The band was formed in 1994 by guitarist / lead vocalist Willy Vlautin and bass player Dave Harding at the Portland Meadows horse race track. Known for Vlautin's incredibly rich and evocative lyrics, several of Richmond Fontaine's songs relate to horse racing specifically and gambling generally. This is largely an artifact of Vlautin's upbringing in Reno, Nevada, a place that is heavily referenced in his lyrics, along with Portland, the U.S. Western states in general and occasionally Mexico. Vlautin is also an acclaimed novelist, having written two respected books, The Motel Life and Northline. As a fiction writer, he is often compared to Raymond Carver and Charles Bukowski while his lyrical style is inspired by the narrative style of Australian artist Paul Kelly.
Musically, Richmond Fontaine cited influences such as Gram Parsons, X (U.S. band), Green on Red and Dave Alvin and they are often regarded as part of the rock alt.country movement that includes bands such as Drive-by Truckers, Slobberbone, Grand Champeen, The Damnations and others.
For reasons of touring patterns, and heavy support of the high-brow music press in the UK, Richmond Fontaine were consistently more successful in Europe than in the US.
Give Me Time
Richmond Fontaine Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Casino lights
Winnemucca now 13 miles out of sight
Don't stop unless you have to
Keep the line straight down, and
Give me boiler makers and give me time
That's not so crippled and clouded by you
I disappear into the slender of your back
As we near the industrial line, only 20 miles out
I can't wait to get back to the safe line
Where the bright lights never flicker
They just blind
No insurance policy or license to guard me
But it don't matter now cause I'm inside the city line
But still I'm disappeared into the calmness of your voice
And am held in your pale white hands
But soon the dim lights will grow bright and
Drown me in them
The song "Give Me Time" by Richmond Fontaine describes a journey, both literal and metaphorical, towards a place of safety and freedom. The first verse sets the scene, as the singer travels on a dark, lonely road past the bright lights of a casino and into the Nevada desert. The song's chorus expresses the singer's longing for relief from his troubles, something strong and potent like whisky ("boiler makers") and time to sort through his own issues, away from those who complicate his life. As the journey continues, the singer finds comfort in the presence of a companion, but still remains wary of the industrial world around him. The final verse suggests that despite the singer's reliance on his companion, he knows that he cannot escape the harsh, flickering reality forever, and will eventually be "drowned" by it.
Overall, "Give Me Time" is a powerful expression of the human desire for peace and clarity in a world that is often complicated and difficult to navigate. The lyrics use vivid imagery to transport the listener into the mind of the singer and to evoke a sense of longing and desperation for release from life's burdens.
Line by Line Meaning
Past the house lines and the apartment buildings
We leave civilization behind and embark on a journey
Casino lights
We pass by the shimmering lights of a casino
Winnemucca now 13 miles out of sight
We continue driving away from Winnemucca and leaving it far behind us
Don't stop unless you have to
We maintain our momentum and don't suspend our journey unless it is necessary
Keep the line straight down, and
We stay on the straight path that will lead us to our destination
Give me boiler makers and give me time
I desire both intoxicating beverages and sufficient time to enjoy them without interference
That's not so crippled and clouded by you
The moments I spend enjoying my drinks shouldn't be tainted by thoughts of you and the bad memories you bring
I disappear into the slender of your back
I'm entranced by the beauty of your figure, and I can't help but focus on it
As we near the industrial line, only 20 miles out
We're getting closer to the more business-focused parts of the region
I can't wait to get back to the safe line
I'm eager to get to a more comfortable and secure location
Where the bright lights never flicker
I crave a peaceful environment where the lights are beacons of hope and not distractions
They just blind
The brilliantly shining lights will be overwhelming, but I want them to be that way
No insurance policy or license to guard me
Nothing is there to protect me, and I'm feeling exposed
But it don't matter now cause I'm inside the city line
Now that I'm in the city, things should feel a little safer, and I'm comforted by that
But still I'm disappeared into the calmness of your voice
Despite being amidst new surroundings, I'm still captivated by your voice and its tranquility
And am held in your pale white hands
You have the power to make me feel both safe and powerless simultaneously
But soon the dim lights will grow bright and
My peaceful setting will soon be disrupted by the bright lights of the city
Drown me in them
I will be overwhelmed by the stark contrast between the bright lights and the recent preceding darkness
Contributed by Aubrey A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.