Kerosene
The Bottle Rockets Lyrics
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For a little while that trailer must a seemed like hell
If kerosene works why not gasoline
If kerosene works why not gasoline
Kids wore rags, he never worked too much
Who's the judge to decide how this world can punish
If kerosene works why not gasoline
If kerosene works why not gasoline
Now the welfare check won't pay for the electricty
wonder who the jury was decided they were all guilty
If kerosene works why not gasoline
If kerosene works why not gasoline
Fire started 'bout 3am you know none of 'em would survive
They hated that goddamn trailer so it burnt 'em up alive
If kerosene works why not gasoline
If kerosene works why not gasoline
In a pure perfect world that tells no lies,
Burn you down you try to...improvise
If kerosene works why not gasoline
If kerosene works why not gasoline
If kerosene works why not gasoline
If kerosene works why not gasoline
The Bottle Rockets's song Kerosene is a poignant commentary on social injustice that pervades the world we live in. The lyrics describe a family living in a burned-out shell of a trailer, seemingly struggling to make ends meet. The verses point out the inequities and inadequacies in the welfare system and the justice system that let people down. The chorus repeats the question "If kerosene works why not gasoline," implying that a sense of desperation might lead people to take more drastic measures to improve their lives. This is further echoed in the last stanza where the lyrics state "Burn you down you try to...improvise" - suggesting that this family was trying to find a way out of their situation, but the system failed them, leading to their tragic end.
Line by Line Meaning
Ever see that damn thing, that burned out shell
Have you ever witnessed the sight of a burnt-down trailer?
For a little while that trailer must a seemed like hell
The trailer must have felt like a living hell for a short period.
If kerosene works why not gasoline
If kerosene is effective, why not use gasoline instead?
Kids wore rags, he never worked too much
The children were wearing worn-out clothes, and their father wasn't working much.
Who's the judge to decide how this world can punish
Who has the authority to determine how the world punishes people?
Now the welfare check won't pay for the electricity
The welfare check is insufficient to cover the cost of electricity.
wonder who the jury was decided they were all guilty
It's unclear who determined that they were all at fault.
Fire started 'bout 3am you know none of 'em would survive
The fire began around 3 in the morning, and it's evident that no one would make it out alive.
They hated that goddamn trailer so it burnt 'em up alive
The family despised the trailer, and it burned them all to death.
In a pure perfect world that tells no lies
In an ideal, truthful world,
Burn you down you try to...improvise
You'll still find a way to survive, even if someone tries to destroy you.
If kerosene works why not gasoline
If kerosene works well, why not try using gasoline instead?
If kerosene works why not gasoline
Is there a reason to continue using kerosene if gasoline is more effective?
If kerosene works why not gasoline
If kerosene has proved to be useful, why not switch to gasoline and see if it performs better?
If kerosene works why not gasoline
It's worth considering using gasoline if kerosene is doing the job already.
Contributed by Lauren L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@badgermustelid1203
Lyrics
Ever see that damn thing, that burned out shell?
For a little while that trailer must've seemed like Hell
[Chorus]
If kerosene works, why not gasoline?
If kerosene works, why not gasoline?
Kids wore rags, he never worked too much
Who's the judge to decide how this world can punish?
[Chorus]
Now the welfare check won't pay for the electricity
Wonder who the jury was decided they were all guilty?
[Chorus]
Fire started 'bout 3 am, you know none of 'em would survive
They hated that goddamn trailer, so it burnt 'em up alive
[Chorus]
In a pure perfect world that tells no lies
Burn you down you try to improvise
[Outro]
If kerosene works, why not gasoline?
If kerosene works, why not gasoline?
If kerosene works, why not gasoline?
If kerosene works, why not gasoline?
@bertlloyd2990
How these boys managed to write the essential 2020 song back in 1992 I will never know but somehow they foresaw all the desperation, death and absurdity burning together
@slartybartfast6526
Fucking powerful. Painfully powerful.
@celialea6671
love the Bottle Rockets, and this song, along with Welfare Music reminds me of when I was a kid..
@briansummers8733
Great band, great fun!
@jacobhghs43
It is. It's a true story, that happened in Missouri, not too far from where I live.
@klein2003
Love these guys! I've seen them twice,and they are excellent live. The boys from Festus will definitely go down in the annals of great "Southern Rock" along with Skynard and Hatchet.
@Cpl_Tunnel
when I realized what the song was about, it hit me square in the chest.
@Geoff_G
Yup. Right in the feels, man, right in the feels.
@55TeleMark
I’ve seen this. Be grateful. F’n life.
@The24thWight
I always forget about this band until someone mentions a cheap trashy car.
Then I binge them for several hours.
Love these guys and It seems like every time I look them up I find a new song.
Like this one!