The debut self-titled album by Broken Bells was released on Columbia Records on March 9, 2010. The first single from the record, "The High Road", was released on December 21, 2009.
NPR's "All Things Considered" aired an interview with the duo on March 16, 2010. A transcript of the article can be found here.
An EP, Meyrin Fields, was released on March 29, 2011.
Their second LP, After the Disco, was released on February 4, 2014.
Their third album, INTO THE BLUE, was released on October 7, 2022.
www.brokenbells.com
The Remains of Rock & Roll
Broken Bells Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm off to the promised land if anyone needs a ride
It's a small car but we'll fit inside if we leave our bags behind
We'll entertain ourselves just watching the world go by
Is something wrong?
You don't look like you're having fun
The road is long
We prefer good love to go
And the remains of rock & roll
When the moment's right
In the middle of the night
We can almost see the way to go
So long to everyone 'cause they don't know who we are
Turn on your sorry but you have to break their hearts
Sister you're old enough to take the wheel and drive
Your hands, your heart, your eyes, you made me realize
I hear your call
All of my senses are turned on
We're on our own
Suddenly earth is far below
We good your love to go
And the remains of rock & roll
When the moment's right
In the middle of the night
We can almost see the way to go
Can't you see me floating forwards backwards
Won't you lend a hand and help me out
Here beyond the doorstep knocking knocking
Won't you lend a hand and help me out
The lyrics of Broken Bells' song The Remains of Rock and Roll primarily address fashioning a new way forward. The opening lines suggest the singer may have been waiting for others to make a move and has now decided to strike out on his own, promising to provide a lift to anyone who desires to join him, although they may have to leave some baggage behind. The singer recognizes that there may be challenges ahead, but chooses to adopt a mindset of enjoying the journey as much as the destination.
In the chorus, the themes of love and rock & roll emerge and are set in contrast to other things the singer may have loved but had to let go. The lyrics don't spell out why the singer has moved on from these things, or even what they were, but there's a sense that the singer is choosing a more exciting, adventurous path. The use of the phrase 'the remains of rock & roll' could connote homage to the past or a longing for bygone vitality that the singer believes has been lost.
The final verse, addressed to someone referred to as 'sister' shifts focus from the singer’s internal thoughts to someone he encounters in the outside world. The singer encourages 'sister' to take the wheel and join him on this new journey, praising her innate qualities that would make her successful in navigating the new path, and referencing a 'call' that she made that the singer has heard.
Line by Line Meaning
It's too long to wait around for everyone to decide
I cannot wait for everyone to make a decision, I'm leaving now.
I'm off to the promised land if anyone needs a ride
If anyone wants to come along, I have a small car and space for them.
It's a small car but we'll fit inside if we leave our bags behind
We need to leave our luggage behind to fit in the car together.
We'll entertain ourselves just watching the world go by
We can enjoy the scenery as we travel.
Is something wrong?
Are you okay?
You don't look like you're having fun
You seem unhappy and not having a good time.
The road is long
The journey is going to take a while.
Gotta let go the things you love
We need to move on and leave behind the things we cherish.
We prefer good love to go
We value love that is unconditional and not tied down.
And the remains of rock & roll
We appreciate whatever is left from the era of rock music.
When the moment's right
When the opportunity presents itself.
In the middle of the night
At the darkest hour of the night.
We can almost see the way to go
We are close to figuring out our direction.
So long to everyone 'cause they don't know who we are
We don't need anyone who doesn't understand us.
Turn on your sorry but you have to break their hearts
We need to move on and focus on our goals.
Sister you're old enough to take the wheel and drive
You have grown to have the capabilities to take charge and lead.
Your hands, your heart, your eyes, you made me realize
You taught me a valuable lesson about life and love.
I hear your call
I hear and understand what you are saying.
All of my senses are turned on
I am fully alert and aware of my surroundings.
We're on our own
We are independent and responsible for ourselves.
Suddenly earth is far below
We're lost in our thoughts and the world around us.
Can't you see me floating forwards backwards
I can't seem to get a grasp on my situation or where I'm headed.
Won't you lend a hand and help me out
Can you assist me and offer some guidance?
Here beyond the doorstep knocking knocking
I have hit a barrier and need help to move forward.
We good your love to go
Our love is better off leaving and not being held back.
And the remains of rock & roll
We still appreciate whatever is left from the era of rock music.
When the moment's right
When the opportunity presents itself.
In the middle of the night
At the darkest hour of the night.
We can almost see the way to go
We are close to figuring out our direction.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JAMES MERCER, BRIAN BURTON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
John Reese
Amazing outro to this song. Love the group singing vocals.
John Reese
oops oops
Diego La Cruz Figueroa
@luis ochoa u know what happen??
luis ochoa
This is not new
mia P
this is the most underrated song ever
Lucy
AAAA ESTA CANCIÓN ES HERMOSA POR QUÉ HAY SOLO 12 COMENTARIOS ALGUIEN DÍGAME POR QUÉ SOLO HAY 12 COMENTARIOS AAAAAAA
TooXTICk l2
Ahora solo hay 26 pero quien sabe por que
Soul Ganzu
🤔**De-acuerdo
Renzo Salazar Avila
Perfecta! Tiene un estilo único y esa canción me dio mis mejores viajes.
Jacqulyne Rodriguez
His songs are pure beauty to my ears ✨