Landing their first record deal with Twin/Tone in 1984, Soul Asylum recorded a total of four albums for the local label: Say What You Will... Everything Can Happen in 1984 (later reissued as Say What You Will, Clarence... Karl Sold the Truck), Made To Be Broken in 1986, While You Were Out in 1986, and the EP Clam Dip and Other Delights in 1988. The band then switched to A&M, releasing Hang Time in 1988 and And the Horse They Rode In On in 1990 under that label. Although they enjoyed some success as a live band, Soul Asylum suffered from low album sales and considered disbanding.
In 1992, they signed with Columbia Records to produce Grave Dancers Union, a record that would come to transform them from underground college rockers to international superstars. The first two singles off the album, Somebody To Shove and Black Gold, both came in at high positions at the Modern Rock and Album Rock charts, but it was the album's third track and it's video of missing teens that led them to their major breakthrough. Runaway Train peaked at #5 on the Billboard Hot 100, raised album sales to double-platinum level, and won Soul Asylum the Grammy Award for Best Rock Song in 1994.
In 1995, Soul Asylum followed up the success of Grave Dancers Union with Let Your Dim Light Shine, which climbed to #6 on the Billboard 200 and featured the #1 Modern Rock track Misery. After releasing Candy From A Stranger in 1998, the band members took a break from recording and didn't release a new studio album for the better part of seven years. During the interim singer Dave Pirner released a solo album and Dan Murphy toured and recorded with Golden Smog.
They reunited in 2004 to record their ninth full-length album, The Silver Lining, brought together by the news of Mueller being diagnosed with throat cancer. Up until this point, Soul Asylum had always included Murphy, Mueller, and Pirner, despite several line-up changes. This changed on June 17th, 2005, when Mueller passed away after finishing his work on several tracks on the new album. The Silver Lining was released in 2006 and dedicated to Karl Mueller's life and memory, with Murphy expressing that, "For me, this record is Karl."
In late 2005, ex-Replacements bassist (and current Guns N' Roses bassist) Tommy Stinson and former Prince drummer Michael Bland joined Soul Asylum in tribute to the late Karl Mueller. They completed their American tour in support of The Silver Lining in late 2006. In November and December 2006 they opened for Cheap Trick on their American tour. On March 10th, 2007, Soul Asylum joined Cyndi Lauper, Mint Condition, and Lifehouse to hold a concert to benefit Wain McFarlane, the leader of the legendary reggae band Ipso Facto, to help pay for the expenses of a kidney transplant.
http://www.soulasylum.com
Black Gold
Soul Asylum Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Tryin' to push each other down
See the crowd gather 'round
Nothing attracts a crowd like a crowd
Black gold in a white plight
Won't you fill up the tank, let's go for a ride
I don't care 'bout no wheelchair
Moving backwards through time
Never learn, never mind
That side's yours, this side's mine
Brother you ain't my kind
You're a black soldier, white fight
Won't you fill up the tank, let's go for a ride
Sure like to feel some pride
But this place just makes me feel sad inside
Mother, do you know where your kids are tonight?
Keeps the kids off the streets
Gives 'em something to do, something to eat
This spot was a playground
This flat land used to be a town
Black gold in a white plight
Won't you fill up the tank, let's go for a ride
Sure like to feel some pride
But this place just makes me feel sad inside
Black gold in a white plight
Won't you fill up the tank, let's go for a ride
I don't care 'bout no wheelchair
I've got so much left to do with my life
The song Black Gold is a commentary on America's oil industry and its devastating impact on small towns and communities. The first few lines describe two children fighting on a playground, which quickly attracts a crowd. The lyrics then segue into an exploration of the oil industry's impact on people's lives, from pollution and environmental degradation to economic exploitation and the displacement of communities.
The phrase "black gold" refers to oil, a resource that has been both a boon and a bane to many communities. The line "black gold in a white plight" suggests that the oil industry profits at the expense of poor or working-class communities, who are often forced to accept environmental degradation and other negative impacts in exchange for low-paying jobs.
The chorus of the song, which repeats twice, focuses on the idea of a car ride. The singer seems to be advocating for using this precious commodity – black gold – to fuel something that brings joy and meaning to life, rather than simply using it to maintain the status quo.
Overall, Soul Asylum's Black Gold is a poignant commentary on the ways that America's dependence on fossil fuels has damaged both the environment and the social fabric of many communities.
Line by Line Meaning
Two boys on a playground
Two boys are on the playground and trying to push each other down.
See the crowd gather 'round
People are attracted to watch the boys fighting and they gather around.
Nothing attracts a crowd like a crowd
The more people gather, the more people are attracted to watch the fight.
Black gold in a white plight
Refers to the oil industry, how it is successful and wealthy compared to other industries, especially considering the racial inequality that existed at the time.
Won't you fill up the tank, let's go for a ride
A suggestion to use the money earned from the oil industry to enjoy life, without worrying about other people's problems.
I don't care 'bout no wheelchair
The singer is not concerned with the physical disabilities of others and is instead focused on their own aspirations.
I've got so much left to do with my life
The singer has many plans and goals they want to achieve in life.
Moving backwards through time
Reflecting on past events and how progress has not been made despite the technological advancements over the years.
Never learn, never mind
People refuse to understand the mistakes of history and prefer to ignore them.
That side's yours, this side's mine
An argument between two opposing sides, with no room for compromise or understanding.
Brother you ain't my kind
The fight is about more than just playground antics, it represents a larger societal divide.
You're a black soldier, white fight
This line is about racial inequality and how people of color were fighting in wars for justice but not receiving the same rights and opportunities.
Sure like to feel some pride
A desire for pride and self-respect, despite the struggles and inequality.
But this place just makes me feel sad inside
Despite the desire for positivity and pride, the singer cannot help but feel upset by the state of the world and their surroundings.
Mother, do you know where your kids are tonight?
An urgent question to parents about the safety and whereabouts of their children in a world that can be dangerous and full of violence.
Keeps the kids off the streets
A playground is a safe space for children to play and be active, keeping them away from unhealthy activities on the streets.
Gives 'em something to do, something to eat
A playground can provide children with food and activities to keep them occupied and fed.
This spot was a playground
A reminder that even small, simple things like playgrounds can hold a lot of memories and emotions.
This flat land used to be a town
Reflecting on past memories of a town that is no longer there, replaced by a flat, empty space.
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DAVID PIRNER, DAVID ANTHONY PIRNER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jillian Lowry
Two boys on a playground
Tryin' to push each other down
See the crowd gather 'round
Nothing attracts a crowd like a crowd
Black gold in a white plight
Won't you fill up the tank, let's go for a ride
I don't care 'bout no wheelchair
I've got so much left to do with my life
Moving backwards through time
Never learn, never mind
That side's yours, this side's mine
Brother you ain't my kind
You're a black soldier, white fight
Won't you fill up the tank, let's go for a ride
Sure like to feel some pride
But this place just makes me feel sad inside
Mother, do you know where your kids are tonight?
Keeps the kids off the streets
Gives 'em something to do, something to eat
This spot was a playground
This flat land used to be a town
Black gold in a white plight
Won't you fill up the tank, let's go for a ride
Sure like to feel some pride
But this place just makes me feel sad inside
Black gold in a white plight
Won't you fill up the tank, let's go for a ride
I don't care 'bout no wheelchair
I've got so much left to do with my life
Bradley Kukulis
2 years ago i found myself in a wheelchair. This song really helped me to realize that life was not over for me.
liljazzmom
Yes. 💋
Katherine Pease
@Justin Copple lp
Troy Cortez
@Justin Copple o
Geoff
Inspired....
Angela Mcconaghy (Angie)
@brady jetto a1
Samaire October
I used to see Dan and Dave a ton when I lived in Madison, Wi. They used to just randomly show up and play in the student union. I remember they were very down to earth and humble. This was the late 80's before they really became famous. They always were very surprised when the audience loved songs like this. Run Away Train and this song, they were tweaking way before it was released so the student union ( and I'm assuming others), was really a testing ground for songs like this. It was a difficult time in my life but I knew almost every weekend I could see Dan and Dave (for free btw), so that really pulled me through.
beefarlee
Best student union in the country!
Mike Stevens
Asylum is the kind of band that many don’t appreciate til years later. They are a well rounded group of musicians. They keep it simple but very profound in many ways.
Max Weaver
Dave Pirner, deserves to be in the rock and roll hall of fame. He wrote some great, timeless music.