Grandaddy are an American indie pop band formed in Modesto, California in 1… Read Full Bio ↴Grandaddy are an American indie pop band formed in Modesto, California in 1992 by singer/guitarist/keyboardist Jason Lytle, bassist Kevin Garcia, and drummer Aaron Burtch; although a noisy, lo-fi approach characterized early recordings like 1994's Complex Party Come Along Theories, with the 1995 additions of guitarist Jim Fairchild and keyboardist Tim Dryden the group's sound expanded exponentially over the course of subsequent efforts including the unreleased Don't Sock the Tryer and the 1996 EP A Pretty Mess by This One Band. Originally issued on indie label Will Records, 1997's acclaimed full-length Under the Western Freeway proved Grandaddy's creative breakthrough, and the following year the album was reissued on major-label V2, with "Summer Here Kids" earning Single of the Week honors in the pages of the NME. The Broken Down Comforter Collection, a compilation of singles tracks, preceded the 1999 Signal to Snow Ratio EP, which heralded a movement toward the vintage electronic textures further in evidence on 2000's superb The Sophtware Slump. In 2002, the group released another odds-n-sods collection, Concrete Dunes, which paved the way for a busy 2003: that spring, Grandaddy released the Floating Debris EP and their fourth full-length, Sumday, and spent the rest of the year touring, making appearances at festivals such as Glastonbury. In 2005, they resurfaced with the Excerpts from the Diary of Todd Zilla EP and a full-length album (Just Like the Fambly Cat) followed in 2006. It was to be their last, though Jason Lytle continues to tour, playing Grandaddy songs as well as his own solo works.

Additional Info:

Under the name Arm of Roger, Grandaddy recorded a joke album entitled The Ham and its Lily in 2002.

A.M. 180, which was released as a single, is featured prominently in the British film 28 Days Later.

On the 27th January 2006, Jason Lytle confirmed that the band would split following the release of their final album, Just Like The Fambly Cat.

Jason Lytle has since toured the US as a solo artist, playing Grandaddy songs from the last album and others. He is said to plan a solo career of new material.

On March 2, 2012, Grandaddy announced their reunion with news of a headline slot at the End of the Road Festival in Dorset, England on 2 September. Further dates are expected.

Gold
Grandaddy Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

If you dont mind I'm gonna call you gold
We met one night down at Modesto bowl
I'm not exactly sure what song was on
But the fireworks of you & I were goin'

I had gold and now I have none
I had gold and now i have none
Sister golden hair is out there somewhere in the sun

I had gold but gold's with someone else

Like so many other incidences
She acted sweet then gave me the berries
I wonder do you think of me at night?
I wonder who it is you're with tonight

I had gold and now i have none
I had gold and now i have none

There where just too many brand new things under the sun
I had gold now gold's with someone else

Overall Meaning

The song "Gold" by Grandaddy tells the story of a past relationship that didn't last, ultimately leading to the loss of something precious - gold. The lyrics are somewhat cryptic, but it seems that the singer met someone at a bowling alley in Modesto and was immediately struck by the chemistry between them. However, despite their initial connection, the relationship fell apart and the singer now finds himself alone, pondering whether the other person thinks of him and who they might be with instead. The line "sister golden hair is out there somewhere in the sun" could be a reference to the America song "Sister Golden Hair", which shares a similar theme of lost love and longing.

The comparison of the lost relationship to gold adds an interesting layer to the song's meaning. Gold is a highly valuable, precious metal that is often associated with wealth and luxury. Losing gold represents a significant loss, both financially and emotionally. The use of the metaphor suggests that the relationship was similarly valuable to the singer, and its loss has left him feeling empty and depleted.

Overall, the lyrics of "Gold" are wistful and melancholic, suggesting a regret for what could have been. The mysteriousness of the song adds to its allure, inviting interpretation and speculation from listeners.

Line by Line Meaning

If you don't mind I'm gonna call you gold
I'm going to give you a special name, gold, because you are precious to me.

We met one night down at Modesto bowl
That night we met at Modesto bowl was the start of something magical.

I'm not exactly sure what song was on
I don't remember the details of that night, only that we had a special connection.

But the fireworks of you & I were goin'
Our chemistry was palpable and intense, like fireworks igniting in the sky.

I had gold and now I have none
I used to have something precious, like gold, but now it's gone and I feel empty.

Sister golden hair is out there somewhere in the sun
Even though I lost something valuable, I know there is still beauty in the world to appreciate and admire.

I had gold but gold's with someone else
The precious thing I had is now owned by someone else and I am left with nothing.

Like so many other incidences
This unfortunate loss is just one of many similar experiences in life.

She acted sweet then gave me the berries
Although this person seemed kind and sweet, they ultimately hurt me and left me feeling bitter.

I wonder do you think of me at night?
I can't stop thinking about this person and wondering if they feel the same way about me.

I wonder who it is you're with tonight
It hurts me to think about this person being with someone else, especially when I am alone.

There were just too many brand new things under the sun
There are so many new experiences and opportunities in life, but losing something precious will always sting.

Contributed by Wyatt S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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