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"
07 Rollin' and Tumblin'
The Gaslight Anthem Lyrics
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You better find some other body to comfort.
When I was trembling baby you was a diamond,
But you ain't a diamond no more.
So what you wanna say is my head is a hurricane
Well l-l-l-let me sleep on that, uh huh, alright.
You say I'm hopelessly devoted to misery
And all of my friends wanna get into heaven
And all I keep thinkin' is "I wish you were here"
I heard that they been callin' me "The Great Depression"
Rollin' and tumblin', breakin' my own heart again
Shimmy shimmy shake baby right in my blood stream
I don't know what it was that got in my room.
My ticker-tape heart broke and everything shook in here
But I learned it could be worse.
So what you wanna say is my head is a weather-vane
Spinning with the wind chime, right.
Baby I was born on the fourth of July,
Exploding like a firework, aw yeah
And all of my friends wanna get into heaven
And all I keep thinkin' is "I wish you were here"
I heard that they been callin' me "The Great Depression"
Rollin' and tumblin'
And all of my friends wanna get into heaven
And all I keep thinkin' is "I wish you were here"
I heard that they been callin' me "The Great Depression"
Rollin' and tumblin'
So should I take everything, all your temporary medicines?
Should I take your reds, your blues, and your cocaine?
Should I take something to try on the weekend?
Should I take anything, or did you mean everything?
When I hit the wall, wrecked from it all
You put flowers down on the cold ground
And cry me a river
And assure me I'm crazy
While you question the answers
And then you lean on my best friends
Until you find better weather
And you take a vacation
I hope you got all my letters
Signed "The Great Depression"
Baby rollin' and tumblin'
In "Rollin' And Tumblin'," The Gaslight Anthem explores the end of a relationship and the aftermath of heartbreak. The opening lines suggest that the singer is done with going out and that the former lover should find someone else to comfort. The next lines seem to call out the ex-partner's lack of value after being the reassuring presence during moments of weakness.
The chorus repeats the same lines with a slight variation, demonstrating the ongoing thought process of the singer's desire for the ex-partner's presence despite the failed relationship. In the second verse, the singer acknowledges the chaos that came with the relationship but decides that it could be worse. The third verse seems to be a direct confrontation with the ex-partner, questioning the value of the temporary fixes or substances that are being used to get through the breakup.
The song's title, "Rollin' And Tumblin'," is borrowed from a blues song from the 1920s that has been covered by various artists, including Muddy Waters and Bob Dylan. The song is said to have originated from the Mississippi Delta region and is a reference to the style of dancing that was popular with African Americans in the early 20th century.
Line by Line Meaning
I don't think I'm goin' out anymore
I have lost the desire to go out
You better find some other body to comfort.
You need to find someone else to go to for comfort
When I was trembling baby you was a diamond,
In the past, you were my rock when I was vulnerable
But you ain't a diamond no more.
Now, you are not the same as you used to be
So what you wanna say is my head is a hurricane
You accuse me of having a chaotic mind
Well l-l-l-let me sleep on that, uh huh, alright.
I will take time to consider your accusation
You say I'm hopelessly devoted to misery
You think I am always seeking sorrow
Well I don't wanna be so devoted no more, aw yeah
I want to break free from this pattern of sadness
And all of my friends wanna get into heaven
My friends seek salvation
And all I keep thinkin' is "I wish you were here"
But I only want you with me
I heard that they been callin' me "The Great Depression"
Rumors suggest that people think of me as severely depressed
Rollin' and tumblin', breakin' my own heart again
I am causing my own heartache
Shimmy shimmy shake baby right in my blood stream
My emotions are overwhelming me
I don't know what it was that got in my room.
I am unsure how I let these feelings consume me
My ticker-tape heart broke and everything shook in here
My heart is shattered and it is causing me to feel unsteady
But I learned it could be worse.
I have gained perspective that things could be even more difficult
So what you wanna say is my head is a weather-vane
You claim that my mind changes frequently
Spinning with the wind chime, right.
My mind changes with each passing breeze
Baby I was born on the fourth of July,
Independence Day is my birthday
Exploding like a firework, aw yeah
I have a fiery passion
So should I take everything, all your temporary medicines?
Do you want me to take all of your temporary fixes?
Should I take your reds, your blues, and your cocaine?
Do you want me to take your prescription drugs and cocaine?
Should I take something to try on the weekend?
Should I experiment with drugs on the weekend?
Should I take anything, or did you mean everything?
Should I take all of your belongings or everything in a general sense?
When I hit the wall, wrecked from it all
When I become overwhelmed and face obstacles
You put flowers down on the cold ground
You show sympathy by placing flowers at my lowest point
And cry me a river
You cry with me in my time of need
And assure me I'm crazy
You comfort me when I feel like I am losing my mind
While you question the answers
You ask deep philosophical questions
And then you lean on my best friends
You rely on my close friends
Until you find better weather
Until you find a better situation
And you take a vacation
You seek an escape from reality
I hope you got all my letters
I hope you received all of my messages
Signed "The Great Depression"
Signed with a name fitting of my current state
Baby rollin' and tumblin'
I am feeling lost and unsure
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BRIAN FALLON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind