Born to two neuroscientists, Ritter bought his first guitar from the local K-MART after hearing the Bob Dylan and Johnny Cash classic Girl From The North Country. He started at Oberlin College with the intent to follow in his parents' scientist footsteps, but instead discovered songwriting, and the music of artists like Gillian Welch, Townes Van Zandt, and Leonard Cohen. He graduated and then moved east, favoring its close proximity to historic folk clubs such as "Club Passim" in Boston. On a shoestring budget he recorded his critically acclaimed breakthrough album Golden Age of Radio in 2002 at various tiny, one-room studios on the East Coast. He has continued to grow from there, further developing his sound on subsequent albums.
Josh has recorded several records and E.P.s. In chronological order, they are:
Josh Ritter (Self Titled) (2000)
Golden Age of Radio (2001)
Come and Find Me EP (2003)
Hello Starling (2003)
4 Songs Live E.P. (2005)
The Animal Years (2006)
Girl In The War E.P. (2006)
Good Man E.P. (2006)
In The Dark: Live At Vicar Street (2006)
The Historical Conquests Of Josh Ritter (2007)
Live at the Record Exchange EP (2008)
So Runs the World Away (2010)
To the Yet Unknowing World (2011)
Josh Ritter & The Royal City Band, Live at The Iveagh Gardens (April 2011)
The Beast In Its Tracks (2013)
Acoustic Live, Vol.1 (2015)
Sermon on the Rocks (2015)
Bandits
Josh Ritter Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
They're all cast in fire and gold.
In a gold no one can weigh,
We made out like bandits, babe.
And all those Bonnies, all those Clydes,
They're amateurs to you and I,
And coming home's a prison break
And all that love, all those mistakes
And what else can a poor man make,
Do you wonder if there was
Any rich folks rich as us?
And they say those two won't get far
In the backseat of a car
But we pulled off the interstate
And out like bandits babe.
And we pulled off the interstate
And made out like bandits, babe.
The lyrics of Josh Ritter's song "Bandits" are a nostalgic and romantic recollection of a past relationship. The opening lines, "All those kisses that we stole/They're all cast in fire and gold," describe a memory that is precious and enduring. The use of the word "gold" is interesting because it suggests not only the value of the memories, but also their immortality. The singer asserts that the love they shared is beyond any objective measure of worth.
The refrain, "We made out like bandits, babe," is repeated several times throughout the song, emphasizing the idea that they took what they wanted from life and their love, despite any obstacles or constraints. The references to Bonnie and Clyde heighten the sense of rebellion and lawlessness, as well as the depth of the connection between the two lovers. The line, "And coming home's a prison break," underscores the idea that their relationship was an escape from the mundane and oppressive aspects of everyday life.
The final lines of the song, "And they say those two won't get far/In the backseat of a car/But we pulled off the interstate/And out like bandits babe," signify the triumph of their love over societal norms and expectations. The metaphorical act of "pulling off the interstate" and "making out like bandits" represents the way that they were able to create their own path and defy conventions.
Line by Line Meaning
All those kisses that we stole
Referring to the stolen moments of passion in their relationship.
They're all cast in fire and gold.
The memories of their stolen kisses is treasured and priceless to both of them.
In a gold no one can weigh,
Their love is invaluable and cannot be measured by material possessions.
We made out like bandits, babe.
They took advantage of every moment and opportunity they had to be together, seizing life and their love.
And all those Bonnies, all those Clydes,
Alluding to the idea of themselves as a pair of robbers who hit the jackpot in finding each other and their love.
They're amateurs to you and I,
Their love is unique and the strongest force they know.
And coming home's a prison break
Their mundane, everyday lives are a mere existence, and being together is the only time they truly feel alive.
And all that love, all those mistakes
Despite their flaws and past mistakes, their love for each other perseveres.
And what else can a poor man make,
Reflecting on the difficulties of life and how true love can be the only redeeming factor.
Do you wonder if there was
Questioning if there is anyone else out there who loves as fiercely as they do.
Any rich folks rich as us?
Despite lacking material wealth, they feel like the richest people on earth because of their love.
And they say those two won't get far
Society might not approve or understand their love, but it prevails nonetheless.
In the backseat of a car
Describing an intimate moment they shared together in secrecy.
But we pulled off the interstate
They decided to change their lives by taking a risk and following their hearts.
And out like bandits babe.
Willing to go against society to protect and preserve their love.
And we pulled off the interstate
Repeating the previous line to emphasize the importance of their decision to be together.
And made out like bandits, babe.
Continuing to take advantage of every moment in their newfound freedom and love.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
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