A small side-project turned into a fully fledged album, the front man and drummer, Taylor Hawkins, describes it as "an accident." Hawkins is the drummer and vocalist for the trio. Other members include Chris Chaney on bass (Jane's Addiction, and also played with Taylor with Alanis Morissette) and an enigmatic "Gannin" on guitar. They 've been active since 2004.
Debut album
On March 21, 2006, the band released their debut self-titled album Taylor Hawkins and the Coattail Riders. It featured 11 songs which were recorded by the band during 2004, before Foo Fighters started recording In Your Honor. Their first official video clip was of the first song off the album, titled "Louise."
Red Light Fever
Taylor Hawkins stated in an interview with 'The Rock Radio' website regarding the next Taylor Hawkins and the Coattail Riders album, that recording and production had been completed on the follow-up album, but was yet to have decided on a title, or a release plan.
In February 2010, it was announced the album, named Red Light Fever was to be released on April 19. It features guest stars Brian May and Roger Taylor of Queen, Dave Grohl of Foo Fighters and Elliot Easton of The Cars. The album was recorded at Foo Fighters' Studio 606 in California. Tracks to appear on the album include "Way Down", "Not Bad Luck" and "Hell to Pay".
Louise
Taylor Hawkins & The Coattail Riders Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Good times never end
With bad back to bend
Close my eyes just in time
Hands that I won't shake
Bones that I can't break
It takes time to change
Fall in line, one more time
Louise, it's me
I'm a dead man walking down your street
Louise, it's me
I'm a dead man walking down your street
Climbing up your walls (I'm not your acrobat)
Diggin' in your holes (I'm not your sewer rat)
Falling down your stairs
Pull my light one more time
Louise, it's me
I'm a dead man walking down your street
Louise, it's me
I'm a dead man walking down your street
Louise, it's me
I'm a dead man walking down your street
Louise, it's me
I'm a dead man walking down your street
Louise, it's me
I'm a dead man walking down your street
Louise, it's me
I'm a dead man walking down your street
It takes time to change
The lyrics to Taylor Hawkins & The Coattail Riders' song "Louise" tell the story of a man who seems to be struggling with some inner turmoil that he is unable to escape. He starts off the song by "waking up in his head" and reminiscing about the good times that he's had. However, he seems to be weighed down by some bad memories that he can't escape. He talks about having a bad back to bend and not being able to shake certain hands or break certain bones. It's clear that he's been through a lot and that it's going to take him some time to change and move on from his past.
The chorus of the song is a recurring message to a woman named Louise, who he identifies as being on the same street as him. He refers to himself as a "dead man walking," indicating that he feels like he's just going through the motions and not really alive. It's unclear what the relationship between the two characters is, but it's clear that the singer is struggling and seeking some sort of comfort or connection with Louise.
In the second verse of the song, the singer talks about "climbing up walls" and "digging in holes," indicating that he's trying to escape from something. He mentions falling down stairs and again refers to himself as a dead man walking. The final line of the song, "it takes time to change," suggests that he knows he needs to make a change in his life, but it's not something that can happen overnight.
Overall, the lyrics of "Louise" are introspective and melancholic, painting a picture of a man who is struggling with some inner demons and seeking some sort of peace or change in his life.
Line by Line Meaning
Woke up in my head
Starting the day lost in thought
Good times never end
The good moments in life seem endless
With bad back to bend
Feeling weighed down by physical strain or stress
Close my eyes just in time
Narrowly avoiding something unpleasant or unwanted
Hands that I won't shake
Refusing to connect with certain people or situations
Bones that I can't break
Feeling unbreakable or resilient in the face of challenges
It takes time to change
Change is a slow process that requires patience and effort
Fall in line, one more time
Going along with norms or expectations, even if it feels repetitive or stagnant
Louise, it's me
I'm a dead man walking down your street
Addressing someone who has the power to harm or destroy them, feeling vulnerable and exposed
Climbing up your walls (I'm not your acrobat)
Diggin' in your holes (I'm not your sewer rat)
Falling down your stairs
Pull my light one more time
Enduring difficulties and obstacles while trying to maintain a sense of dignity and self-respect
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Reservoir Media Management, Inc.
Written by: CHRIS CHANEY, GANNIN DUANE ARNOLD, TAYLOR HAWKINS, THOMAS ANDREW HESTER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
The Deathless Dogs
This is one of those choruses that has popped into my head at random times through the years since it was released. Thank you for everything Taylor.
ELX
YES!!!! Same here
Jonathan Wareham
This chorus is absolutely epic
Amphletize
Literally why I'm here 😄
John Bis
You're so right.
Nick S
I worked on this video as a camera assistant. We got done shooting the Christmas tree set and I went back to grab something I left behind. Only person in this room was Taylor trying to rip on this toddler size drum set. He didn’t even notice me cause he was hunched over trying to do a Dale Grover style drum roll. I immediately thought two things: 1) This guy definitely has ADHD. 2) This guy’s purpose was to play the drums and music. It was a pleasure to meet you Taylor.
deejaymalta
insanely sad. I wish we all got to witness him in real life.
MajorCanada
Cute to see his wife played the fully grown "Louise". RIP Taylor.
🎮 A Game Enthusiast 🕹️
@MajorCanada I knew that was his wife in that video.
Stephanie Papaleo
Thank you for that story, it’ll be stuck in my head like this cool song, I always picture Taylor doing stuff like that, intense and unfazed at how great a talent he was. That whole vibe of the song is perfect with the “home movies/nostalgia/Christmas tree scene and it perfectly captured Taylor’s innocence and pure emotion. To hear that he went back to those drums really reinforces the dedication he had to his craft.
This sucks to not have him be such a positive force in our world. I’m sure he knows how much he’s loved by all of us fans, I hope so. 💔