The band began when two friends, Jack Antonoff and Scott Irby-Ranniar, sharing a common love of music, began playing together. They busked in subways and alleyways in New York, and in 1999/2000 recorded a demo that garnered a large degree of record label interest. Despite the array of offers, the guys, now called Steel Train (after lyric in a Sublime song) eventually chose to sign with Drive Thru Records particularly drawn by the support but also artistic freedom the label offered.
In 2002, the band recorded their debut ep entitled 'For You My Dear,' recruiting Evan Winiker (formerly of NJ emo band Random Task) and Matthias Gruber to help with recording and touring. The two later became full members of the band, first Winiker (who was presented as a full member in the promotional pieces for that same ep, released in January 2003) and later Gruber, who joined with second guitarist Matthew Goldman to complete the band and create Steel Train.
Together the band went on to record the '1969' ep (a CD of cover versions of songs from that year that inspired the band and their sound), and their debut album 'Twilight Tales From The Prairies Of The Sun,' dropped a year later in 2005. In December of 2006 the band announced that they would be departing ways with Matthias Gruber (drums) and Matt Goldman (guitar) who chose to pursue other interests. The positions were filled by tour manager Daniel Silbert on guitar and Jon Shiffman on drums.
In 2009, the band left the Drive Thru label and in June of 2010 independently released their eponymously-titled third LP. Included in that release was a companion album, 'Terrible Thrills: Vol. I', consisting of covers and re-imaginings of each 'Steel Train' track by female artists, including Scarlett Johansson, Tegan and Sara, Holly Miranda, Alia Shawkat, Amanda Palmer, and Jack's sister Rachel Antonoff.
The band often polarizes opinions, mainly based around the fact that the style of rock they play is more 'classic' (Jack often jokes the band was "30 years too late"), yet people see them as very much a part of the emo/pop-punk scene (mainly due to their Drive Thru Records connections). They are well noted for their impressive live shows and 'jamming' ability.
The lead singer, Jack, also used to date Scarlett Johansson and the song Better Love off of Twilight Tales from the Prairies of the Sun is about/makes reference to her [1] [2]. Though Better Love is a song strictly about her, he also references her in "2 O'clock'" and "Dig". "Josie smiles and laughs, while me and Scarlett will smoke our hash." [3]and "oh, my scarlet you had a real friend in me."Lyrics
[edit] Current Members
* Jack Antonoff - Vocals, Guitar, Piano
* Evan Winiker - Bass, Backing Vocals
* Daniel Silbert - Guitar, Backing Vocals
* Jon Shiffman - Drums, Percussion
* Justin Huey - Keys
[edit] Past Members
* Matthias Gruber - Drums, Percussion
* Matthew Goldman - Guitar, Backing Vocals
* Scott Irby-Ranniar - Vocals, Percussion
[edit]
Alone On The Sea
Steel Train Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Empty cabinets and bed
Well, if there's love in this house again
Let the light shine through the windows and onto my head
Now I stay in the city
Walk the street, search for something
Oh, something calls and it?s leaving
And all I did see
The buildings they burn so bright
Yes, all I did see
The buildings they burn so bright
Feel sorry for everything
I'll watch the homeless woman sleep
Just like the dimes that I gave her
I am scattered and I will roll away
I dream of the other side
Coming home to see your mother
Best friends who mean all the world
But can't understand the ground that I walk on, and I walk on
And all I did see
The buildings they burn so bright
Yes, all I did see
The buildings they burn so bright
Oh, all I did see
The buildings they burn so bright
And all I did see
Is the buildings they burn so bright
Some cry for the tower, I'll cry for the other
Who wait here in a jail cell lonely like a sailor on the sea
Alone on the sea, alone on the sea
Oh, I am lonely like a sailor on the sea
Alone on the sea, alone on the sea
Well, I am lonely like a sailor alone on the sea
Alone on the sea, alone on the sea
Alone on the sea, alone on the sea
Alone on the sea, alone on the sea
Oh, I am lonely like a sailor
And all I did see
The buildings they burn so bright
Yes, all I did see
The buildings they burn so bright
Oh, all I did see
The buildings they burn so bright
And all I did see
Is buildings they burn so bright
"Alone on the Sea" by Steel Train is a song about feeling disconnected from the world and longing for a sense of home and belonging. The singer has been away from home for a month and returns to find an empty and loveless environment. He then expresses a desire to stay in the city and search for something, although he is not entirely sure what it is. He dreams of a girl who is not really there and sees the world around him as burning buildings. He feels scattered and disconnected and watches a homeless woman sleep, perhaps recognizing a shared sense of isolation.
Throughout the song, the singer longs for a sense of connection and belonging. He dreams of coming home to see his mother and best friends, but he feels they cannot understand his experiences and the ground he walks on. He ends the song with a parallel between himself and a sailor alone on the sea, emphasizing his sense of isolation and longing. The song captures a feeling of loneliness and alienation that many people can relate to, while also highlighting a longing for connection and an ultimately hopeful sentiment.
Line by Line Meaning
Coming home from a month away
Returning home after being away for a month
Empty cabinets and bed
Finding an empty house with no food or furniture
Well, if there's love in this house again
Hoping to find love and happiness back at home
Let the light shine through the windows and onto my head
Wanting the warmth and light of home to fill the house
Now I stay in the city
Living in the city after leaving home
Walk the street, search for something
Wandering the streets looking for meaning or purpose
Oh, something calls and it's leaving
Feeling pulled by a fleeting opportunity
I am dreaming of a girl, oh, she is not really there
Fantasizing about a person who doesn't exist in reality
And all I did see
Reflecting on what has been witnessed
The buildings they burn so bright
Seeing the illuminated city skyline
Feel sorry for everything
Regretful of past actions or events
I'll watch the homeless woman sleep
Observing the suffering of others
Just like the dimes that I gave her
Aware of the small impact of charitable action
I am scattered and I will roll away
Feeling unfocused and directionless
I dream of the other side
Longing for a different life or experience
Coming home to see your mother
Thinking of family and loved ones back home
Best friends who mean all the world
Valuing close friendships
But can't understand the ground that I walk on, and I walk on
Feeling misunderstood by loved ones
Some cry for the tower, I'll cry for the other
Empathizing with those who suffer in less visible ways
Who wait here in a jail cell lonely like a sailor on the sea
Recognizing the loneliness and isolation of those imprisoned
Alone on the sea, alone on the sea
Feeling isolated and adrift
Oh, I am lonely like a sailor on the sea
Comparing oneself to a lonely sailor
And all I did see
Reflecting on what has been witnessed
The buildings they burn so bright
Seeing the illuminated city skyline
Oh, all I did see
Reflecting on what has been witnessed
The buildings they burn so bright
Seeing the illuminated city skyline
And all I did see
Reflecting on what has been witnessed
Is the buildings they burn so bright
Being stuck on the bright city lights instead of life's true meaning
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JACK ANTONOFF
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind