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.
So Long Baby Goodbye
The Blasters Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I've been foolin' myself too long
I'm never right but always wrong
Goodbye, Baby, so long
You know
You never let this thing catch on
You never let me be that strong
There was a cold wind blowing on the night we met
The leaves fell from the trees
You made a lot of promises I ain't seen yet
And I ain't gonna ask you please
We know
None of us are gonna cry
It wasn't even worth the try
So long, Baby, Goodbye
(Musical Interlude)
There was a cold wind blowing on the night we met
The windows were rolled up tight
We both asked for something we could never get
Now I'll do the thing that's right
We know
None of us are gonna cry
It wasn't even worth the try
So long, Baby, Goodbye
In "So Long Baby Goodbye," The Blasters deliver a bluesy rockabilly song about a breakup that had the singer fooling himself for too long. He knows that he's never right and always wrong, and he bids a goodbye to his lover, saying that she never let him catch on or be strong.
The song opens with the singer recalling the night they met when there was a cold wind blowing, and the leaves fell from the trees. His lover made a lot of promises, but he hasn't seen them come true yet, and he doesn't want to ask her to fulfill them either. The chorus comes in with a finality that the breakup is inevitable, and neither of them will cry as it wasn't even worth trying to stay together.
The musical interlude gives the song a pensive break before the final verse, where the singer describes another night in the car with his lover, where they asked for something they couldn't get from each other. Finally, he decides to do the right thing and bids his lover goodbye, reminding her that their parting won't leave any room for tears.
Overall, "So Long Baby Goodbye" is a song about acceptance and moving on from a relationship that wasn't working. Despite the upbeat rhythm of the song, the lyrics highlight the regrets and mistakes made by both parties.
Line by Line Meaning
I know
I am aware
I've been foolin' myself too long
I have been deceiving myself for a long time
I'm never right but always wrong
I am always incorrect
Goodbye, Baby, so long
Farewell, my love. I'm leaving.
You know
You are aware
You never let this thing catch on
You never allowed this relationship to become successful
You never let me be that strong
You never let me be independent or strong
Goodbye, Baby, so long
Farewell, my love. I'm leaving.
There was a cold wind blowing on the night we met
On the night we met, a cold wind was blowing
The leaves fell from the trees
The leaves fell from the trees
You made a lot of promises I ain't seen yet
You made a lot of promises you have yet to fulfill
And I ain't gonna ask you please
And I don't intend to request anything from you
We know
We are aware
None of us are gonna cry
Neither of us will cry
It wasn't even worth the try
It wasn't even worth attempting
So long, Baby, Goodbye
Farewell, my love. I'm leaving.
(Musical Interlude)
A short period of music playing without any singing
The windows were rolled up tight
The windows were tightly closed
We both asked for something we could never get
We both requested something that we could never attain
Now I'll do the thing that's right
Now I will do the right thing
We know
We are aware
None of us are gonna cry
Neither of us will cry
It wasn't even worth the try
It wasn't even worth attempting
So long, Baby, Goodbye
Farewell, my love. I'm leaving.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: DAVE ALVIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
HotDog_Kid
I know
I've been foolin' myself too long
I'm never right but always wrong
Goodbye, Baby, so long
You know
You never let this thing catch on
You never let me be that strong
Goodbye, Baby, so long
There was a cold wind blowing on the night we met
The leaves fell from the trees
You made a lot of promises I ain't seen yet
And I ain't gonna ask you please
We know
None of us are gonna cry
It wasn't even worth the try
So long, Baby, Goodbye
There was a cold wind blowing on the night we met
The windows were rolled up tight
We both asked for something we could never get
Now I'll do the thing that's right
We know
None of us are gonna cry
It wasn't even worth the try
So long, Baby, Goodbye
HotDog_Kid
I know
I've been foolin' myself too long
I'm never right but always wrong
Goodbye, Baby, so long
You know
You never let this thing catch on
You never let me be that strong
Goodbye, Baby, so long
There was a cold wind blowing on the night we met
The leaves fell from the trees
You made a lot of promises I ain't seen yet
And I ain't gonna ask you please
We know
None of us are gonna cry
It wasn't even worth the try
So long, Baby, Goodbye
There was a cold wind blowing on the night we met
The windows were rolled up tight
We both asked for something we could never get
Now I'll do the thing that's right
We know
None of us are gonna cry
It wasn't even worth the try
So long, Baby, Goodbye
joseph lemko
I have a fan since the mid-1980s. I never tire of their music. Guitarist Dave Alvin is still putting of great music.
Kaizoku
YES I’VE BEEN LOOKING FIR THIS FOR AGES!
Always plays when I’m blowing out competition on a short track. Timeless.
Victor Mouta
This song's so awesome! And it's quite upbeat for its meaning, even though, if you really think about it, it's actually very happy.
Nícollas Verner
My God, I remember when I had my PS2 and GT4... Ahh, the memories! One of the bests GT's ever, and one of the bests moments in my life... Childhood!
Game and soundtrack are amazing!
AbdiePlay 7
Bro x2
Tim Szabo
Hopefully all is well with you! God bless ya
Michael Rodriguez
Gt4 menu music is still legendary fyi
Nicole Huffman
Steve Berlin on sax. He’s now with Los Lobos. Multitalented musician.
uwe geissel
Definetely an outstanding song, amazing dance performance and the film as well as Willem Dafoe simply great