Peter Litwin also recorded albums and singles for other bands such as Daddy Hote Box in 1989/1990, which they were also featured on the Teriyaki Asthma Vols. I-V grunge compilation. And Softy in 1994-1998 and finally Plaster in 2009. The band still tours around the pacfic northwest area, the last concert being on February 28th, of 2020 in Seattle.
American Dream
Coffin Break Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Push house with a yard
Two kids, one in a shell
Got a color TV, got a stereo
Got a wife who lives in the kitchen
Go to Bingos on Tuesdays
Movies on Saturday
Harry next door has a white picket fence
He works for the city
Someday soon they're building a pool
Then we′ll have a barbecue
Johnny's going to college
When he's old enough
Then we′ll have a party
Got two dogs and a cat
Even got a goldfish
Is this all you want?
Are you satisfied with nothing?
Tomorrow, coffins not vacant
Empty homes ashes
Dreams and nightmares
Nightmares are real
The American Dream flames
New car
A metal hoop
The song "American Dream" by Coffin Break presents a satirical take on the traditional American dream. The opening lines describe the material aspects of this dream, such as a new car, a house with a yard, and modern appliances like a color TV and stereo. The reference to a wife who lives in the kitchen is a nod to traditional gender roles, where the wife is expected to be the homemaker.
The next few lines describe the routine of a typical week with Bingo on Tuesdays, movies on Saturdays, and Sunday dinner at Mom's. Harry, the neighbor, works for the city and has a white picket fence. The singer also mentions their plans for a barbecue when they get a pool. Johnny, one of the children, is going to college in the future, and the family has several pets.
However, the song takes a dark turn with the lines "Is this all you want? Are you satisfied with nothing?" The final verse alludes to the transience of this dream with lines like "empty homes," "ashes," and "flames." The American Dream is nothing more than a fleeting concept that can be taken away just as easily as it was obtained.
Line by Line Meaning
A new car, white walls
Starting a new life with a fancy car and pristine surroundings
Push house with a yard
Buying a spacious home with a large outdoor space
Two kids, one in a shell
Starting a family, with one child still in the womb
Got a color TV, got a stereo
Acquiring modern luxuries for entertainment
Got a wife who lives in the kitchen
Having outdated gender roles in the household
Go to Bingos on Tuesdays
Engaging in mundane activities for entertainment
Movies on Saturday
Relaxing and watching a movie on the weekend
Go to Mom's for Sunday dinner
Maintaining close family ties and traditions
Harry next door has a white picket fence
Envious of a neighbor's picture-perfect living situation
He works for the city
Having a stable, respectable job
Someday soon they're building a pool
Working towards future upgrades and enjoyment
Then we'll have a barbecue
Celebrating progress and entertaining guests
Johnny's going to college
Having high hopes and aspirations for children's education and future success
When he's old enough
Patiently awaiting milestones and progress
Then we'll have a party
Celebrating major achievements and events
Got two dogs and a cat
Adding beloved pets to the family dynamic
Even got a goldfish
Even the smallest and most insignificant things are important in this ideal life
Is this all you want?
Questioning if blindly following societal expectations will bring true happiness
Are you satisfied with nothing?
Realizing that constantly striving for more may lead to feeling empty and unfulfilled
Tomorrow, coffins not vacant
Acknowledging the inevitability of death and the fact that life is temporary
Empty homes ashes
Realizing that all material possessions will eventually vanish
Dreams and nightmares
The difference between one's hopes and aspirations versus their fears and regrets
Nightmares are real
Acknowledging that fear and failure are a part of life
The American Dream flames
Critiquing the unrealistic and unattainable expectations that society places on individuals
New car
The superficial material desire that is associated with perceived societal success
A metal hoop
The reality that even the smallest and seemingly insignificant of items can bring joy, despite not being part of the ideal American Dream
Writer(s): David Russell Lee, Tim William Greene, John Dixon Mitchell, Thomas Montgomery Newman, Sue Gatlin
Contributed by Nolan P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@polyphonicart
Such a blast on set during the making this video! Can't remember the director's name but he pops up in commercials every once in awhile. Also, forgot who played the mom, but they're old school Seattle, too.
@polyphonicart
Filmed in Beacon Hill Seattle.
@willyanribeiroreis8399
The bests from Seattle... Kick ass here in Brazil
@socialxcancer
coffin break is so good! an influence to so many. i hear a bit of coffin break in quite a lot of bands.
@arthurcoutinho9266
Really good video!
@uponthesun_
đź–¤
@JulioCesar-hk2pr
Traditional american "Seattle " family
@stephenwiederhold1372
WOW