During this time he also appeared in regular stints at the Wetlands Preserve. Although still relatively unknown, Devine gained some popularity with his 2003 album, Make the Clocks Move. Newer songs reflect Devine's political views and the recent death of his father to a stroke. He has recorded records for Immigrant Sun Records and Triple Crown Records and has worked with Brooklyn based producer Mike Skinner, who is also credited as the drummer on his solo records as well as the drummer for Miracle of 86. He signed with Capitol Records, who released his fourth album, Put Your Ghost to Rest, on October 17, 2006. Only four months after his major label debut, Devine was dropped from Capitol Records due to EMI merging Virgin and Capitol Records.
Devine was able to gather a strong fan base as a result of his exposure through touring with Brand New. First appearing as their opening act in their 2004 spring tour, Devine made a small splash among their fan base. However, opening for them again in April 2006, and joining their 2007 Spring tour with Manchester Orchestra, Kevin's following was multiplying by the day. (Kevin also opened for Brand New as a surprise act at the Triple Crown Records 10th Anniversary Concert.)
Devine's late 2007 touring schedule included a tour with close friend Jesse Lacey (of Brand New) and Grace Read at the end of July through early August, followed by a short trip to London, a spot on the Austin City Limits Festival, and a tour with Chin Up Chin Up throughout Germany. In October 2007 he toured with Andy Hull from Manchester Orchestra and Owen.
Kevin posted numerous demos via his MySpace profile in late 2007/early 2008 and after negotiations with Capitol records, "Put Your Ghost To Rest" was re-released on April 20, 2008 by Procrastinate! Music Traitors.
Kevin toured Europe with Jenny Owen Youngs and Tournaments in May and other tours followed throughout 2008 with Jesse Lacey, Rachael Yamagata and Matt Pryor in August and September 2008.[1]
In late 2008, Kevin announced his new album Brother's Blood would be released in early 2009 on Favorite Gentlemen records, as well as a tour with Manchester Orchestra and the I Could Be With Anyone EP in support of both.
Brooklyn Boy
Kevin Devine Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hey hey, it's my birthday
It's a toy I torched, a tar pit flame, a lockjaw night
Hey hey, it's my birthday
Dead end friends that make your stomach shake
While your hissing head barrels down that blackened lane
Alone at last to figure how you got this way
Charcoal clouds spot and spray, they kill the sun
Hey hey, hear its back break
So I can never tell night from day
Or right from wrong,
Hey hey, you're my headache
Your silver tongue it masks your hungry hate
While your haggard heart whispers through its cracking cage
You still can change, you have to know, you still can change
I know, I know, for now I wanna be this way
This was a choice, this was never a mistake
The song "Brooklyn Boy" by Kevin Devine is a reflection on the journey and hardships of growing up and living in Brooklyn. The opening lines "Brooklyn boy, born and raised, chopping lines" introduce the persona of the song as someone who has seen tough times and finds solace through drugs. The phrase "Hey hey, it's my birthday" is repeated throughout the song, perhaps in an attempt to break the monotony of everyday life or as a coping mechanism.
The second verse focuses on the persona's relationships with friends who cause more harm than good. The person describes them as "dead end friends" who make their stomach shake. The line "Alone at last to figure how you got this way" suggests that the persona knows they need to make a change in their life and that their friends may be hindering them.
The third verse touches on the theme of darkness and how it is a constant presence in the singer's life. The "charcoal clouds" that "spot and spray" represent a sense of hopelessness and a lack of direction. The persona also acknowledges that they struggle to distinguish between right and wrong and can't tell "night from day."
In the last verse, the persona describes a self-awareness of their own flaws but seems resigned to them "for now." They acknowledge that they have made choices in life that have led to their current situation and that change is possible. The final line "I know, I know, for now I wanna be this way" emphasizes the struggle between wanting to change and feeling stuck in one's current situation.
Line by Line Meaning
Brooklyn boy, born and raised, chopping lines
I was raised in Brooklyn and grew up around drug use and addiction.
Hey hey, it's my birthday
I'm celebrating my birthday tonight.
It's a toy I torched, a tar pit flame, a lockjaw night
The drugs I'm using tonight make me feel like I'm playing with fire, but I can't stop.
Dead end friends that make your stomach shake
My friends are all users and it's hard to be around them.
While your hissing head barrels down that blackened lane
I feel like I'm going down a dark path with no way out.
Alone at last to figure how you got this way
I need to be alone to figure out why I've become addicted to drugs.
Charcoal clouds spot and spray, they kill the sun
The drugs are making me see everything in a dark and depressing way.
Hey hey, hear its back break
I'm beginning to realize the damage the drugs are doing to me.
So I can never tell night from day
The drugs are taking over my life, and my perception of day and night is shifting.
Or right from wrong,
I'm losing the ability to distinguish between what's right and wrong.
Hey hey, you're my headache
The drugs are causing me physical and emotional pain, but I can't stop using them.
Your silver tongue it masks your hungry hate
I'm becoming a different person because of the drugs; I'm angry and resentful but I try to hide it.
While your haggard heart whispers through its cracking cage
Despite my attempts to hide it, I know that my heart is suffering because of the drugs.
You still can change, you have to know, you still can change
I know that I can change and overcome my addiction if I really try.
I know, I know, for now I wanna be this way
I know that drugs are ruining my life, but for the moment I can't imagine living without them.
This was a choice, this was never a mistake
I know that I made the decision to start using drugs, but I don't regret it yet.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: KEVIN PATRICK DEVINE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Alex Kinol
I'm still in love with this man.
Mu Lin
he will be in Chicago this summer...:)
amanda h
Absolutly nothing short of amazing. You leave me speechless, Kevin Devine.
Jheri Osoneko
you guys did a fantastic job with this video. hope to see more.
jesse amos
Kevin, i love your music man, it's an inspiration, i would kill to see you play live man, your amazing and your lyrics speak a lot of truth, keep on with the amazing work man. i hope to hear back from you one day, that would be the story of my life.
rosiesantiago
Love the words and the video, GREAT. Thanks for sharing
Cupcakes
Love this song <3
paul manini
kevin, great video. it brought back memories. your music is also very good. thanks
Demi Elisson
i love this video. it reminds me so much of home. yay bay ridge!<3
chanellelacey
his eyes always look straight into your soul