Untitled 03
Brand New Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

So the air's gettin' colder,
and the news keeps us scared,
I still wrestle this summer,
from the bones of our tired, blistered hands,
cause tonight we got drinks,
just a couple of friends,
and the girl that my brother likes is finally talkin' to him,
and his chest is all swelled like he's proud and happy,
like he's got a great idea,
like he's makin' a memory...

Wake up,
and come out to the car,
there's an east swell comin',
and it's howlin' offshore,
and we'll be,
lyin' like lions out in the sand,
but i'll be dead before you put a gun in my brother's hands.

So we make jokes back home,
and we lighten the mood,
but growing up my parents saw,
what sending a kid to fight can really do,
but now with the war I can tell they're a little shook up,
'cause just a few mothers sons will never really be enough,
not 'til half our names are etched out in the wall,
and the other half ruined from the things we saw...

Wake up,
and come out to the car,
there's an east swell comin',
and it's howlin' offshore,
and we'll be,
lyin' like lions out in the sand,
but i'll be dead before you put a gun in my brother's hands.

Wake up,
and come out to the car,
there's an east swell comin',
and it's howlin' offshore,
and we'll be,




lyin' like lions out in the sand,
but i'll be dead before you put a gun in my brother's hands.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Brand New's song "Untitled 03" paint a vivid picture of the anxieties and frustrations that come with being a young person in times of political and social unrest. The first verse describes the growing sense of dread that comes from constantly hearing bad news, but also the small joys that can still be found in the company of friends and the excitement of new love. The second verse takes a more serious tone, reflecting on the devastating impact of war on families and communities, and expressing a fierce determination to prevent future generations from experiencing the same pain.


Throughout the song, there is a sense of urgency and restlessness that mirrors the churning ocean waves referenced in the chorus. The repeated refrain, "but I'll be dead before you put a gun in my brother's hands," is a powerful statement of the singer's commitment to non-violence, even in the face of oppressive forces. Overall, "Untitled 03" is a complex and emotionally charged song that speaks to the struggles and hopes of a generation coming of age in a complicated world.


Line by Line Meaning

So the air's gettin' colder,
The temperature is dropping as fall approaches.


and the news keeps us scared,
The constant fear-mongering in the media is affecting us.


I still wrestle this summer,
I'm having a hard time letting go of the season.


from the bones of our tired, blistered hands,
We worked hard all summer and our hands are rough.


cause tonight we got drinks,
Tonight we're going out and having some drinks.


just a couple of friends,
It's a small gathering.


and the girl that my brother likes is finally talkin' to him,
My brother is finally getting the attention of the girl he likes.


and his chest is all swelled like he's proud and happy,
My brother is feeling proud and happy.


like he's got a great idea,
He feels like he's had a stroke of genius.


like he's makin' a memory...
He's enjoying his time and knows it will be a memorable moment.


Wake up,
Get up and pay attention.


and come out to the car,
Go outside to the car.


there's an east swell comin',
There's an approaching wave coming from the east.


and it's howlin' offshore,
The wind is blowing hard away from the land.


and we'll be,
We will be doing something.


lyin' like lions out in the sand,
We will be lounging on the sand like lions.


but i'll be dead before you put a gun in my brother's hands.
I refuse to let my brother be drafted and forced to hold a gun.


So we make jokes back home,
We try to keep things light-hearted at home.


and we lighten the mood,
We try to make people feel more relaxed.


but growing up my parents saw,
My parents witnessed what sending a child to war can do.


what sending a kid to fight can really do,
They know firsthand the impact it has on families.


but now with the war I can tell they're a little shook up,
Now that there is a new war going on, they're understandably worried.


'cause just a few mothers sons will never really be enough,
The loss of even a few young men is too much to bear.


not 'til half our names are etched out in the wall,
People won't realize the true cost of war until there are countless casualties.


and the other half ruined from the things we saw...
And those who survive may be forever traumatized by the things they witnessed.


Wake up,
Get up and pay attention.


and come out to the car,
Go outside to the car.


there's an east swell comin',
There's an approaching wave coming from the east.


and it's howlin' offshore,
The wind is blowing hard away from the land.


and we'll be,
We will be doing something.


lyin' like lions out in the sand,
We will be lounging on the sand like lions.


but i'll be dead before you put a gun in my brother's hands.
I refuse to let my brother be drafted and forced to hold a gun.




Contributed by Katherine N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

Nancy X

this song was infinitely different to hear performed live on an outdoor stage during sunset, than it is to hear online or through headphones. it was so emotional and beautiful. Jesse is so fucking talented.

Rebekah Toepperwein

I saw him in Dallas last in July or August of 2016 and he played this song then

Ryan Burch

which concert did he play this live at?

Chris Bishop

Coming from a family where it's entirely possible my little brother will sign up for the army any day... it's a weird combination of pride and dread I guess. This song sums up how I feel perfectly, but if he wants to go, there's nothing I can do to stop him.

Shaun Hunter

This is the best version of this song. This is the version I grew up with. So happy I found it.

Jenni

Such a fitting song for Memorial Day, I think. I lost my brother in a car wreck, and though it's not the same, he loved Brand New and he never got to hear this song and it makes me think of him. It's true, too. Just a few mother's sons will never really be enough.

rahbro

still one of the best songs ever written by anyone.

Nessa Pierce

I heard this live two days ago and felt so alive. I slow danced with my boyfriend, eyes closed. it sounds millions of times better live, that's for sure.

Adam Cyanide

It's painful how relevant this song is

Grewe Bear

Haven't heard this in 20 years.....love this shit

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