Several of Streetlight's members were already well known among the New Jersey ska community for their roles in past ska bands from that area, most notably Catch 22's Tomas Kalnoky, James Egan, Mike Soprano, and Josh Ansley, as well as One Cool Guy's Stuart Karmatz, Pete Sibilia, Dan Ross, and Chris Paszik.
The band's first album, Everything Goes Numb, was released on August 26, 2003, and was distributed by Victory Records. They headlined their first ever show at Rutgers University on December 9, 2003 in front of a sold out audience.
The line-up has gone through several changes since the band's conception and currently consists of Matt Stewart on trumpet, Mike Brown on alto and baritone saxophone, Jim Conti on alto and tenor saxophone, Tomas Kalnoky on guitar and lead vocals, Pete McCullaugh on bass guitar, Karl Lyden on trombone, and Chris Thatcher on drums.
Though the band has enjoyed little mainstream commercial success, they have received acclaim in alternative music circles, and their debut album is currently in Interpunk.com's top 100 items, over 2 years after its release. In addition, they regularly sell out their live shows, and their first few shows at Rutgers and The Stone Pony not only sold out, but had people coming from as far as Minnesota and Canada. Their second album, a reworking of Catch 22's Keasbey Nights was released on March 7, 2006.
Streetlight Manifesto's third album, entitled Somewhere in the Between came out on November 13, 2007. Rumors also have it that the band is currently working on a series of 8 albums entitled "The 99 Songs of Revolution" in co-operation with Bandits of the Acoustic Revolution, a side-project of singer Tomas Kalnoky slated for release in early 2009.
On November 17, 2009, the band's website announced that "99 Songs of Revolution: Volume One" has been ready for release for quite some time but "some record labels are just plain horrendous." They are also in the process of arranging a tour for 2010 but will spend some time in the studio until they have "a few records to release."
The first album of 99 Songs of Revolution was released on March 16, 2010. On this CD, the band covered songs by artists such as The Postal Service, Radiohead, and NOFX.
Band Members:
Mike Brown - Baritone Sax
Karl Lyden - Trombone
Jim Conti - Tenor Sax
Matt Stewart - Trumpet
Chris Thatcher - Drums
Tomas Kalnoky - Guitar, Vocals
Pete McCullaugh - Bass
www.streetlightmanifesto.com
One Foot On The Gas%2C One Foot In The Grave
Streetlight Manifesto Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And it's also in the water.
It's something you can't see
You've been warned of by you mothers
You've had enough to see
You know enough to see
Join the others
When you could hardly breath
You were wondering why you bothered
And they gave us
Seven days
To renounce our wicked ways
To late to make amends
Cause we both know how this ends!
So!
Do the right thing!
Do nothing!
WOAHH!
[What will you do when they come for you?]
Just do what's easiest
[What will you do when they come for you?]
I think it's what I read, but I swore he said to me
Nine times out of ten you lied to me!
And now after all the conversation
No one will save you now!
We want it!
They got it!
They claim we'll die without it!
But something tells me they are Wrong!
So! What will you do when they call your name and you're
Not ready to go!?
Everyone will stare at you and tell you what you know!
That you're in too deep and you can quite keep your secrets one and all
We might just make it after all
On our own
We might just make it after all
But we had
One foot on the gas, and one foot in the grave
Everyone was laughing when we said we had it made
Everyone was laughing when we said we had it made
They gave us seven days
To renounce our wicked ways
Too late to make amends
Cause we both know how this ends!
Started with six or seven moved on to eight on nine
[What will you do when they come for you?]
Nobody seemed to notice
Nobody seemed to mind
[What will you do when they come for you?]
Little miss dismiss lament the radio
I cannot believe you when you tell me what you know-oh-oh-oh
And nothing will be broken if you house was made of stone
But you know, as I do, it will never be a home
We want it!
They got it!
They claim we'll die with out it!
But something tells me they are wrong!
So! What will you do when they call your name and you're
Not ready to go!?
Everyone will stare at you and tell you what you know!
That you're in too deep and you can quite keep your secrets one and all
We might just make it after all
On our own
We might just make it after all
But we had
One foot on the gas, and one foot in the grave
Everyone was laughing when we said we had it made
Everyone was laughing when we said we had it made
It's in the air you breath
And it's also in the water.
It's something you can't see
You've been warned of by you mothers
You've had enough to see
You know enough to see
Join the others
When you could hardly breath
You were wondering why you bothered
Too late to make amends
Cause we both know how this ends!
You know enough to see
Join the others
When you could hardly breath
You were wondering why you bothered
And they gave us
Seven days
To renounce our wicked ways
To lit to make amends
Cause we both know how this ends!
So!
Do the right thing!
Do nothing!
WOAHH!
[What will you do when they come for you?]
Just do what's easiest
[What will you do when they come for you?]
Nine times out of ten you lied to me!
No one will save you now!
We want it!
They got it!
They claim we'll die without it!
But something tells me they are Wrong!
So! What will you do when they call your name and you're
Not ready to go!?
Where everyone will stare at you and tell you what you know!
That you're in too deep and you can quite keep your secrets one and all
We might just make it after all
On our own
We might just make it after all
But we had
One foot on the gas, and one foot in the grave
Everyone was laughing when we said we had it made
Everyone was laughing when we said we had it made
They gave us seven days
To renounce our wicked ways
Too late to make amends
Cause we both know how this ends!
Started with six or seven moved on to eight on nine
[What will you do when they come for you?]
Nobody seemed to notice
Nobody seemed to mind
[What will you do when they come for you?]
Little miss, dismiss, can't miss, life
Tune in the radio
I cannot believe you when you tell me what you know-oh-oh-oh
And nothing will be broken if you house was made of stone
But you know, as I do, it will never be a home
We want it!
They got it!
They claim we'll die with out it!
But something tells me they are wrong!
So! What will you do when they call your name and you're
Not ready to go!?
Where everyone will stare at you and tell you what you know!
That you're in too deep and you can quite keep your secrets one and all
We might just make it after all,
On our own
We might just make it after all
But we had
One foot on the gas, and one foot in the grave
Everyone was laughing when we said we had it made
Everyone was laughing when we said
We had it made.
It's in the air you breath
And it's also in the water.
It's something you can't see
You've been warned of by you mothers
You've had enough to see
You know enough to see
Join the others
When you could hardly breath
You were wondering why you bothered
Too late to make amends
'cause we both know how this ends!
So! What will you do when they call your name and you're
Not ready to go!?
Where everyone will stare at you and tell you what you know!
That you're in too deep and you can quite keep your secrets one and all
We might just make it after all,
On our own
We might just make it after all
But we had
One foot on the gas, and one foot in the grave
Everyone was laughing when we said we had it made
Everyone was laughing when we said
We
Had
It
Made.
The lyrics of Streetlight Manifesto's "One Foot On The Gas One Foot In The Grave" seem to deal with societal pressures and the difficult decisions one has to make in order to navigate the modern world. The song starts by describing something that is omnipresent and ominous, something that has been warned about by mothers and is invisible to the naked eye. It's something that people have seen enough of to be aware of its dangers, but also something that they cannot escape. Next, the song references a call to action, a seven-day ultimatum to renounce one's wicked ways. The song warns that it's too late to make amends because both sides know how it will end.
The middle section of the song seems to be an inner monologue of the singer, weighing different options and wrestling with the costs and benefits of doing the right thing versus doing nothing. The song suggests that it may be better just to do what's easiest, even if that means lying to oneself and others. The song also contains a repeated call and response motif of "What will you do when they come for you?" which highlights the pressure to conform and act in a particular way. The song finishes with a message of hope, that we may just make it after all, but that it's important to remember that we have "One foot on the gas, and one foot in the grave," a delicate balance that could tip either way.
Overall, "One Foot On The Gas One Foot In The Grave" seems to be about the difficulties of modern life, the tough choices people must make, and the pressure to conform to societal norms. The song is a commentary on the weight of the world on people's shoulders, but it also suggests that we can make it through if we take things one step at a time and are true to ourselves.
Line by Line Meaning
It's in the air you breath
The thing that's causing harm is everywhere and unavoidable.
And it's also in the water.
It's even in things that we need to survive and consume.
It's something you can't see
This dangerous thing is invisible to the naked eye.
You've been warned of by you mothers
Your loved ones have cautioned you about this hazard.
You've had enough to see
You've seen the negative effects of this thing enough times to know better.
You know enough to see
You have the knowledge and experience to recognize the problem.
Join the others
Come together with those who have also identified the issue.
When you could hardly breath
During moments of struggling and desperation.
You were wondering why you bothered
You questioned your actions, wondering if they were worth it.
And they gave us
An outside force put limitations on us.
Seven days
A limited amount of time to take action.
To renounce our wicked ways
To turn away from negative habits or behaviors.
To late to make amends
Not enough time to fix past mistakes and regrets.
Cause we both know how this ends!
Despite awareness of the negative outcome, change did not occur.
So!
Transition to a new topic or command.
Do the right thing!
Take the correct course of action.
Do nothing!
Choosing not to take action can sometimes be the right move.
WOAHH!
A moment of heightened emotion and intensity.
[What will you do when they come for you?]
Asking the listener to consider their reaction in a hypothetical scenario.
Just do what's easiest
Opting for the path of least resistance or difficulty.
I think it's what I read, but I swore he said to me
Uncertainty about the reliability and truth of information received.
Nine times out of ten you lied to me!
Lies and deception from a supposed trustworthy source.
And now after all the conversation
Despite lengthy talks and discussions.
No one will save you now!
Feeling helpless and abandoned to face the consequences alone.
We want it!
Desire for something, despite the risks or dangers involved.
They got it!
Belief that someone else has what is needed or wanted.
They claim we'll die without it!
Being told that this thing is essential for survival, despite evidence to the contrary.
But something tells me they are Wrong!
A gut feeling that the common perspective is incorrect.
So! What will you do when they call your name and you're
Returning to a previous topic with a hypothetical question.
Not ready to go!
Unprepared for the situation at hand.
Everyone will stare at you and tell you what you know!
Others will judge and criticize in times of crisis.
That you're in too deep and you can quite keep your secrets one and all
Being exposed as having weaknesses and flaws.
We might just make it after all
There is still hope for success.
On our own
Without external help or support.
But we had
Although we faced challenges and obstacles.
One foot on the gas, and one foot in the grave
Being in a dangerous or precarious situation, with potential for disaster.
Everyone was laughing when we said we had it made
Others doubted and dismissed our optimistic claims.
Started with six or seven moved on to eight on nine
Evolution and progression, despite slow or gradual change.
Nobody seemed to notice
Lack of recognition or attention to the evolving situation.
Nobody seemed to mind
Others not caring or disregarding the escalated danger.
Little miss dismiss lament the radio
Indifference and distraction to the serious issue at hand.
I cannot believe you when you tell me what you know-oh-oh-oh
Distrust and skepticism towards others and their claims.
And nothing will be broken if you house was made of stone
Physical strength and durability does not ensure safety or security.
But you know, as I do, it will never be a home
Being aware of and acknowledging a sense of instability or impermanence.
They claim we'll die with out it!
Returning to the common notion that this thing is necessary for survival.
But something tells me they are wrong!
Repeating the gut feeling that this belief is inaccurate.
To lit to make amends
Showing regret and frustration at not being able to fix past mistakes.
Where everyone will stare at you and tell you what you know!
Revisiting the theme that others judge in times of struggle and hardship.
Little miss, dismiss, can't miss, life
A sarcastic reference to the importance of appreciating and acknowledging the value of life.
Tune in the radio
Indicating a desire to distract from harsh realities with media and entertainment.
We might just make it after all,
Returning to the hope that success is still possible.
Everyone was laughing when we said
A reminiscence of others doubting and dismissing past optimism.
We had it made
A past belief that everything was secure and ideal.
'cause we both know how this ends!
Reiterating the inevitability of negative consequences and outcomes, despite awareness and knowledge.
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind