Black Derby Jacket
Rancid Lyrics

Books on Emerson books on Thoreau
I had books that many would find profound, but I didn't care for them and instead focused on maps of the places I was traveling to.

And I was three thousand miles away from you
I was far away from someone important to me.

All the while I was twenty-two
I was young and trying to figure out who I was.

What do you do to know who you are?
I was questioning how one can truly know themselves.

The best way for me to drop out on tour
Going on tour was my way of escaping from everything else.

You went to upstate NY (New York) to go to school
Someone important to me moved to upstate New York to attend school.

To secure the roll with your parents
Their parents were supporting their decision to attend school in upstate New York.

I got a new perspective on you
Being away from someone allowed me to see them in a different light.

All the good and bad that we went through
I was able to reflect on the ups and downs of our relationship.

I know you better than you know you
Through my new perspective, I understand this person better than they do themselves.

I never needed much, I never liked to loom
I don't require much and don't like to be in the spotlight.

But a gesture can get me from across the room
Despite not wanting a lot of attention, a small gesture from someone can catch my attention regardless of where I am in the room.

The first night we talked until while the sun caught up
We had a deep conversation all night long until the morning sunlight arrived.

Transparent people melting all around us
Everyone around us, who may have been guarded, were able to be themselves and open up in our presence.

You left in a plane, I left in a van
We parted ways in different modes of transportation.

Played nightclub house-parties and auditoriums
I played shows at various types of venues during my tour.

Saw Germany England Italy with my band
I traveled with my band to different countries in Europe.

I know you better than your new friends
My deeper understanding of this person makes me realize I know them better than their new friends do.

Ford Econdlane September '93
A reference to a specific car and month/year.

Driving ten hours until my eyes are blurry
I drove for a long time, which left my eyes feeling tired and unfocused.

Three packs of Winstons and a bag of seeds
I had cigarettes and seeds to snack on during my journey.

Tapes of 'x' and a thermos of coffee
I had music and coffee to keep me awake and entertained while driving.

Six weeks on and ten days off
My touring schedule consisted of six weeks on tour and then a ten-day break.

Then I go back on the road for another show
After my break, I went back on tour to play more shows.

This is all that I've ever done
Touring and playing music is my sole focus in life.

'But I got a new perspective on you All the good and bad that we went through I know you better than you know you 'Cause I got a new perspective on you'
The chorus repeats the idea that being away from someone allowed me to see them in a different light and understand them better than they understand themselves.