Dave Alvin, the group's primary songwriter, left the band in 1986 for a critically-acclaimed solo career. He was initially replaced on guitar by Hollywood Fats (birth name: Michael L. Mann) who appeared with them at Farm Aid. Phil Alvin has led various incarnations of The Blasters intermittently since then, including a few reunion tours and live albums of the original lineup. Personnel as of 2008 was Phil Alvin together with John Bazz, Keith Wyatt, and Bill Bateman.
The Blasters stink of rockabilly. A unique part of the Los Angeles punk scene of the 1980s, they project the essence of small streets of post-war neighborhoods, car culture and the sun-bleached concrete of Downey, California. They are lead by Phil Alvin's soulful bellowing about causing chaos, chasing women and the loss of the citrus groves. Influenced by the likes of The Rolling Stones, Elvis Presley, Buddy Holly, and many others who came and went during the 1950's, The Blasters play the songs of the working man's curse and rock and roll romance. Founding members Phil Alvin and John Bazz, with the addition of Keith Wyatt on lead guitar and Jerry Angel on drums, are carrying on their hard-won legacy of one of the most credible and recognizable bands in Americana music.
The Blasters first started playing in the late 70's, hammering out burning rhythm & blues and roots-influenced rock and roll in biker bars in their hometown of Downey, California. It wasn't long before word about the band's searing live sets spread to Los Angeles, and the band carved out a name for itself in the city's burgeoning club scene. Along with X and Los Lobos, the Blasters became an LA favorite. They enjoyed a punk rock following to their bluesy straightforward rock, playing to the fans of the newfangled American punk rock movement that was just at its beginning. Their debut recording on the small but feisty Rollin' Rock label has since become a coveted collector's item.
Soon thereafter, they began attracting the attention of other record companies. The band was on the crest of the wave during the resurgence of American roots rock, a genre they helped define with their debut album "American Music." Many have tried to imitate The Blasters' sound but no one has been able to harness the passion and perseverance with which they play. With a tradition of producing timeless and meaningful songs, touring extensively, and collaborating with some of the most respected roots rock artists, like John Cougar Mellencamp and Lee Allen.
The Blasters have continually stayed true to their original vision: to play songs built on America's greatest musical traditions. Upon Dave Alvin's departure to pursue a solo career in August of 1986, the band was as strong as ever and riding high on their success. After rigorously touring, The Blasters took some time off the road to reflect and work on new material. At that time, a number of major films hit theaters featuring The Blasters tunes including Bull Durham ("So Long Baby, Goodbye) and Some One To Watch Over Me ("Marie, Marie").
The Blasters spent the next few years attempting to find a guitar player suitable to measure up to the impeccable standards by which The Blasters play. The band met veteran guitar maestro, Keith Wyatt. 4-11-44 is The Blasters' fifth studio album. It is fourteen tracks of their signature rock and blues. Phil Alvin's vocals are as powerful and true as they ever were and the band follows through with steady, raucous riffs and rhythms. Their music continues to be used frequently in dark, pulp films and television shows such as From Dusk to Dawn, Streets of Fire, and Six Feet Under. Originally released in the UK in 2004, 4-11-44 was released on Rainman Records in August of 2005.
No Other Girl
The Blasters Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Drunk half out of my mind
Down to my last cigarette
Tryin' to kill some time
I don't know why I do it
Spend a day at another girl's place
She knew that when I open the door
She could see by the look on my face
Waitin' for me, she's waitin' for me
No other girl could take it
Another girl 'd just give in
Another girl 'd throw out on the street
No other girl would take me back again
A chapman takes his hat off
He likes his coffee black
Soon I'll have to face the fact
She knows that I'll be back
The bus boy speaks in Spanish
The waitress checks her hair
I been so many nights on the town
She'll always be there
Waitin' for me, she's waitin' for me
No other girl could take it
Another girl 'd just give in
Another girl 'd throw out on the street
No other girl would take me back again
Waitin' for me, she's waitin' for me
No other girl could take it
Another girl 'd just give in
Another girl 'd throw out on the street
No other girl would take me back again
I don't know why I do it
Some day she might be gone
I buy a new pack of cigarettes
I've been in this joint along
Waitin' for me, she's waitin' for me
No other girl could take it
Another girl 'd just give in
Another girl 'd throw out on the street
No other girl would take me back again
No other girl would take me back again
No other girl would take me back again
The Blasters' song "No Other Girl" seemingly tells a story of a man who spends time with other women despite having a woman who is waiting for him. The singer is at an all-night cafe, drunk and bored, and smoking his last cigarette. He reflects on why he spends his days with other women, knowing that his girlfriend knows what he is up to when he walks through the door. He knows that his girlfriend will always be waiting for him with open arms, unlike any other woman would.
Throughout the song, there is a sense of resignation and feeling trapped in the singer's situation. He knows that he is taking his girlfriend for granted, but he still can't help seeing other women. He feels guilty and wants to stop, but he can't. The repetition of the line, "no other girl could take it," emphasizes the loyalty and devotion of his girlfriend, and the fact that he doesn't deserve her love.
The song is a poignant commentary on infidelity, addiction, and the consequences of taking someone for granted. It captures the essence of a self-destructive relationship and how it can be hard to escape.
Line by Line Meaning
Waitin' in an all night cafe
The singer is currently at a cafe trying to kill time.
Drunk half out of my mind
The singer is under the influence of alcohol.
Down to my last cigarette
The singer only has one cigarette left.
Tryin' to kill some time
The artist is bored and trying to pass the time.
I don't know why I do it
The artist is unsure why they keep going to other girls' places.
Spend a day at another girl's place
The singer spends time at other girls' places.
She knew that when I open the door
The girl he goes to know that he is seeing other girls.
She could see by the look on my face
The girl he goes to could tell from his facial expression that he was with another girl.
Waitin' for me, she's waitin' for me
The girl he goes to is waiting for him to come back.
No other girl could take it
No other girl could handle the artist's behavior.
Another girl 'd just give in
Another girl would easily forgive the singer for seeing other girls.
Another girl 'd throw out on the street
Another girl would kick the artist out for seeing other girls.
No other girl would take me back again
No other girl would forgive the singer for his behavior and take him back.
A chapman takes his hat off
A customer takes his hat off.
He likes his coffee black
The customer likes black coffee.
Soon I'll have to face the fact
The artist will eventually have to come to terms with his behavior.
She knows that I'll be back
The girl he goes to knows that he will come back to her.
The bus boy speaks in Spanish
The bus boy at the cafe speaks Spanish.
The waitress checks her hair
The waitress at the cafe is fixing her hair.
I been so many nights on the town
The artist has spent many nights out at various events or venues.
She'll always be there
The girl he goes to will always be waiting for him.
Some day she might be gone
The artist realizes that the girl he goes to might leave him one day.
I buy a new pack of cigarettes
The singer buys a new pack of cigarettes.
I've been in this joint along
The artist has been at this cafe for a while.
No other girl would take me back again
None of the other girls the singer sees would forgive him and take him back.
Writer(s): Dave Alvin
Contributed by Landon W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
roland johansson
They were just pure great. Love 'em.
The Reverend Epi_gee
still love it ! I met Dave in 1995, nice guy. Fan since 1982... :)