The Gaslight Anthem’s music embraces many elements of blues, classic rock, and punk rock. The band has described their sound as “Bruce Springsteen singing for a Cure cover band, with a tinge more aggression.” The group’s fondness for Springsteen, a significant influence on their music, is celebrated by fans and critics alike. Representative of such views, one critic wrote, “The Gaslight Anthem are like something out of speculative fiction: this is what pop music would be if Springsteen hadn’t listened to his producer, let the Ramones record ‘Hungry Heart,’ and launched the C.B.G.B.’ers into megastardom.”
The band released its first LP, Sink or Swim, in 2007 through XOXO Records, and toured with many reputable bands, including Against Me!, The Draft, Dead to Me, and Fake Problems.
The Gaslight Anthem’s second release, a 4-song EP entitled Señor and the Queen, was released on January 29th, 2008 by Sabot Productions.
Their second full-length, The ‘59 Sound, was released on August 19, 2008 on Side One Dummy Records. The album debuted at #70 on the Billboard top 200. It was produced by Ted Hutt, who has produced albums for The Bouncing Souls, Flogging Molly, and MxPx.
On August 6, 2008 they became the first band to ever appear on the cover of Kerrang! magazine without the publication having previously written a single word about them.
In Fall 2008, the band toured with Rise Against, Alkaline Trio, and Thrice.
On December 9, 2008, the Gaslight Anthem made their television debut on Late Night with Conan O’Brien, performing the song the “The ‘59 Sound.” On January 30, 2009, they appeared on The Late Show with David Letterman, again playing “The ‘59 Sound.”
Their third full-length, American Slang, was released on June 15, 2010, on Side One Dummy Records. The Bring It On Songfacts reports that it finds the band moving away from the fictional lyrics and '50s-inspired sound of their previous records.
In 2010 they appeared on the main stage at the Reading and Leeds festivals in the UK along with Arcade Fire, The Libertines and Modest Mouse.
Their fourth full-length, Handwritten was released on July 23, 2012 in the UK, and on July 24 in the US. The lead single, "45", was aired for the first time worldwide as Zane Lowe's Hottest Record in the World on April 30, 2012 on BBC Radio 1 and was released on iTunes on May 8, 2012. Handwritten was called by The Rolling Stone their "biggest sounding, most straightforward album"
"45"
The Gaslight Anthem Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Just look at 'em shake
And the song just keeps on repeating
Drop the needle again
And I dance with your ghost
Oh, but that ain't the way
I can't move on and I can't stay the same
Hey hey, turn the record over
Hey hey, and I'll see you on the flip side
There you go, turn the key and engine over
Let 'er go, let somebody else lay at her feet
But have you seen my heart
Have you seen how it bleeds
And the nights are so long, baby
Out here in the deep
The tick, ticking of hours, lonely
I hear the alarm
I used to hear when she would sleep in my arms
But better sense says
Hey hey, turn the record over
Hey hey, and I'll see you on the flip side
There you go, turn the key and engine over
Let 'er go, let somebody else lay at her feet
And all my friends say
Hey hey, turn the record over
Hey hey, and I'll see you on the flip side
There you go, turn the key and engine over
Let 'er go, let somebody else lay at her feet
Where you used to be
Where you used to be
Where you used to be here with me
The Gaslight Anthem's song "45" is a song that delves into the complex emotions of loss and heartbreak. The singer of the song is unable to move on after a relationship has ended and he is haunted by memories of his former lover. He speaks of how he has been unable to let go of the memories and how they continue to repeat in his mind like a broken record. He admits that he cannot move on and yet he cannot stay the same. He is trapped in a state of limbo as he tries to come to terms with the loss of his lover.
The chorus of the song is the most striking part, as the singer's friends advise him to turn the record over and move on with his life. The lyrics "Hey hey, turn the record over, Hey hey, and I'll see you on the flip side" represent a turning point in the song. The singer is forced to confront the reality of his situation and accept that he cannot keep holding on to the past. The song is a poignant and powerful reminder of the pain that comes with heartbreak and how difficult it can be to move on.
Line by Line Meaning
Have you seen my hands
My trembling hands show how much I am affected by my memories of you
Just look at 'em shake
My shaking hands are uncontrollable reminders of the pain you have caused me
And the song just keeps on repeating
The song is a constant reminder of our past and my inability to move on
Drop the needle again
I have tried to escape my pain through music, but it only brings me back to you
And I dance with your ghost
I am haunted by memories of you and I cannot escape them
Oh, but that ain't the way
I know that I need to let go and move on, but it's easier said than done
I can't move on and I can't stay the same
I am stuck in a state of limbo, unable to move forward or backward in my life
And all my friends say
My friends are trying to help me move on from you
Hey hey, turn the record over
My friends are telling me to change the record and try something new
Hey hey, and I'll see you on the flip side
My friends are encouraging me to look forward to a new chapter in my life
There you go, turn the key and engine over
My friends are telling me to start fresh and move on
Let 'er go, let somebody else lay at her feet
My friends are telling me to stop holding onto the past and let someone else have a chance with you
But have you seen my heart
My heart is broken and I am struggling to deal with the pain of losing you
Have you seen how it bleeds
My heart is bleeding out from the pain of losing you
And the nights are so long, baby
The nights feel endless without you here with me
Out here in the deep
I feel lost and alone without you by my side
The tick, ticking of hours, lonely
The sound of the clock is a constant reminder of how long it's been since you left
I hear the alarm
I am reminded of the time we spent together whenever I hear the alarm
I used to hear when she would sleep in my arms
I miss the comfort of having you by my side, and the sound of the alarm reminds me of that
Where you used to be
I am constantly searching for you, even though I know you are gone
Where you used to be
I cannot let go of the past, even when it hurts me to hold onto it
Where you used to be here with me
I miss having you here with me, and I cannot move on until I learn to let you go
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BRIAN FALLON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Noodleknows.
My sister used to love this song... She passed away a year ago, and I think of her whenever I hear it.. The lyrics are on point..
@todddowning5820
Sorry for your loss 😢💔
@tommynoll4063
I’m extremely sorry for your loss my thoughts and prayers go out to you and all your loved ones
@ngiamps9341
❤
@michellewylie7526
I am so very sorry. My sister died almost 8 years ago. I miss her every day. I've lost track of how many times I've wished that I could simply talk to her, because she understood me far better than anyone else ever has. There are quite a few songs that remind me of her. We have to take comfort where we can❤
@coldyvlogs
I'm sorry for your loss. It's a brilliant song. I hope it brings you peace.
@depositionsandstuff7465
These guys should be more popular than they are. Really underrated band.
@stallionstudios
Same with the Trews
@muckymarsh6833
Been listening since high school. Still flabbergasted as to why they didnt blow up. Atleast me and the boys still love it
@nowayjose6205
Unfortunately they are not black making jungle music.