Dear Miss Lonelyhearts, which features the rollicking, energetic single "Miracle Mile," is Cold War Kids' first release with former Modest Mouse and Murder City Devils guitarist Dann Gallucci, who also handled its production alongside Lars Stalfors.
"We were shaken up, ready to let certain songs go further than before by trying new styles and arrangements, while keeping others sparse and caring more about the finished product and less about how we got there," explains frontman Nathan Willet about the ten-track album, which was recorded at the band's private studio in San Pedro, CA.
Cold War Kids are from Los Angeles, CA.
Rubidoux
Cold War Kids Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Cram your paper money, snug, closer than before
Chandeliers are falling in graveyard rows
And your eyes are shifting dials like AM radios
Snowed over river, melted more last night
Still the same, the shattered windshields of spidered ice
Yes, yes, mother, I mean to be baptized
Joy to Rubidoux in the the middle of the night
Bourbon and a pistol in the dash, out of sight
What did you expect, romantic call of why?
Just empty, desert light
Few feet float above these Persian throw rugs
And tuck themselves in percussionist, succession words
Tonight, a single, simple folk play themselves low
Just like talking city blues, down in the hole we loathe
Joy to Rubidoux in the the middle of the night
Bourbon and a pistol in the dash, out of sight
What did you expect, romantic call of why?
Just empty, desert light
I suggest that you respect the deal
And keep your nose out of business of priests and holy men
The life you have chosen is filled with dirty finger nails
And lost and founds and canceled appointments
Ten, ten more avenues, time to choose
And there's rain that'll fall down on fire
There's fifty doors to choose from and there's many more
Many more inside, inside, inside
Well, the night time's going to come
The night time's going to come
Joy to Rubidoux in the the middle of the night
Bourbon and a pistol in the dash, out of sight
What did you expect, romantic call of why?
Just empty, desert light
Joy to Rubidoux in the the middle of the night
Joy to Rubidoux in the the middle of the night
Joy to Rubidoux in the the middle of the night
Just empty, desert light, it's just empty, desert light
It's just empty, desert light
The Cold War Kids’ song Rubidoux is a melancholic and introspective tune that uses vivid and symbolic language to convey a sense of alienation and disorientation in the world. The opening lines, “Let's go deadbolt your shed door, cram your paper money, snug, closer than before,” suggest a sense of paranoia and the need to protect oneself from the outside world. The image of chandeliers falling in graveyard rows is a metaphor for the fragility of life and how easily it can be destroyed. The mention of AM radios and shifting dials creates a sense of restlessness and uncertainty in the world.
The song also features a number of references to the natural world. The lines, “Snowed over river, melted more last night, still the same, the shattered windshields of spidered ice” paint a picture of a world that is constantly changing and yet remains the same. The idea of being baptized also suggests a desire for renewal and cleansing in the face of a world that can be overwhelming.
As the song progresses, the singer becomes more introspective, reflecting on their own choices and the paths they have taken. The lines, “I suggest that you respect the deal, and keep your nose out of business of priests and holy men,” suggest a desire to live life on one's own terms, free from external influences. The repeated refrain of “Joy to Rubidoux in the middle of the night” creates a sense of both hope and resignation, suggesting that even in the face of darkness and uncertainty, there can still be moments of joy and connection.
Line by Line Meaning
So let's go deadbolt your shed door
Let's lock up your belongings for safety
Cram your paper money, snug, closer than before
Keep your cash close and secure
Chandeliers are falling in graveyard rows
Things of value are being lost or destroyed rapidly
And your eyes are shifting dials like AM radios
Your eyes are darting around frenetically
Snowed over river, melted more last night
The river was frozen, but is starting to thaw
Still the same, the shattered windshields of spidered ice
The ice is still there, but broken in many places
Yes, yes, mother, I mean to be baptized
I plan to be baptized, mother
Seeds that make the higher ground grow and multiply
Planting the right seeds will lead to success
Joy to Rubidoux in the the middle of the night
Happy to be in Rubidoux at night
Bourbon and a pistol in the dash, out of sight
Drinks and weapons are stashed in the car
What did you expect, romantic call of why?
What were you hoping for? A romantic explanation?
Just empty, desert light
It's just a dark, empty wasteland
Few feet float above these Persian throw rugs
Just a few feet away from the nice rugs from Iran
And tuck themselves in percussionist, succession words
Words that are strung together sound like percussion music
Tonight, a single, simple folk play themselves low
People are keeping quiet and to themselves tonight
Just like talking city blues, down in the hole we loathe
We hate this place like a blues song
I suggest that you respect the deal
I recommend you keep your end of the bargain
And keep your nose out of business of priests and holy men
Don't interfere in religious affairs
The life you have chosen is filled with dirty finger nails
Your chosen life will make your hands dirty
And lost and founds and canceled appointments
You'll have to deal with lost items and cancelled plans
Ten, ten more avenues, time to choose
Many options available, time to make a choice
And there's rain that'll fall down on fire
Rain will put out the flame
There's fifty doors to choose from and there's many more
Countless options available
Many more inside, inside, inside
Even more options within the options
Well, the night time's going to come
The night will inevitably come
Just empty, desert light, it's just empty, desert light
Once again, it's just a dark, empty wasteland
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: JONATHAN BO RUSSELL, MATTHEW COLE AVEIRO, MATTHEW SCOTT MAUST, NATHAN ANDREW WILLETT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Tryst Lyonesse
[Verse 1]
So, let's go deadbolt your shed door
Cram your paper money snug closer than before
Chandeliers are falling in graveyard rows
And your eyes are shifting dials like AM radios
[Verse 2]
Snowed over, river melted more last night
Still the same to shovel windshields of spidered ice
Yes, yes, mother I mean to be baptized
Seeds that make the higher ground grow and multiply
[Chorus]
Drive to Rubidoux in the middle of the night
Bourbon and a pistol in the dash out of sight
What did you expect? Romantic Isle of Wight?
Just empty desert light
[Verse 3]
Few feet float above these Persian throw rugs
And tuck themselves in percussion as succession was
Tonight as single simple folk played themselves low
Just like talking city blues down in the hallway low
[Chorus]
Drive to Rubidoux in the middle of the night
Bourbon and a pistol in the dash out of sight
What did you expect? Romantic Isle of Wight?
Just empty desert light
[Bridge]
I suggest that you respect the deal
And keep your nose out of business of
Priests and holy men, the life you have chosen
Is filled with dirty fingernails and
Lost and founds and cancelled appointments
[Verse 4]
10 more avenues, time to choose
And there's rain that'll fall down on five
There's 50 doors to choose from and there's many more
Many more inside, inside, inside
Well, the nighttime's going to come
The nighttime's going to come
[Chorus]
Drive to Rubidoux in the middle of the night
Bourbon and a pistol in the dash out of sight
What did you expect? Romantic Isle of Wight?
Just empty desert light
[Outro]
Drive to Rubidoux in the middle of the night
Drive to Rubidoux in the middle of the night
Drive to Rubidoux in the middle of the night
Just empty desert light
It's just empty desert light
It's just empty desert light
MakeshiftOddity
This album is one of the best I've heard thus far.
Diogenes' Lantern
There is a 4 minute hidden track starts at 7:28 on Rubidoux :) "Laaaaawwwd have mercy on me."
Vivi Laboubie
The ice on the cake of my favorite album ever
Tryst Lyonesse
[Verse 1]
So, let's go deadbolt your shed door
Cram your paper money snug closer than before
Chandeliers are falling in graveyard rows
And your eyes are shifting dials like AM radios
[Verse 2]
Snowed over, river melted more last night
Still the same to shovel windshields of spidered ice
Yes, yes, mother I mean to be baptized
Seeds that make the higher ground grow and multiply
[Chorus]
Drive to Rubidoux in the middle of the night
Bourbon and a pistol in the dash out of sight
What did you expect? Romantic Isle of Wight?
Just empty desert light
[Verse 3]
Few feet float above these Persian throw rugs
And tuck themselves in percussion as succession was
Tonight as single simple folk played themselves low
Just like talking city blues down in the hallway low
[Chorus]
Drive to Rubidoux in the middle of the night
Bourbon and a pistol in the dash out of sight
What did you expect? Romantic Isle of Wight?
Just empty desert light
[Bridge]
I suggest that you respect the deal
And keep your nose out of business of
Priests and holy men, the life you have chosen
Is filled with dirty fingernails and
Lost and founds and cancelled appointments
[Verse 4]
10 more avenues, time to choose
And there's rain that'll fall down on five
There's 50 doors to choose from and there's many more
Many more inside, inside, inside
Well, the nighttime's going to come
The nighttime's going to come
[Chorus]
Drive to Rubidoux in the middle of the night
Bourbon and a pistol in the dash out of sight
What did you expect? Romantic Isle of Wight?
Just empty desert light
[Outro]
Drive to Rubidoux in the middle of the night
Drive to Rubidoux in the middle of the night
Drive to Rubidoux in the middle of the night
Just empty desert light
It's just empty desert light
It's just empty desert light
Patrick H
On the album after about 3 minutes of that silence there is another part of the song. It's not edited, just recorded and tacked on to the end.
skeemag
love that beat!
skeemag
de ja vu
skeemag
de ja vu
HamptonInjuryLawyer
I agree. I'm hoping more people will listen and enjoy it.
rick tell
This is a perfect summer/holiday anthem.