In late 2008, the three-piece added a fourth member and began writing for a full-length. The band and songs had evolved and taken on a new life to a point where a name-change seemed necessary. They decided on Spanish Gamble as their new chosen name and drew a line between their past and the future. Their influences are eclectic, yet their sound is cohesive. While the members are not all Gainesville natives, they fit in nicely with the scene of gruff and catchy music found in the southern punk mecca.
However, it is not to say that they are just another punk band from Gainesville. They have spent a considerable amount of time demoing new songs for their upcoming record with Roger from Less Than Jake and will be venturing out to Oakland, CA to record with Ryan Massey of American Steel in his Sharkbite Studios. The album is to be called “It’s All Coming Down” and much of the lyrical content has to do with finding a sense of purpose in the world. This time around the songs are tighter and more collaborative.
One might be hard-pressed to recognize these young men as the same Dirty Money that slept on your floor just a couple of short years ago. Well they’re not. They are Spanish Gamble, and they’re focused, they’re tight, and these new songs will surely blow you away. The bands ability to at once be catchy and stray away from formulas has created a dynamic combination of excellent sonic qualities. Expect the band to be on the road relentlessly once the album is released and get ready to sing along.
Don't Tell Me How To Drive
Spanish Gamble Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And I never heard anybody laughing but yourself
I don't know what it is you have
That I just don't seem to possess
But I can tell you I don't want
One god damn piece of it
You're bringing us all down
You're bringing us all down
And there's nothing left for you to say to me
Is it so hard to picture us seeing eye to eye?
Maybe one day it won't make a difference
You may be looking down at me
But I'm not looking up at you
I'm looking straight through you
And past all of this
You're bringing us all down
And I'm tired of being caught up in this game
You're bringing us all down
And there's nothing left for me to say to you
You're bringing yourself down
(Bringing yourself down)
Your bringing us all down
You're bringing yourself down
(Bringing us all down)
Bringing us all down
The song "Don't Tell Me How To Drive" by Spanish Gamble talks about an individual who is being pressured by someone else to conform to their way of thinking and behaving. The first verse illustrates how this pressure has become tiresome and irritating to the singer. He expresses that he doesn't possess the same qualities as the other person and doesn't want them. He adds that he has never heard anyone laughing at the situation.
In the second verse, the singer describes how this individual's behavior affects everyone around them. He states that we are all one and the same, and there's no need to bring one person down to make oneself feel better. The singer suggests that the two of them should aim for mutual understanding and stop the pressure caused by their differences. However, the singer reveals that he looks past this behavior and probably won't make a difference.
The chorus highlights how the individual's behavior brought everyone down and caught them up in a game. The singer asserts that he is tired of the games and will no longer take it.
In essence, the song encourages people to accept others as they are and not bring them down to feel better about themselves. It highlights the need for mutual respect and understanding in society.
Line by Line Meaning
This joke's getting old
I am tired of hearing you constantly criticize and belittle me.
And I never heard anybody laughing but yourself
Your constant insults are not humorous to anyone other than yourself.
I don't know what it is you have That I just don't seem to possess
I cannot understand what you believe makes you superior to me.
But I can tell you I don't want One god damn piece of it
I have no desire to be like you in any way.
You're bringing us all down Can't you see we are all one and the same?
Your negativity and arrogance is affecting not only me, but everyone around us equally.
And there's nothing left for you to say to me
I do not wish to hear anything else from you as it will not change my perspective.
Is it so hard to picture us seeing eye to eye?
Why is it difficult for us to come to a mutual understanding?
Maybe one day it won't make a difference
Perhaps someday it will no longer matter that we have differences and we can coexist peacefully.
You may be looking down at me But I'm not looking up at you I'm looking straight through you And past all of this
You may believe you are superior to me, but I am looking beyond your superficial attitude and behavior.
And I'm tired of being caught up in this game
I am exhausted from constantly dealing with this negative behavior.
You're bringing yourself down
Your negative behavior is ultimately causing harm to your own well-being.
(Bringing yourself down) Your bringing us all down
Your actions are not only affecting yourself, but also everyone around you.
Bringing us all down
Your negative behavior is affecting the entire group.
Contributed by Lincoln V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.