He released his first album, entitled "Slim Pickens", in 1999. "When The Sun's Gone Down" followed in 2005.
In August 2006, Langhorne Slim and his then band (The War Eagles) signed to V2 Records, who folded on the deal. The band then signed to Kemado Records and released their only album.
In its December 2008 edition, Paste Magazine named his 2008 solo self-titled album number 14 in its list of 25 best albums of the year. His song "Electric Love Letter" was number 5 on the Rolling Stone editor's top 10 picks. In 2008 Slim and band were a guest act on David Letterman.
In 2009 he released, Be Set Free, which includes guest vocals from Erika Wennerstrom (of Heartless Bastards).
In 2009 the War Eagles welcomed a new upright bass player, Jeff Ratner (succeeding long-time member Paul Defiglia) to join Malachi DeLorenzo (the son of Victor Delorenzo, drummer of the Violent Femmes) on drums and David Moore on keyboard and banjo. The touring band varied, and sometimes included a horn section.
Langhorne sang "God Bless America" for the seventh inning stretch during a Philadelphia Phillies game, and the song "Worries" was featured in a Travelers Insurance commercial. T
Langhorne Slim and his new band, The Law, released "The Way We Move" on June 5, 2012. "The Spirit Moves" followed on August 7, 2015 (via Dualtone Records).
Subsequent solo albums are "Lost At Last Vol. 1" (2017), "Strawberry Mansion" (2021), ...
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Back to the Wild
Langhorne Slim Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Looking into a crystal ball and I don't know why
Living too fast to live too long
I don't want to die but I don't know yet where I belong
I've had it better than some and I know I shouldn't complain
Though my grandfather told me once that all pain hurts the same
Your bottle is empty but your glass has been filled
Some are born to be good, some are born to be bad
Most did the best that they could and others wish that they had
If I could return to when I was a child
I'd forget what I learned and go back to the wild
Back to the wild
Back to the wild
Back to the wild
The lyrics to Langhorne Slim's song "Back to the Wild" explore themes of self-discovery, mortality, and the desire to return to a more simple way of life. The opening lines, "Sit all day pissin' away my time, looking into a crystal ball and I don't know why," suggest feelings of aimlessness and uncertainty about the future. The singer acknowledges that they are "living too fast to live too long" and desires to find their place in the world.
The second verse takes a reflective tone, with the singer expressing gratitude for their life despite its imperfections. They recall their grandfather's wisdom that "all pain hurts the same," suggesting that everyone experiences hardship and it is a shared human experience. The line "Your bottle is empty but your glass has been filled" could be interpreted as a metaphor for feeling as though you have everything you need, yet still feeling unfulfilled. The singer acknowledges that they may hurt someone they care about, suggesting perhaps that the desire for self-discovery and change may come at a cost.
The final verse includes the powerful lines "Some are born to be good, some are born to be bad, most did the best that they could and others wish that they had." This suggests that everyone has their own struggles and shortcomings, and it is important to recognize that we are all doing the best we can. The last line, "If I could return to when I was a child, I'd forget what I learned and go back to the wild," expresses the desire to return to a simpler time before the pressures and expectations of adulthood.
Line by Line Meaning
Sit all day pissin' away my time
Wasting my time by sitting idle all day long.
Looking into a crystal ball and I don't know why
Searching for clarity in life without any particular reason.
Living too fast to live too long
Leading life in the fast lane that might cut short my life span.
I don't want to die but I don't know yet where I belong
Being unsure of my purpose in life but having a fear of death.
I've had it better than some and I know I shouldn't complain
Feeling guilty for not being grateful enough for having a better life than many others.
Though my grandfather told me once that all pain hurts the same
Learning from my grandfather that suffering is universal and does not discriminate.
Your bottle is empty but your glass has been filled
Being deprived of some things in life while having an abundance of others.
Now, I don't want to break your heart but I probably will
Not wanting to hurt someone's feelings but realizing that it might happen anyway.
Some are born to be good, some are born to be bad
Acknowledging that human nature is a mix of good and evil tendencies.
Most did the best that they could and others wish that they had
Recognizing that most people try their best but some regret their past actions.
If I could return to when I was a child
Wishing to go back to a simpler time when life was less complicated.
I'd forget what I learned and go back to the wild
Desiring to let go of the societal norms and constraints that were learned and go back to a more primitive way of being.
Back to the wild
Reflecting on the desire to return to a state of nature.
Back to the wild
Reinforcing the desire to reconnect with one's primal self.
Back to the wild
Ending the song with a repetition of the central theme.
Contributed by Jonathan F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.