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]
Turnpike Ghost
Steel Train Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
With the stars in my eyes
And the blood from the heart of a pen
With my hood pulled up
In the light of the night
I was smoke in the bed
Like a ghost white light
On the turnpike
You didn't lift my world off me
But you said to let it go
So I did, now I see
That my friends are gonna leave me
If they don't believe that they can save me
You don't have to live like that
You don't have to live like that
Like a bolt of lightning
Your stoplight moves on
And you wake up crying
What's going on
What's going on
I'm waking up tired
No god has appeared
I never ever really
Felt real faith in your fear
You don't have to live like that
You don't have to live like that
I'm so sorry for the things I said
For the light of me died
When a part of her did
Like a dream, it's a fear
And it won't carry out
I'm living easy
Nightmare plant a seed
In the garden of doubt
You didn't lift my world off me
But you said to let it go
So I did, now I see
That my friends are gonna leave me
If they don't believe that they can save me
You don't have to live like that
You don't have to live like that
Like a bolt of lightning
Your stoplight moves on
And you wake up crying
What's going on
What's going on
I'm waking up tired
No god has appeared
And I never ever really
Felt real faith in your fear
Let me wash it away
Let me wash it away
You never ever really
Felt real faith in your fear
You don't have to live like that
You don't have to live like that
You don't have to live like that
You don't have to live like that
The lyrics of Steel Train's Turnpike Ghost are vivid and loaded with metaphors. They touch on themes of nostalgia, self-doubt, and the search for identity. The song opens with the singer expressing a desire to recapture the sense of wonder and possibility he felt in the past. He longs to be free of inhibitions and express himself honestly, symbolized by "the blood from the heart of a pen." However, this longing is complicated by the awareness that things have changed, and he can't go back to that time.
The chorus of the song is a plea to a friend or lover not to abandon him, even if they can't fully understand or help him. He feels lost and alone, but he acknowledges that he has to let go of his pain and move on. However, the fear of being left behind is very real, and he repeats the phrase "You don't have to live like that" as a reassurance to himself and others.
The second verse shifts to a more introspective tone, as the singer reflects on his lack of faith and the feeling of being adrift without guidance. He acknowledges the pain caused to someone he cares about, but he's not sure how to make it right. The bridge of the song returns to the images of fear and uncertainty, as the night becomes a source of terror and doubt. However, the repetition of "You don't have to live like that" becomes a mantra that offers some hope.
Overall, Turnpike Ghost is a poignant and introspective song that captures the struggle to find meaning and purpose amid the chaos of life. It's a reminder that it's okay to feel lost or afraid, but that we have the power to choose how we respond to those emotions.
Line by Line Meaning
I want to live like I did back then
I desire to live without any adult responsibilities and obligations.
With the stars in my eyes
With the excitement and anticipation of adolescence.
And the blood from the heart of a pen
With the passion flowing from the pen through the written words.
With my hood pulled up
With my hoodie covering my head.
In the light of the night
In the gleams of the night skies.
I was smoke in the bed
I was like a ghost in my bed.
Like a ghost white light
Like a faint and washed out white light of a ghost.
On the turnpike
On the high-speed roadway, moving too fast for the things to remain alive.
You didn't lift my world off me
You didn't solve my problems or improve my situation.
But you said to let it go
But you encouraged me to forget and move on.
So I did, now I see
Following your advice, I let go of the past and understood your wisdom.
That my friends are gonna leave me
My friends might walk away and lose faith in me.
If they don't believe that they can save me
If they lose the notion that they can help me with my problems, they might abandon me.
You don't have to live like that
You do not have to tolerate your current condition or restrictions.
Like a bolt of lightning
Like a sudden realization or discovery.
Your stoplight moves on
Your life continues, and you need to move on with it.
And you wake up crying
You might wake up in despair, struggling to cope with the present reality.
What's going on
What is happening to me?
I'm waking up tired
I'm starting each day exhausted and drained.
No god has appeared
I have not seen any divine intervention or solution to my problems.
I never ever really
I have never truly had.
Felt real faith in your fear
I have never believed in your warnings or fears.
I'm so sorry for the things I said
I regret my previous words and actions.
For the light of me died
For my inner passion, hope, and optimism that have vanished.
When a part of her did
When she lost a part of herself.
Like a dream, it's a fear
Like a terrifying dream that haunts and scares me.
And it won't carry out
And it might not become a reality.
I'm living easy
I'm living carelessly without my eyes open to the surrounding complexity of life.
Nightmare plant a seed
A nightmare breeds a terrible scenario in my head.
In the garden of doubt
In a place of indecision, uncertainty, and confusion.
Let me wash it away
Let me cleanse myself of past mistakes and negative emotions.
You never ever really
You have never truly had.
Felt real faith in your fear
You have never believed in your warnings or fears.
You don't have to live like that
You do not have to endure the pain, stress, or boredom of this existence.
You don't have to live like that
You do not have to tolerate your current condition or restrictions.
You don't have to live like that
You do not have to bear the burden of your past mistakes or circumstances.
You don't have to live like that
You have the power and the right to change.
Contributed by Reagan W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
River Rooks
One of the most underrated bands to date
Rickelle Williams
Man.
RonaldReaganRocks1
Kier O'Donnell and Jake Johnson! Both awesome actors!
GreenBastard100
Al Scalzos a real piece of work
Gabriela M
Why haven't I ever heard of this band?!
Brendan Denova
awsome song dude
Skye Villegas
those kids are so cute!
TENTACLE_Pa
Hey Iām just now looking back on this and the kid with the Afro is apparently me
Nate Peterson
Nick Miller š
Jack Longo
Dude from "Safety Not Guaranteed"?!