shut me out
I dream a little dream she's not out of it
I have a slight hope that she hasn't completely lost herself
Then I watch her take another pill
But then I witness her taking another pill, indicating her reliance on substances
Take another pic, then flip another switch
She continues to capture photos and project different versions of herself
And now she's gone, now she's gone
And now she's emotionally inaccessible and distant
Now she's out of this world
Now she's completely disconnected from reality
It's like California dreamin' got the best of my girl
It's as if the idealized and illusionary concept of California has captivated and consumed her
So do what you want, just take your sights off of me, yeah
So, feel free to live your life however you please, but please stop focusing on me and my emotions
'Cause you run, run, run
Because you constantly run away from your problems
Run with the wild
You embrace a reckless and impulsive lifestyle
You always run, run, run
You consistently avoid facing your issues
You know all this time we've been apart
Throughout the entire period we've been separated
I finally see it, honey
I finally realize and understand it, my dear
You've just been waiting your whole life
You've been patiently waiting for your entire life
To find someone who can stand in your storm
To find someone who can endure and support you during your difficult times
I stood there and something was missing
I was present, but there was something lacking
I still see you, honey babe
I still have feelings for you, my dear
But it ain't me that you'll be kissin'
But I'm not the one you'll be intimate with
'Cause you run, run, run
Because you constantly escape and avoid
Run with the devil
You engage in dangerous and self-destructive behaviors
Then you cry on my shoulder like I'm forever
And then you seek comfort from me as if I'll always be there
And you keep playin' to that chip
And you continue to hold onto that grudge
Chip on your shoulder
You carry a sense of resentment and bitterness
Yeah, you carry that around
Yes, you continue to hold onto that negativity
It's like tryna get to nowhere
It's as if you're trying to reach an unattainable goal
Do what you want, just don't go dark on me
Feel free to do whatever you please, but please don't cut me off emotionally
Oh, just don't go dark on me
Please, don't emotionally shut me out
So just don't go dark on me, ooh-ooh
So, please don't emotionally disconnect from me
Just don't go dark on me, ooh-ooh
Please, don't emotionally shut me out
Just don't go dark on me, baby, ooh-ooh
Please, don't emotionally disconnect from me, my love
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Elizabeth Grant, Jack Antonoff
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
unclebustard
Producers don't get enough attention. This man is a literal living legend in the music industry. I hope this album gets the credit it deserves. Great song
Lead1121
He’s good but not a legend
The Quixotic End
I mean he was in some of the biggest groups ever, writes for massive pop artists and sold out like 6 shows this tour. I'd imagine he's choosing to stay a bit lower key, right where he wants
Dystopia XLII
I've never been the type to acknowledge my own emotions, but this song was a gut punch. It's making me process two breakups at the same time, and man, am I going through it. Thank you for helping me heal.
Maryem
"if you’re holdin’ on to me you’re holdin’ on to nothing" damn that hits different
MrMistyEyed
This is my favorite off the album. Understanding your partner is a free soul and begging them to not check out of the relationship
Theodor Zurc
The Song is about begging your ex to leave you alone
wdhyrhrj
@eternal Doorman no
eternal Doorman
So it's some sort of social contract theory of relationships?
Vinit Srivastava
Doesn't matter how much am I surrounded by melancholy, Jack your music makes me exceedingly glad. Thank you Jack