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]
Black Eye
Steel Train Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A buildings in chrome
Well, don't take that pill and I'll take you home
Oh, I said come on and realize one day you're gonna die
Oh, break free, we'll be back before the weekday
Your dad will never know
That you took the pill and I saw the road
Oh, blow up, well, I got a miracle
And you wanna know why
You are a home and I am on fire
When the chemicals are in, I said, one day you're gonna die
Black eye, you hit, black eye, on me
I said, and I am your trampoline
I am your tra-tra-tra-trampoline
Oh, black eye, you show me in a painting
A buildings in chrome
Well, don't take that pill ?cause I'll take you home
Oh, I said come on and realize that we can never die
Black eye, you hit, black eye, on me
I said, take the pill and I'll watch you sleep
Drive all night and you let me free
I said, I'll tell you one more time you're never gonna be
I am your trampoline
The song "Black Eye" by Steel Train contains lyrics that are open to interpretation. The first verse talks about a black eye, which is shown in a painting, and a building in chrome. The singer then urges someone not to take a pill but to go home with them, and ominously says, "one day you're gonna die." In the second verse, the singer urges someone to break free, promises to get them back before the weekday so their dad won't know, and says they saw the road after taking a pill. Again, the singer predicts that "one day you're gonna die." In the third verse, there is a reference to a "miracle" and the singer being on fire, and again the lyrics conclude with the prediction that "one day you're gonna die."
One way to interpret the lyrics is that they are about drug use, possibly experimentation with pills. The reference to a black eye could be a literal reference to physical violence, or it could be a metaphor for some kind of damage that drugs can do to a person's body or soul. The repeated prediction of death could be interpreted as a warning about the dangers of drug use or as a kind of nihilistic acceptance of mortality.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, black eye, you show me in a painting
The black eye represents a moment of pain or struggle that the singer has experienced, which is depicted in a painting. The painting also shows an image of a building made of chrome, which may be symbolic of modernity or a desire for something that shines and lasts.
A buildings in chrome
The chrome building is presented as an alluring and fascinating image that captivates the singer's attention.
Well, don't take that pill and I'll take you home
The singer warns someone not to take a certain pill, as it could have negative effects. Instead, they offer to take that person home, who may be in a weakened or vulnerable state.
Oh, I said come on and realize one day you're gonna die
The artist urges someone to face the reality of their own mortality and the inevitability of death, which may be a way to appreciate the present moment.
Oh, break free, we'll be back before the weekday
The artist encourages someone to break free from their everyday routine and explore new possibilities. They offer to join them on this adventure, and promise to return before the weekday starts.
Your dad will never know
The singer implies that there may be some cultural, generational or parental restrictions that would prevent someone from pursuing their desires, but they suggest that these restrictions can be overcome or ignored.
That you took the pill and I saw the road
The singer reveals that someone has taken the pill they warned against, and that they are both now under its influence. They experience a heightened sense of freedom and adventure that is reflected in their perception of the road they are traveling on.
When the chemicals are in, I said, one day you're gonna die
The artist reflects on the impact of the chemical substances they have ingested, which might alter their mood, perception or judgment, making them feel more alive and more aware of their own mortality at the same time.
Oh, blow up, well, I got a miracle
The artist expresses a feeling of wonder and awe, as if something miraculous has happened, or as if they have discovered something truly amazing in the course of their journey.
And you wanna know why
The artist taunts or challenges someone who might be skeptical or critical of their enthusiasm, daring or vision, asking them if they really want to know why they are so excited about their situation.
You are a home and I am on fire
The singer addresses someone as if they were the source of comfort, safety and familiarity in their life, but at the same time they portray themselves as passionate, intense and burning with energy or desire.
Black eye, you hit, black eye, on me
The black eye is referred to again as a metaphor for an injury or a painful event that affected the artist. They acknowledge that the black eye might have been caused by someone else, or might be a symptom of their own actions or emotions.
I said, and I am your trampoline
The singer identifies themselves as a supportive and enabling force in someone's life, someone who can help them bounce back from setbacks or rise higher in their aspirations or abilities. The trampoline is a playful and buoyant image that suggests fun and excitement.
Oh, black eye, you show me in a painting
The last stanza repeats the first stanza, emphasizing the motif of the black eye as a recurring symbol of pain or suffering that can also be turned into art or poetry. However, the tone has changed from warning or admonition to acceptance and celebration.
Well, don't take that pill ?cause I'll take you home
This line is repeated from the second stanza, but with a different meaning. Now, the singer offers someone a choice: not to take a certain pill that might be harmful, and instead to come home with them in a symbolic or metaphysical sense. The home is a place of comfort, security and affection that is shared between the two of them.
Oh, I said come on and realize that we can never die
The last line of the song echoes the central theme of facing death and finding life in the midst of it. However, now it is presented in a different light: not as a warning or a challenge, but as an affirmation of life's endless possibilities and immortality. The 'we' might refer to a collective or universal sense of being, in which everyone shares the same fate, but also the same essence.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JACK ANTONOFF
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind