The band burst into the scene, gaining the attention of bloggers and music tastemakers nationwide after the release of their debut full-length, Ladders. Released a few short months after the band’s formation, Ladders showed extreme promise for the band, featuring a powerhouse assortment of tracks that effortlessly mixed the lyrical sincerity of Death Cab For Cutie and the mainstream arrangements of alternative-rock superstars Coldplay.
Since their first release, Escape Directors have grown immensely, hitting the books and learning the ropes of the music business, fine-tuning their musical craft. Escape Directors grew closer than ever, which helped fuel material for their newest EP, The Crowded Room, which is set a July 16 release. The band picked up and moved to Cleveland for a week to work with indie and alternative guru Jim Wirt. The legendary producer has guided several big names in the scene, including Something Corporate, Jack’s Mannequin, Incubus, Fiona Apple and Hidden In Plain View. With the new EP, Escape Directors promise even more experimental tracks by throwing in rock-driven instrumentals and influence from indie acts like Radiohead.
Recently named the “Best of 2010” by Q104.3’s Jonathan Clarke, the quartet is finalizing potential touring plans for later this summer.
Chicago
Escape Directors Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In a stolen car from Chicago
And I don't think I'll ever make it back
They claimed I shot a man up there
In a drunken bar, smoke in the air
But I've never even met that man before
And a family to protect from the law
But I must move on or else I'm gone
My family will be fine without me here
They don't need me anymore
I read the Ginsberg apathy
And drank like Charles Bukowski
But never lived a life on the run
Oh it's scary here on my own
Fleeing death on the open road
I hope I make it out alive
I made it to the border
A fugitive of fame
A half a tank of gas to my name
A family in the states
I never will forget
But I don't think they even know my name
Escape Directors' song 'Chicago' is a story-telling track that follows the narrative of a man on the run from the law, leaving his life in Chicago behind and heading towards Mexico. The opening lines, "I'm heading down to Mexico, In a stolen car from Chicago, And I don't think I'll ever make it back," signify the singer's desperation to escape the repercussions of his actions. He claims that he never shot the man in the drunken bar, but the authorities don't believe him, and he's left with no choice but to flee.
The second verse serves as a cautionary tale, with the person advising the singer not to run away from his troubles, but to stay and take responsibility for his actions. They remind him that he has bills to pay and a family to protect from the law. However, the singer's mind is made up, and he believes that his family will be fine without him there. The line "But never lived a life on the run" indicates that while the singer is embarking on this journey now, this isn't the life he's used to or wants to lead.
As he reaches the border, he reflects on his life and his family. He has half a tank of gas to his name, indicating that he has very little left to give. The line "A fugitive of fame" suggests that despite his attempts to remain hidden and unknown, his actions have gained him notoriety. So much so, that he doesn't even think his family knows his name anymore. The closing line leaves the listener with a sense of melancholy, knowing that the singer's actions have left him isolated and alone.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm heading down to Mexico
I'm traveling to Mexico, fleeing from Chicago
In a stolen car from Chicago
I'm traveling in a car that I stole from Chicago
And I don't think I'll ever make it back
I don't believe I'll return to Chicago
They claimed I shot a man up there
They accuse me of shooting a man at a bar in Chicago
In a drunken bar, smoke in the air
The shooting occurred at a bar where people were smoking and drinking
But I've never even met that man before
I don't know the man that I am accused of shooting
Don't runaway, you've got bills to pay
Don't escape because you have responsibilities to fulfill
And a family to protect from the law
You have a family to keep away from the authorities' surveillance
But I must move on or else I'm gone
I must leave or face the consequences of being apprehended
My family will be fine without me here
My family won't be affected without me present
They don't need me anymore
They can handle themselves without me
I read the Ginsberg apathy
I read Ginsberg's book about detachment and indifference
And drank like Charles Bukowski
I drank heavily, like Charles Bukowski
But never lived a life on the run
I have never been in the situation of fleeing
Oh it's scary here on my own
Being alone in this situation is frightening
Fleeing death on the open road
Running away from the danger on the highway
I hope I make it out alive
I hope to survive this ordeal
I made it to the border
I arrived at the border
A fugitive of fame
I'm on the run, known and recognized
A half a tank of gas to my name
I have only half a tank of gas on this journey
A family in the states
I have a family in the United States
I never will forget
I will always remember them
But I don't think they even know my name
My family may not recognize me anymore
Contributed by Gianna S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Christopher Morriss
Guys, this came out fucking awesome. I'm so impressed
Tony Lombardo
Hey! That's my old guitar!
Guild176
fantastic