The band’s first full-length album, Soft Targets, was recorded in Los Angeles and Brooklyn in 2005. However, they were loathe to release the album without a permanent drummer—tellingly, a constant snag since EG’s inception. Taking a leap of faith, Matt and Kamara vowed to play a gig every week until their dream drummer found them. One fateful evening, a gig at Brooklyn’s Southpaw brought them a friend in guitar player Kirk Douglass (of The Roots). Douglass became a fan and brought his friend and Gold Crowns bandmate Ricc Sheridan to gigs for the next few weeks. Ricc says, “I awoke from a dream one night, and knew that this was my band.” A rockneck-inducing jam confirmed that the band had found its holiest trinity. They hit the ground running with Big Ricc Sheridan on drums, and the world has been rocking their faces ever since!
Released in October 2006, Soft Targets earned loads of fans and critical acclaim from publications including The New Yorker, SPIN, Rolling Stone, Brooklyn Vegan and Pitchfork. Even more so, the band’s live show quickly drew heaps of attention and gained a steady reputation among critics and fans alike as a veritable rock-n-roll wrecking ball. Earl Greyhound toured relentlessly for the next two years all over the US, Canada and Japan, and autumn 2007 was spent playing theatres as openers for the band’s good friend Shooter Jennings as well as Soundgarden and Audioslave’s Chris Cornell.
Out of Air
Earl Greyhound Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Stay up on the right hand curb in case a cop become a siren
Run a light and off you girl
I know that summer's slowing down but lift your chin up off the ground
I'm sorry I had to sleep so late
My God has five o'clock already come and gone?
It must have been a storm my dear that tore through August
Step out from off my shoulders girl it's you that I get optimistic over anyway
Rain on reddened streets the killing fields and hanging trees
I'm almost out of air
Flood Rome let it fall the sea's too deep for wrecking balls
I'm almost out of air
Can I start again?
God knows I got no guarantee
I'll wake up for the light in August or the memory
It's just a matter of indifference don't let the thought of it control you now
Don't you now
The lyrics of Earl Greyhound's song "Out of Air" depict a nostalgic and mournful narrative of the fading of summer and an uncertain future. The first verse sets the scene with a reference to a warm-weather gathering, possibly a picnic, with the suggestion to cool the drinks and stay alert to the possibility of authority figures. The second half of the verse turns inward, with the singer apologizing for sleeping in and commenting on how time seems to be moving too quickly. The second verse takes a darker turn, with references to a storm that has left destruction in its wake, and a sense of being suffocated and unable to breathe. The final plea to start again highlights the sense of regret and longing for a new beginning.
The lyrics are full of vivid, poetic language that paints a picture of a particular moment in time, as well as a universal feeling of uncertainty about the future. The use of imagery, such as "reddened streets," "killing fields," and "hanging trees," creates a somber and haunting atmosphere. The repetition of the phrase "I'm almost out of air" adds to the sense of suffocation and desperation.
Overall, "Out of Air" is a powerful and evocative song that explores themes of loss, nostalgia, and the uncertain future. It is a testament to the power of lyrics to paint a vivid picture and elicit strong emotions in the listener.
Line by Line Meaning
Set out all your five cent drinks and cool the carafe for the apple or the lemonade
Prepare for relaxation with some refreshing beverages
Stay up on the right hand curb in case a cop become a siren
Stay aware of your surroundings and be cautious of authority figures
Run a light and off you girl
Take risks and seize opportunities without hesitation
I know that summer's slowing down but lift your chin up off the ground
Don't let the changing season bring you down
I'm sorry I had to sleep so late
Apologizing for a delay in activity or progress
My God has five o'clock already come and gone?
Questioning the passage of time and the pace of life
It must have been a storm my dear that tore through August
Reflecting on a significant event that has passed
Left the street a mess and wet with rain
Describing the aftermath of a destructive incident
Step out from off my shoulders girl it's you that I get optimistic over anyway
Finding hope and positivity in a relationship
Rain on reddened streets the killing fields and hanging trees
Depicting a bleak and violent environment
I'm almost out of air
Feeling overwhelmed and suffocated
Flood Rome let it fall the sea's too deep for wrecking balls
Expressing a desire for a dramatic change, even if it seems impossible
I'm almost out of air
Reiterating a sense of suffocation and desperation
Can I start again?
Expressing a desire to begin anew and leave the past behind
God knows I got no guarantee
Acknowledging the uncertainty and unpredictability of life
I'll wake up for the light in August or the memory
Finding motivation in past experiences or a potential bright future
It's just a matter of indifference don't let the thought of it control you now
Encouraging detachment from negative thoughts and focusing on the present
Don't you now
Emphasizing the importance of taking action and moving forward
Contributed by Brody W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@SoloArtForm
i love to play the drums to this track. beautiful one.