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.
We Used to Vacation
Cold War Kids Lyrics
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Then stumbled out the room
I caught a cab, ran up a tab
On 7th and Flower
Best recital, I had to run
Missed my son's graduation
Punched the Nickle's boy
He gets all that anger from me
Still things could be much worse
Natural disasters on the evening news
Still things could be much worse
We still got our health
My paycheck in the mail
I promised to my wife and children
I'd never touch another drink
As long as I live but even then
It sounds so soothing
This will blow over in time
This will all blow over in time
I'm just an honest man
Provide for me and mine
I give a check to tax deductible
Charity organizations
Two weeks paid vacation
Won't heal the damage done
I need another one
Still things could be much worse
Natural disasters on the evening news
Still things could be much worse
We still got our health
My paycheck in the mail
I promised to my wife and children
I'd never touch another drink
As long as I live but even then
It sounds so soothing to mix a gin
And sink into oblivion
I promised to my wife and children
That accident left everyone a little shook up
But at the meetings I felt so empty
This will blow over in time
This will all blow over in time
Mm la da da da da ah da da da da la da da da ooh
Ah la da da da la da da da da ah la da da da ooh
The lyrics to Cold War Kids' "We Used to Vacation" tell the story of a man who is struggling with alcoholism and the effect it has had on his life and relationships. The song begins with the singer kissing his kids goodbye before leaving the room and catching a cab. He ends up at a bar where he runs up a tab and punches another patron for taking his son's seat at a recital that he missed due to his drinking.
Despite the way his life has fallen apart, the singer still tries to convince himself that things could be worse. He talks about natural disasters on the news and the fact that he still has his health and a paycheck coming in. However, even though he has promised his family that he will stop drinking, he admits that he finds the idea of sinking into oblivion with a gin soothing.
The bridge of the song reveals that the singer has had an accident that has shaken everyone up. He goes to meetings to try and deal with his alcoholism but feels empty inside. However, he still believes that things will eventually blow over and get better in time.
The lyrics of "We Used to Vacation" are a poignant and powerful portrayal of the struggles that come with addiction. The song reminds us that even when we hit rock bottom, there is still hope for recovery and redemption.
Line by Line Meaning
I kissed the kids at noon
I said goodbye to my children before leaving the house for the day.
Then stumbled out the room
I exited my home, likely with difficulty or clumsily.
I caught a cab, ran up a tab, on 7th and Flower
I took a taxi and spent a lot of money to get to a specific location.
Best recital, I had to run
I had an important performance or event to attend and had to hurry.
Missed my son's graduation
I was unable to be present for my child's graduation ceremony.
Punched the Nickle's boy for taking his seat
I physically assaulted a child for sitting in a seat that belonged to my own child.
He gets all that anger from me
My child's tendency towards anger is similar to my own.
Still things could be much worse
Despite current difficulties or problems, there is potential for even worse situations.
Natural disasters on the evening news
News reports about catastrophic events happening around the world.
We still got our health
The artist and their family are currently healthy.
My paycheck in the mail
The singer will soon receive their wages via mail, a source of financial stability.
I promised to my wife and children I'd never touch another drink as long as I live
The artist made a vow to abstain from alcohol for the rest of their life.
But even then, it sounds so soothing
Despite the vow, the singer still finds the idea of drinking to be enticing or calming.
This will blow over in time
The current situation will eventually get better or be resolved.
I'm just an honest man, provide for me and mine
The singer is simply a hardworking individual who supports their immediate family.
I give a check to tax deductible charity organizations
The artist donates money to organizations that qualify for tax deductions.
Two weeks paid vacation won't heal the damage done
Even though the artist was given paid time off, it will not undo the negative effects of previous events.
I need another one
The singer requires additional vacation days.
That accident left everyone a little shook up
A traumatic event occurred that left all involved feeling unsettled or anxious.
But at the meetings I felt so empty
In support group-style meetings, despite being in a similar situation to others, the artist is still lacking something.
Mm la da da da da ah da da da da ah oh
Nonsensical sounds, likely serving as a transition between sections.
Ah la da da da la da da da da ah la da da da ooh
More nonsensical sounds.
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