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]
Soldier in the Army
Steel Train Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Don't know what,
Don't know what, don't know
What we are doing
But I'll follow it tonight
Around here
I can feel, I can feel, I can feel
All of you dying
And it's back to Puerto Rico
And I don't want to be saved
By a soldier in the army
A soldier in the army
Or you
I'm here
With the one, with the one,
With the one I've been loving
It was cold until tonight
And it's back into the future
I held that crystal ball
Like a soldier in the army
Soldier in the army
Or you
Freedom!
(I just want to take you)
I gotta keep moving on
Bloody!
(I just want to take you)
All around the world
Sugar tongue
Don't know what,
Don't know what, don't know
What we are doing
I'm gonna follow it tonight
And it's back to Puerto Rico
And I don't want to be saved
By a soldier in the army
A soldier in the army
Or you
The lyrics to Steel Train's "Soldier in the Army" appear to be a stream of consciousness exploration of uncertainty and fear in the face of death, with a particular focus on the singer's relationship with another person. The opening lines depict a sense of confusion, with "blue wind" representing an unknown force that the singer is following despite not understanding what it represents or where it is taking them. This sense of confusion is compounded by the awareness that "all of you" (presumably referring to other people) are "dying in the strangest, strangest ways."
The singer then expresses a desire to return to Puerto Rico (it is unclear if this is a literal or metaphorical location) but asserts that they do not want to be saved by a "soldier in the army," indicating a mistrust of traditional sources of authority or protection. The repetition of this phrase throughout the song underscores this feeling of resistance to being controlled or directed by outside forces, whether they be military or interpersonal.
The lyrics continue with a description of the singer's current situation, which is more positive than the earlier verses - they are with the person they love and experiencing a sense of warmth and connection. However, this happiness is tempered by a reference to a "crystal ball," which the singer holds like a soldier in an army. This imagery suggests a longing for a sense of control or foresight over one's own destiny, while acknowledging that such certainty is ultimately unattainable.
The song concludes with the repeated refrain of "freedom" and "bloody," perhaps indicating a desire for release from the anxieties and struggles described in earlier verses. Overall, the lyrics to "Soldier in the Army" present a complex and deeply personal meditation on themes of uncertainty, agency, and love.
Line by Line Meaning
Blue wind
The ambiguity and uncertainty of the situation are giving rise to feelings of anxiety.
Don't know what, Don't know what, don't know
What we are doing
The singer and others involved in the situation are unsure of what they are doing or the purpose behind it.
But I'll follow it tonight
Despite the uncertainty, the singer is willing to follow along with the situation for the time being.
Around here
I can feel, I can feel, I can feel
All of you dying
In the strangest, strangest ways
The artist is sensing that those around him are struggling or suffering, though the ways in which this is happening are unusual or unexpected.
And it's back to Puerto Rico
And I don't want to be saved
By a soldier in the army
A soldier in the army
Or you
The artist is reflecting on past experiences and expressing a desire to move on, rather than being saved or protected by external forces.
I'm here
With the one, with the one,
With the one I've been loving
It was cold until tonight
The singer is currently with a loved one and is experiencing a shift in their emotional state, from coldness to warmth or affection.
And it's back into the future
I held that crystal ball
Like a soldier in the army
Soldier in the army
Or you
The singer is looking forward to the future, but recognizes that it is uncertain and could hold challenges or consequences. They also see themselves as taking on a role of vigilance or protection, like a soldier.
Freedom!
(I just want to take you)
I gotta keep moving on
Bloody!
(I just want to take you)
All around the world
The artist is expressing a desire for freedom and adventure, but also recognizes that this journey may be accompanied by violence or danger.
Sugar tongue
Don't know what, Don't know what, don't know
What we are doing
I'm gonna follow it tonight
The artist is encountering a persuasive or charming figure, but is unsure of their motivations or intentions. Despite this, they are willing to continue following their lead for the time being.
And it's back to Puerto Rico
And I don't want to be saved
By a soldier in the army
A soldier in the army
Or you
The artist reiterates their desire to move on from the past and not be rescued or influenced by external forces, including other people.
Contributed by Samantha J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.