The band consists of Isbell (vocals, guitar); Sadler Vaden (guitar); Jimbo Hart (bass); Derry DeBorja (keys, accordion); Chad Gamble (drums).
Fiddle player and singer Amanda Shires features regularly as a session player and occasional touring member.
The band is named for the colloquial name of the psychiatric ward of Eliza Coffee Memorial Hospital in Florence, Alabama.
The band are credited as such on five of Isbell's eight studio full-lengths, Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit (2009); Here We Rest (2011); The Nashville Sound (2017); Reunions (2020); Weathervanes (2023). Though some or all of the members feature on Jason's three "solo" albums, 2007's Sirens of the Ditch, his 2013 breakthrough Southeastern, and 2015's Something More Than Free.
The band tour regularly in the United States and internationally, including and annual week of shows at Nashville's legendary Ryman Auditorium supported by Shires and a variety of up and coming country, folk, and soul artists.
Molotov
Jason Isbell and The 400 Unit Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A county fair in steamy September
In the Year of the Tiger 19-something
I was broke and you were unbroken
A little jokes to keep it unspoken
Even when I knew you were the last one
I broke a promise to myself
Burn out like a Molotov
In the night sky
I broke a promise to myself
Made a couple to a brown eyed girl
Who rode with me through the mean ol' world
Never say die
Time flies when you're making babies
Do you miss your little black Mercedes
Do you miss the girl you once had time to be
When you said we had the same three wishes
I hope you weren't being facetious
And I hope you still see fire inside of me
I broke a promise to myself
To ride the throttle 'til wheels came off
Burn out like a Molotov
In the night sky
I broke a promise to myself
Made a couple to a brown eyed girl
Who rode with me through the mean ol' world
Never say die
I broke a promise to myself
To ride the throttle 'til wheels came off
Burn out like a Molotov
In the night sky
I broke a promise to myself
Made a couple to a brown eyed girl
Who rode with me through the mean ol' world
Never say die
The songwriter seems to be reminiscing about a past love affair that took place at a county fair, perhaps sometime in the 1980s or 1990s ("In the Year of the Tiger 19-something"). He vividly remembers the girl he was with, even though it was years ago ("Another life but I still remember"). They had an unspoken connection, but he knew she was the last one.
The chorus suggests that the songwriter is reflecting on the promises he's made in his life, namely to ride the throttle until the wheels came off and to burn out like a Molotov. These are apt metaphors for living life to the fullest and not holding anything back. He also made a couple of promises to a brown-eyed girl, who rode with him through the "mean ol' world" and was his partner through thick and thin. These promises were to never say die, or give up on their love.
In the third verse, Isbell asks if the girl he once knew misses the life they had, or if she longs for the days when she had more freedom and autonomy ("Do you miss the girl you once had time to be"). He hopes that the wishes they shared will still come true and that she still sees fire inside of him, suggesting that their connection was passionate and intense.
Overall, the song seems to be about looking back on a past love affair and reflecting on the promises that were made, both to oneself and to others. The metaphor of the Molotov cocktail suggests a recklessness and youthful abandon, while the promise to never say die suggests a deeper commitment and loyalty.
Line by Line Meaning
Another life but I still remember
Reflecting on their past with someone who was important to them.
A county fair in steamy September
Recalling a specific moment in time with the person in question.
In the Year of the Tiger 19-something
Providing further detail about the specific moment in time being remembered.
I was broke and you were unbroken
Describing their personal situations at the time of the memory.
A little jokes to keep it unspoken
Using humor to hide true feelings or emotions.
Even when I knew you were the last one
Despite knowing that the person was important to them and they would eventually lose them.
I broke a promise to myself
Acknowledging a mistake that was made.
To ride the throttle 'til wheels came off
Going all in and giving it your all until there is nothing left.
Burn out like a Molotov
Comparing the intensity of their actions to the power of a Molotov cocktail.
In the night sky
Describing the visual of their intense actions.
Made a couple to a brown eyed girl
Making commitments to someone they care about deeply.
Who rode with me through the mean ol' world
Describing the hardships they faced and overcame together.
Never say die
A phrase of perseverance and determination to keep going despite adversity.
Time flies when you're making babies
Reflecting on how quickly time seems to pass as life progresses.
Do you miss your little black Mercedes
Asking if the person misses material possessions that they may have had in the past.
Do you miss the girl you once had time to be
Asking if the person misses who they used to be before life got in the way.
When you said we had the same three wishes
Recalling a previous conversation where they made a wish together.
I hope you weren't being facetious
Expressing a hope that the wish was earnest and not a joke.
And I hope you still see fire inside of me
Expressing a wish to still be seen as passionate and driven.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Michael Jason Isbell
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind