Gasoline
Brand New Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

So you tried to put a fire out
But you used gasoline
And when the congregation gathered 'round
You're screaming, "It wasn't me!"
So there's a sickness that is going 'round
But no-one's got a vaccine
I think it drowned in holy water
I think it's time we all come clean

I swear it's like dying to catch a ghost
It feels like I'm trying to hold smoke
I swear it's like dying to catch a ghost
It feels like I'm trying to hold smoke

When the army had to hold the line
Well you were nowhere near the front
Before the kids could tell the dog "goodbye"
Well, you were loading up your gun
I wanna know I've left the great divide
I wanna know what I've become
You think that no one else is lonesome
You think that you're the only one?

It feels like I'm jumping towards a train
It feels like I'm jumping towards a train
Well I'm trying to find a way

It feels like I'm jumping towards a train




It feels like I'm jumping towards a train
Well I'm trying to find a way

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Brand New's "Gasoline" are both cryptic and haunting. The song is about one's inner demons and how they are unable to control their actions. The first verse describes someone trying to put out a fire but instead using gasoline, causing the fire to spread. When people gather around the fire, the person denies responsibility, claiming that it wasn't them who started it. The second verse talks about how there is a sickness going around, but there is no cure. The singer also believes that any attempt to cure the sickness would fail, suggesting that it has been drowned in holy water, and that it's time for everyone to come clean. The chorus repeats the phrase, "It feels like I'm jumping towards a train," indicating that the singer is struggling to control their actions and emotions.


The third verse is about war and how some people are quick to arm themselves and attack. The singer wants to know what they have become and whether they have crossed the line. They question whether anyone else is as lonely as they are, suggesting that they feel isolated in their situation. The chorus repeats, with the singer feeling like they are jumping towards a train and trying to find a way out.


Overall, the song appears to be about the feeling of being caught in a vicious circle of self-destructive behavior. The person described in the song is aware of their detrimental actions but feels powerless to stop them, likening it to jumping towards a train. The lyrics evince a feeling of hopelessness and isolation, which can be relatable to anyone who has struggled with their own demons.


Line by Line Meaning

So you tried to put a fire out But you used gasoline
You attempted to fix a problematic situation, but your actions only made things worse.


And when the congregation gathered 'round You're screaming, "It wasn't me!"
You’re denying responsibility for your actions in a way that seems insincere.


So there's a sickness that is going 'round But no-one's got a vaccine I think it drowned in holy water I think it's time we all come clean
There's a widespread problem or issue that everyone is aware of, but no one knows how to solve it. Perhaps it's because people are hiding the truth and not being honest about what's really happening.


I swear it's like dying to catch a ghost It feels like I'm trying to hold smoke I swear it's like dying to catch a ghost It feels like I'm trying to hold smoke
Trying to address or fix something intangible, like a ghost or smoke, is an exercise in futility. It feels like no matter how hard you try, you're unable to make any significant impact.


When the army had to hold the line Well you were nowhere near the front Before the kids could tell the dog "goodbye" Well, you were loading up your gun I wanna know I've left the great divide I wanna know what I've become You think that no one else is lonesome You think that you're the only one?
You're a coward who chooses to avoid responsibility and is selfishly focused on your own problems. You want answers about yourself and your identity, but you don’t think about how others feel.


It feels like I'm jumping towards a train It feels like I'm jumping towards a train Well I'm trying to find a way
Trying to solve the problems and issues you're dealing with feels like diving headfirst into a danger zone. It's a scary and dangerous process, but you’re determined to find a solution.




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: VINCENT ACCARDI

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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