Gin Blossoms are an alternative rock/power pop band that formed in 1987, in… Read Full Bio ↴Gin Blossoms are an alternative rock/power pop band that formed in 1987, in Tempe, Arizona, United States, known for their melodic yet melancholic sound. The band originally consisted of Robin Wilson (vocals, guitar), Jesse Valenzuela (guitar, vocals), Doug Hopkins (guitar), Bill Leen (bass), and Phillip Rhodes (drums). Shortly after finishing their debut major album, 'New Miserable Experience', the band fired Hopkins (who was also the band's principal songwriter and penned their hits "Found Out About You" and "Hey Jealousy") and replaced him with Scott Johnston.

Released on August 4, 1992, 'New Miserable Experience' proved a sonic contrast to the grunge and aggressive hard rock inspired music in vogue at the time. It became a strong commercial success, reaching the #1 spot on Billboard's Heatseekers chart. Aforementioned hits "Found Out About You" and "Hey Jealousy" were top 40 smashes on Billboard's Hot 100 chart, still getting consistent radio airplay as the years went on.

Though blessed with songwriting talent, Hopkins struggled both with addiction and with major depression. Sadly, Hopkins committed suicide in December of 1993. The band continued without him and achieved more major success, their power pop inspired, emotional lyrics becoming a precursor to later adult alternative groups of the late 90s and 00s. Still, they experienced more line-up changes, as Rhodes left the band shortly after their 2002 reunion (returning for a brief period in 2005). Currently the band does not have a permanent drummer.

They took their name from a photo of W.C. Fields which bore the caption "W.C. Fields with gin blossoms," referring to the actor's gin-ravaged nose. The band, who were musically weaned on rock artists such as The Byrds and Tom Petty, released three albums and had several hits in the mid-90s before breaking up in 1997. Five years later in 2002, the band reunited, released a DVD, resumed touring, and promised a fourth album.

Titled 'Major Lodge Victory', the Gin Blossoms' first album in ten years was released on August 8, 2006 on the Hybrid Recordings label. They have done much well-received touring since then. For example, the group joined Everclear, Sugar Ray, Lit and Marcy Playground on the 'Summerland Tour 2012', a 31-date nationwide tour that began on June 28, 2012, in Saratoga, California, and ended on August 11, 2012, in Laughlin, Nevada. The band later released 'No Chocolate Cake' on September 28, 2010; and 'Mixed Reality' on June 15, 2018.

Folsom Prison Blues
Gin Blossoms Lyrics

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Well I hear that train a comin'
It's rollin' around the bend
I ain't seen the sunshine
Since I don't know when
Well I'm stuck in Folsom Prison
And time keeps draggin' on
That train keeps rollin'
On down to San Antone

When I was just a baby
My mama told me, "son,
Always be a good boy
Don't you ever play with guns"
But I shot a man in Reno
Just to watch him die
When I hear that lonesome whistle
I hang my head and cry

Well I bet there's rich folks eating
In a fancy dinin' car
I bet they're taking mushrooms
And smokin' big cigars
Well I know I had it comin'
I know I can't be free
Those people keep movin'
And that's what tortures me

If they free me from this prison
If that railroad train was mine
You bet I'd move it on
A little farther down the line
Yeah, far from Folsom Prison
That's where I want to be
Well those people keep movin'
Goddammit, that's what tortures me

If they'd free me from this prison
If that railroad train was mine
You bet I'd move it on
A little farther down the line
Yeah, far from Folsom Prison
That's where I want to be

Well those people keep movin'
Goddammit that's what tortures me

Overall Meaning

The song "Folsom Prison Blues" by Gin Blossoms is a cover of a song originally written by Johnny Cash. The song tells the story of a man who is stuck in Folsom Prison and is tortured by the sound of a train that he hears passing by, knowing that it is taking wealthy people to their freedom while he is stuck in prison. The lyrics also reveal that the man is in prison for shooting a man in Reno, just to watch him die. The man regrets his actions and is haunted by them, as he hangs his head and cries when he hears the train whistle.

The song speaks to the theme of freedom and the consequences that come with bad decisions. The man in the song is paying the price for his actions, and now all he wants is to be out of prison and free from the torture of hearing the train passing by. The lyrics also show the contrast between the rich and the poor, as the man imagines the wealthy people enjoying their lavish meals and vices on the train. The song has a strong sense of melancholy and regret, as the man reflects on his past and the mistake that landed him in prison.

Line by Line Meaning

Well I hear that train a comin'
I hear the train approaching

It's rollin' around the bend
It's curving around the section of track

I ain't seen the sunshine
I haven't seen the sun since I can't remember

Since I don't know when
For a very long time

Well I'm stuck in Folsom Prison
I'm trapped in Folsom Prison

And time keeps draggin' on
Time feels very slow

That train keeps rollin'
The train continues its journey

On down to San Antone
Heading towards San Antonio

When I was just a baby
When I was very young

My mama told me, "son,
My mother said to me,

Always be a good boy
Behave well