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.
My Car
Gin Blossoms Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm driving right past my old school
I'm looking for my pack of cigarettes
I'm thinking back on things I've done
I can't forget the stupid ones
It seems I do my best by accident
What's that sound, what's that song
What's this street I'm driving on
In my car
I miss her feel, her touch, her taste
I feel the distance everyplace
This distance can't be taken casually
I take my time, just drive around
Feeling lost in my hometown
Every turn I take is comforting
What's that sound, what's that song
What's this street I'm driving on
In my car
In my car
I'll take a break from all their big plans
My first mistake was listening to them
I made a mess it's all been proven
Over and over again
Over and over again
Streetlights on, the night air's cool
I'm driving right past my old school
Looking for some face I can't forget
I take my time, just drive around
Feeling lost in my hometown
Every turn I take's an accident
What's that sound, what's that song.
The lyrics to Gin Blossoms' "My Car" reflect a sense of nostalgia and a longing for something that is now gone. The singer is driving around their hometown, passing their old school, and reminiscing on the mistakes they have made in the past. They are searching for a sense of comfort and familiarity by driving around aimlessly, hoping to find some face or memory that will bring back the feelings they have lost. The repetition of lines like "What's that sound, what's that song" gives the impression of someone lost and searching for direction, both physically and emotionally.
The use of imagery, particularly with the description of the streetlights and the night air, creates a sense of atmosphere that complements the wistfulness of the lyrics. The singer's regret and longing are particularly evident in lines like "I miss her feel, her touch, her taste" and "This distance can't be taken casually." The repetition of "Over and over again" emphasizes the sense of frustration and hopelessness that the singer is feeling.
Overall, "My Car" is a song that beautifully captures the feeling of being lost and searching for something that is now gone. The lyrics reflect a sense of nostalgia and regret, as well as a longing for the past.
Line by Line Meaning
Streetlights on, the night air's cool
It's dark outside and the temperature is pleasant
I'm driving right past my old school
The singer is passing by their former school while driving
I'm looking for my pack of cigarettes
The singer is in search of their cigarettes
I'm thinking back on things I've done
The singer is reflecting on their past actions
I can't forget the stupid ones
The singer remembers the foolish things they've done
It seems I do my best by accident
The singer is inclined towards acting spontaneously
What's that sound, what's that song
The singer notices a sound or song they are unaware of
What's this street I'm driving on
The singer questions the current location while driving
In my car
The singer is reflecting while driving in their car
I miss her feel, her touch, her taste
The singer yearns for a lost love's physical presence
I feel the distance everyplace
The singer feels the sensation of distance wherever they go
This distance can't be taken casually
The singer views the distance with great importance
I take my time, just drive around
The singer drives aimlessly without any specific destination
Feeling lost in my hometown
The singer is unsure in their familiar surroundings
Every turn I take is comforting
The singer finds solace in making turns while driving
I'll take a break from all their big plans
The singer decides to take a break from the plans of others
My first mistake was listening to them
The singer regrets having listened to others
I made a mess it's all been proven
The singer's past mistakes are now evident
Over and over again
The singer has repeated their mistakes multiple times
Streetlights on, the night air's cool
The surroundings are still dark and cool
Looking for some face I can't forget
The singer seeks a familiar face they cannot forget
Every turn I take's an accident
The singer believes they reach their destinations by coincidence or mistake
What's that sound, what's that song.
The singer hears another unfamiliar sound or song
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JESSE M. VALENZUELA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Travel & Music BNC
One of their more underrated songs. Would be great if they would add it to their setlist.
Jon Nickerson
Well said!
Paul LaD
Damn, these guys are good!
Fred Velez
“ seems I do my best by accident”....yep