The seven-piece alt-rock group draws inspiration from multiple genres inclu… Read Full Bio ↴The seven-piece alt-rock group draws inspiration from multiple genres including rock, funk, jazz, blues, and ska, featuring a unique mixture of the typical rock band drums, bass, guitar, and vocals, as well as keys and brass- namely sax and trumpet with the occasional trombone, flute, and strings. The brass brings on the jazzy, funk-laced feel, dependent on the song, while keys, vocals, guitars, and drums adapt to fit the different feel each song delivers. “It’s like if you took angsty 2000s punk rock (think like Anthony Raneri from Bayside) and put it in a blender with Ben Folds style piano melodies, threw in some jazz, added in some smooth orchestral elements, and sprinkled in a little Rufus Wainwright for good measure,” according to OK Sessions. Going from wildly upbeat songs that make the audience dance around uncontrollably (namely “Gestapo,” “Deserve,” and “That Doesn’t Happen,”) the Bastards are never lacking when it’s time to take it down a notch for the slow dance with songs like “Lightning,” “Annie,” and “Lucky to Have You.”  Hailing from the Oklahoma City metro, the band formed in 2016, including band leader Johnny Manchild (vocals, keys), and co-founding members: Ethan Neel (drums), Ben Wood (trumpet), and James Thompson (bass). Danny McGinn (trumpet), Chris Lashley (guitar, vocals), and Logan From (saxophone) joined the lineup to complete the Poor Bastards as we know them today.

Stay Awake
Johnny Manchild and the Poor Bastards Lyrics

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So long Tramadol we knew you well
Slow crawl above it all, how we fell
Three little lines a kiss, goodbye never again
Oh my sweet, dependency, this is the end

Bitter drips of happiness, it overwhelms
Let me go, and take control, your hands at the helm
We never liked to talk about our little crimes

To you, my sweet goodnight
Hold my head upright

It just ain't sane keeping you around
Sit and drown without a sound
I can't hang around this place no more
You wear me out you bring me down
Just stay awake, until the morning comes

Rings of light and narrow sights take a seat
It's best to keep the music loud and tap our feet
Lay your head and wake up dead, tonight we stay alive
Dance our way through death and daze, and maybe we survive

Everything is different when you're waiting for the light
Make it through the night with you and then I'll hold you tight
But when my gut is empty and my vision is renewed
I'll walk away from you
I will not die with you

It just ain't sane keeping you around
Sit and drown without a sound
I can't hang around this place no more

You wear me out you bring me down
Just stay awake, until the morning comes

Overall Meaning

"Stay Awake" by Johnny Manchild and the Poor Bastards is a song about overcoming addiction, specifically to the opioid pain medication, tramadol. The lyrics speak about the struggles of letting go of a dependency and the bitter reality of withdrawal. The first verse says goodbye to Tramadol, acknowledging its presence as a means of escape from reality, but ultimately realizing that it only leads to further pain and dependency. The line "Bitter drips of happiness, it overwhelms" speaks to the temporary relief that Tramadol provides, but also acknowledges the price of constantly chasing that feeling.

The chorus highlights the desire to break free from the addiction and the need to stay awake in order to face the struggles that come with it. The lines "I can't hang around this place no more, you wear me out you bring me down" perfectly capture the feelings one has when trying to leave behind a toxic addiction.

The bridge provides some hope, acknowledging that things can get better and there is still a chance to survive. While the song deals with heavy subject matter, the music itself is upbeat and energetic, showcasing the hopeful message that the lyrics convey.

Line by Line Meaning

So long Tramadol we knew you well
Farewell to the addiction of Tramadol that we were familiar with

Slow crawl above it all, how we fell
The gradual and painful process of succumbing to addiction

Three little lines a kiss, goodbye never again
The three lines of the drug that brought temporary pleasure but also goodbye to it forever

Oh my sweet, dependency, this is the end
The addiction that was once sweet is now coming to an end

Bitter drips of happiness, it overwhelms
The fleeting moments of happiness that addiction brings are overshadowed by the bitterness and pain it causes

Let me go, and take control, your hands at the helm
Letting go of addiction and taking control of one's life, becoming the captain of one's own ship

We never liked to talk about our little crimes
The illegal and immoral things done in the name of addiction that were never discussed

To you, my sweet goodnight
Saying goodbye to addiction like a lover, with a bittersweet goodnight

Hold my head upright
Keeping one's head held high in the process of recovery

It just ain't sane keeping you around
Continuing to indulge in addiction is not rational or healthy

Sit and drown without a sound
Sitting in silence and numbing oneself with substances is not a productive or fulfilling life

I can't hang around this place no more
Leaving behind the environment and habits that perpetuated addiction

You wear me out you bring me down
Addiction drains one's energy and brings down their mood and wellbeing

Just stay awake, until the morning comes
Staying alert and awake through the difficult process of addiction recovery and waiting for a new day

Rings of light and narrow sights take a seat
The allure of temporary pleasure (rings of light) and short-term thinking (narrow sights) should take a back seat

It's best to keep the music loud and tap our feet
Turning the volume up on the music of life and enjoying the simple pleasures of existence

Lay your head and wake up dead, tonight we stay alive
Putting the addiction to rest and experiencing a new kind of aliveness

Dance our way through death and daze, and maybe we survive
Dancing through the haze of addiction and uncertainty, and hoping to come out on the other side

Everything is different when you're waiting for the light
Perceiving life in a new way while waiting for the darkness of addiction to lift

Make it through the night with you and then I'll hold you tight
Pushing through the difficult nights of addiction with hope for a better future

But when my gut is empty and my vision is renewed
When the initial suffering of addiction recovery has passed and one's outlook on life is more positive

I'll walk away from you
Moving forward and leaving the chains of addiction behind

I will not die with you
Refusing to let addiction bring about one's demise

Writer(s): Alexander Scott Preston, Cravens Rodney B, Pendergast George Edward, Richards John R, Wood James B, Waterman Marc

Contributed by Bailey H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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