Eraserheads, or E-Heads was a prominent Filipino rock band of the 1990s, fo… Read Full Bio ↴Eraserheads, or E-Heads was a prominent Filipino rock band of the 1990s, formed by Ely Buendia, Raimund Marasigan, Buddy Zabala, and Marcus Adoro. The band is one of the most successful, critically-acclaimed, and significant bands in the history of Original Pilipino Music, earning them the accolade, "The Beatles of the Philippines". Eraserheads are also credited for spearheading a second wave of Manila band invasions, paving the way for a host of influential Philippine alternative rock bands.

The band released several singles, albums, and EPs that reached number one. This commercial success was most evident in the release of their third album Cutterpillow, which achieved platinum status several times. Eraserheads are one of the best-selling musical acts of all time in the Philippines, paving way for an international career that earned them the "Moon Man" in the MTV Video Music Awards.

Their diverse music worked both in the underground and mainstream scenes of the Philippine music industry. By fusing different musical styles such as alternative, pop, rock, reggae, and synthpop, Eraserheads helped change the sound of Pinoy rock.

Sa Tollgate
Eraserheads Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Gumising ka
Nasa tollgate na tayo
May hawakhawak pang
gusot gusot na dyaryo
Di ko alam kung ba't biglang nagyaya
Basta't sabi mo ayaw mo na silang makita

Puno ng gasolina ang isip ko

tumawag pa kanina ang boyfriend mo
Buwan ay parang ulo na nabibilog
Mga paa'y natutulog...

Gumising ka
Nasa tollgate na tayo
suma-sabay sabay
sa punit punit na radyo
Sumasayaw.
mga poste ng ilaw
Wag kang lumingon sa likod
baka may makitang multo

Kaya't kayong mga bata,
makinig kayo
Wag nakikisali sa hindi nyo gulo
Kung ayaw nyong mang-iwan
Di magsama kayo
At kung wala kayong alam,
Mabuti pa'y mag-ahit na lang...

Heeey... nanaaaaw...
Heeey... nanaaaaw...

(one... two... three...)

Tabi mo muna...
(Gumising ka... nasa tollgate na)
Tabi mo muna...
(Gumising ka... nasa tollgate na)
Tabi mo muna...
(Lalala... la.lalala)

Tabi mo muna...
(Lalala... la.lalala)

Overall Meaning

The song Sa Tollgate by Eraserheads talks about being stuck in traffic at the tollgate and finding ways to kill time. The song sets a scene of a couple stuck in the middle of the road with the radio playing and a newspaper that is starting to cause chaos in the car. The lyrics also provide a few pieces of advice for younger listeners - to stay out of trouble and to prevent conflicts by not getting involved in other people's affairs. The song hints at the inconvenience and monotony of being stuck in traffic, but it also suggests that humor and patience are necessary to cope with the reality.

As the song progresses, it changes the pace to accommodate the realization that the journey is not temporary, it is a part of the daily routine. The lyrics advise other drivers to be mindful of the road and their surroundings, warning them not to look back, as there might be ghosts behind them. In the verse that follows, the song warns of the consequences of getting too involved in issues that do not concern us. Sometimes it's better to shave or be idle, it suggests.

This song captures the frustration and monotony of a daily commuter stuck in traffic, but it also has a few pieces of advice that are especially useful in this day and age. It reminds us to laugh, to be patient with others, and to stay out of trouble. There is also the suggestion that the journey in the car can be just as meaningful as the destination, even if it is just a fond memory.

Line by Line Meaning

Gumising ka
Wake up

Nasa tollgate na tayo
We are already at the tollgate

May hawakhawak pang gusot gusot na dyaryo
Still holding a crumpled newspaper

Di ko alam kung ba't biglang nagyaya
I do not know why you suddenly invited me

Basta't sabi mo ayaw mo na silang makita
As long as you said you do not want to see them anymore

Puno ng gasolina ang isip ko
My mind is full of gasoline

tumawag pa kanina ang boyfriend mo
Your boyfriend called earlier

Buwan ay parang ulo na nabibilog
The moon looks like a round head

Mga paa'y natutulog...
Our feet are asleep

Suma-sabay sabay sa punit punit na radyo
We sing together with the broken radio

Sumasayaw. mga poste ng ilaw
Dancing with the lampposts