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]
Wake Your Eyes
Steel Train Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The love that we built
Called in sick 'cause I spent the night dreaming loud
The time she was ill
And I'm running so far from this guilt
And the weeks they just pass and it's easy to guess why I miss them
There are colors inside that I can not find the words for
So don't pass me by
Yeah
All my time is in rhyme 'cause I live in a dream where she can be free
I set myself to the side and I'll watch as the lives pass as I sleep
Oh it doesn't mean I can't believe
And the weeks they just pass and it's easy to guess why I miss them
There are colors inside that I can not find the words for
And the reason we're here, it has never shined clear like the water
So don't pass me by
All I see is the girl that bleeds in the dark but no one's around
Takes her time 'cause her beauty's in rhyme with her soul, flys like the dove
And no one can tell who to love
And the weeks they just pass and it's easy to guess why I miss them
There are colors inside that I can not find the words for
And the reason we're here, it has never shined clear like the water
So don't pass me by
Wake your eyes cause the world's still turning around the love that we built
Called in sick 'cause I spent the night dreaming loud the time she was ill
Wake your eyes Wake your eyes
Wake your eyes Wake your eyes. Wake your eyes Wake your eyes
Wake your eyes Wake your eyes
Wake your eyes Wake your eyes
Wake your eyes Wake your eyes
Wake your eyes Wake your eyes. Wake your eyes Wake your eyes
In Steel Train's song Wake Your Eyes, the singer is reflecting on love lost and the passing of time. The chorus urges the listener to "wake your eyes" and pay attention to the world around them, despite the pain that may come with it. The verses are filled with dreamlike imagery and introspection, as the singer grapples with guilt and regret.
The first verse seems to be describing a particular night where the singer was dreaming loudly and thinking about someone who was sick. The second verse speaks to the passing of time and the singer's struggle to articulate their feelings about the world around them. The bridge shifts to the perspective of an unnamed girl, who is bleeding in the dark and hiding her pain from the world.
Overall, the song seems to be grappling with the difficulty of living in the present moment and fully experiencing life, especially in the midst of pain or loss. The "colors inside" that the singer can't find words for suggest a rich emotional landscape that is difficult to navigate or express.
Line by Line Meaning
Wake your eyes cause the world's still turning around
Open your eyes to the fact that the world is still moving forward despite difficulties.
The love that we built
Referring to a past relationship that was meaningful and built on love.
Called in sick 'cause I spent the night dreaming loud
The singer is so lost in their own dreams that they are unable to function in reality.
The time she was ill
A specific moment in the past that is still haunting the artist.
And I'm running so far from this guilt
Trying to escape the feeling of guilt that is plaguing the artist.
And the weeks they just pass and it's easy to guess why I miss them
A reflection on how time keeps moving forward even though the singer is stuck in the past.
There are colors inside that I can not find the words for
The singer feels emotions that are too complex to describe with words.
And the reason we're here, it has never shined clear like the water
The artist is pondering the purpose of humanity and still searching for clarity.
So don't pass me by
Don't overlook me or underestimate my potential.
All my time is in rhyme 'cause I live in a dream where she can be free
The artist's mind is consumed with thoughts of a past love and they can only express themselves through art (in this case, rhyme).
I set myself to the side and I'll watch as the lives pass as I sleep
The singer is distant from reality and feels like they are just watching life pass them by.
Oh it doesn't mean I can't believe
Even though the artist is stuck in their own mind, they still have faith and hope for the future.
All I see is the girl that bleeds in the dark but no one's around
The singer is haunted by the pain of a past love and feels alone.
Takes her time 'cause her beauty's in rhyme with her soul, flys like the dove
The singer still finds beauty in this person, even though they are gone.
And no one can tell who to love
Love is a personal choice and cannot be forced or dictated by others.
Wake your eyes Wake your eyes...
Reiterating the message to wake up to reality and not get lost in dreams or the past.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JACK ANTONOFF
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind