Fusing influences as disparate as the Mahavishnu Orchestra, Sonic Youth, and Pink Floyd, the sonic concoction brewed by the members of Escanaba Firing Line is truly one of a kind. Guitarist/vocalists Jesse and Ryan Younce blend angular post-punk riffs with jazz-fusion chops, all topped off with sing-shout vocals in the style of Fugazi. The rhythm section of Chris Davies (bass) and Chad Sturdivant (drums) pins down the guitar maelstrom with complex-yet-solid grooves. Hailing from the cold wasteland of Northern Lower-Michigan, EFL is poised to bring their unique rock pedigree to the masses.
Dakota
Escanaba Firing Line Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Tell me what I'm suppose to do...
Don't kick me down just pull me through.
This crappy job, the shit we do to make a life for me and you.
Everyday we go down deeper.
Everyday with my tiny heater.
We'll tie her up and pin her down and pull her hair back from the ground.
The air still warm inside of me.
We'll walk on glass with feign surprise 'cause in your mind we're always glowing.
My little gas light flickering breathe me in a little deeper.
Tell me does my mind deceive...
Or was that just on TV?
Did you make up your mind?
Just push that all aside.
In this fucked reality you don't know what to believe.
My little gas light, tiny heater, breathe me in a little deeper.
Tell me what I'm suppose to know...
What pain there was you'll never know.
My ugly face, my pitiful life
If you aren't disgusted they're probably lies.
Songs i wrote as punishment to a world whom i haven't met.
A sky i saw just yesterday made me think that maybe we should give each other another chance
To open up and take a glance.
Don't try to talk, don't try to move
Let's work it out, i thought you knew...
These hurtful words you spoke to me
In south dakota is where you killed me.
Tell me does my mind deceive...
Or was that just on TV?
Did you make up your mind?
Just push that all aside.
In this fucked reality you don't know what to believe.
Maybe if I had another chance I could sing and maybe watch you dance.
Maybe all this time on my mind has begun to make me unwind.
But when you left apart of me died into the heat of my hands.
The lyrics to Escanaba Firing Line's song "Dakota" delve into feelings of disillusionment and despair that arise from the hardships and struggles of daily life. The opening lines describe a sense of suffocation and hopelessness, as the singer seeks solace in the warmth of a gas heater while wondering what direction to take in life. The mention of a "crappy job" suggests a struggle to make ends meet, while the repetition of the line "every day with my tiny heater" reinforces the singer's sense of isolation and the suffocating monotony of daily routine.
The middle section of the song takes on a more aggressive tone, with the singer expressing a desire to "tie her up and pin her down" - perhaps suggesting a wish to escape or rebel against societal expectations and restrictions. The imagery of walking on glass and the reference to "hurtful words" also suggest a sense of vulnerability and pain. Despite this, there is a glimmer of hope in the sky the singer saw "just yesterday", which suggests a possibility of renewal and redemption.
Line by Line Meaning
My little gas light, tiny heater, breathe me in a little deeper.
The singer's small comforts provide temporary relief from life's difficulties.
Tell me what I'm suppose to do...
The singer is lost and seeking guidance.
Don't kick me down just pull me through.
The singer asks for support instead of criticism.
This crappy job, the shit we do to make a life for me and you.
The artist expresses frustration with their circumstances.
Everyday we go down deeper.
The artist feels trapped or stuck.
Everyday with my tiny heater.
The singer clings to what little comfort they can find.
We'll tie her up and pin her down and pull her hair back from the ground.
The lyrics shift to a violent or aggressive tone, possibly reflecting frustration or anger.
Your little light still flickering, The air still warm inside of me.
Despite the negativity, the artist still finds some small comfort.
We'll walk on glass with feign surprise 'cause in your mind we're always glowing.
The artist feels pressure to pretend everything is okay, even when it's not.
Tell me does my mind deceive... Or was that just on TV?
The artist is uncertain about what they can trust or believe in.
Did you make up your mind? Just push that all aside.
The singer asks someone to overlook or forgive past mistakes.
In this fucked reality you don't know what to believe.
The situation feels chaotic and confusing for the artist.
What pain there was you'll never know.
The singer feels misunderstood or unseen by others.
My ugly face, my pitiful life. If you aren't disgusted they're probably lies.
The singer expresses self-loathing and doubts whether others could truly accept them.
Songs i wrote as punishment to a world whom i haven't met.
The singer channels their frustration into creative expression.
A sky i saw just yesterday made me think that maybe we should give each other another chance.
The artist finds hope in a recent experience or memory.
To open up and take a glance. Don't try to talk, don't try to move. Let's work it out, i thought you knew...
The artist urges someone to listen and be open to reconciliation.
These hurtful words you spoke to me. In south dakota is where you killed me.
The song takes a darker turn and describes past trauma or pain.
Maybe if I had another chance I could sing and maybe watch you dance.
The singer dreams of a better future with someone else.
Maybe all this time on my mind has begun to make me unwind.
The artist's thoughts or emotions may be overwhelming them.
But when you left apart of me died into the heat of my hands.
The artist feels heartbroken or betrayed by someone leaving their life.
Contributed by Anna J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@gravyboat17
pinot noir is classic.
@gravyboat17
false start is my favorite though.
@ryanefl
you are my favorite