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"
08 Red Violins
The Gaslight Anthem Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Twenty pounds of curses came to visit me tonight.
Salt for all the cuts, blankets for the cold.
Prayers to keep the devil far away from those I love.
And there were red violins, playing in my dreams.
One for me and two for me, and one at Jesus' feet.
And one I only reach to for sympathy.
For when you're falling on your knees.
I seen you howling now, you water at the mouth.
I seen you fawn and faint in need.
Are there red violins playing you sleep?
Chariot swing low, if you come for me.
Ain't it now, the strangest sound we call on for relief?
Look at the all these people clapping steady to the beat,
Of the ambulances on their way to me
So if you wanna, then you wanna.
Everybody pays the price to feed.
And since you're howling now, you're foaming at the mouth
And since you're struck right off your feet.
I'll play red violins
And you are now of my existence,
You're part of that which still remains.
And you're lingering like fingered strings,
I seem to call on to feel the pain.
On red violins, on red violins.
And if you wanna, then you wanna.
Can't you see me crawling at your feet?
You see me howling now, I'm foaming at the mouth.
Come on and grieve for my disease
And there were red violins playing in my dreams.
There were red violins playing in my dreams.
There were red violins.
There were red violins.
There were red violins.
There were red violins playing in my dreams.
The Gaslight Anthem's song Red Violins appears to be a deeply emotional and introspective exploration of pain, struggle, and the power of music to provide solace and comfort, even in the darkest of times. The lyrics are full of vivid imagery and metaphor, painting a picture of a person facing seemingly insurmountable difficulties and searching for something to cling to.
In the first verse, the singer describes the weight of their troubles: curses, cuts, and cold, countered by salt and blankets. They also mention praying to keep harm away from their loved ones. Amidst this turmoil, red violins are playing in their dreams. These instruments represent a kind of spiritual balm, something beautiful and ethereal that helps the singer cope with their difficulties. There are two violins for them and one for Jesus, but the final one is reserved for sympathy from others.
The second and third verses continue to explore the themes of struggle and pain, with the singer calling on a "chariot" for relief and witnessing crowds clapping to the beat of ambulances. Throughout it all, the red violins remain a constant presence, a symbol of the singer's need for comfort and connection. The final verse seems to be addressed to a lover or friend, with the singer suggesting that the other person is now a fundamental part of their life, lingering like "fingered strings" that they reach for in their moments of pain.
Line by Line Meaning
There is no use to holler, no use to cry.
It is pointless to scream or cry out, as it will not change anything.
Twenty pounds of curses came to visit me tonight.
I am plagued by a heavy burden of curses and negativity.
Salt for all the cuts, blankets for the cold.
I seek comfort and healing from the pain and suffering I am experiencing.
Prayers to keep the devil far away from those I love.
I pray for the safety and protection of my loved ones from harm and danger.
And there were red violins, playing in my dreams.
In my dreams, I am haunted by the sound of red violins playing mournful melodies.
One for me and two for me, and one at Jesus' feet.
There are multiple red violins in my dreams, each representing a different aspect of my pain and suffering.
And one I only reach to for sympathy.
I turn to the red violin for comfort and sympathy in my time of need.
And if you want it, then you want it.
If you desire something, you will pursue it relentlessly.
For when you're falling on your knees.
In moments of desperation, you will do anything to survive.
I seen you howling now, you water at the mouth.
I have witnessed you in a state of desperation, driven to madness by your suffering.
I seen you fawn and faint in need.
I have seen you become weak and powerless in the face of your struggles.
Are there red violins playing you sleep?
Do you too dream of the haunting sound of red violins, a symbol of your pain and suffering?
Chariot swing low, if you come for me.
I call out for help, hoping that a divine force will come to my rescue.
Ain't it now, the strangest sound we call on for relief?
It is peculiar that we turn to such haunting and mournful sounds for comfort and release from our pain.
Look at the all these people clapping steady to the beat,
I observe the world around me, full of people who are indifferent to my struggles, blindly clapping to the rhythm of their own lives.
Of the ambulances on their way to me
I await the arrival of emergency vehicles, a sign of the severity of my condition.
So if you wanna, then you wanna.
If you are determined to achieve something, you will stop at nothing to make it happen.
Everybody pays the price to feed.
There is a cost to everything in life, even if it means sacrificing one's own well-being to provide for others.
And since you're howling now, you're foaming at the mouth
You too are driven to madness by your pain and suffering, crying out in desperation.
And since you're struck right off your feet.
You too have been struck down by the weight of your struggles, left powerless and vulnerable.
I'll play red violins
I will turn to music and art to find solace and meaning in my suffering.
And you are now of my existence,
You are now a part of my being and my story, intertwined with my struggles and my path forward.
You're part of that which still remains.
Even when everything else has faded away, you are still there, a reminder of what once was and what is still possible.
And you're lingering like fingered strings,
You remain present in my life, like a lingering melody that echoes in my mind and heart.
I seem to call on to feel the pain.
I turn to you to feel my pain and recognize the reality of my struggles, seeking a deeper understanding of myself and my life.
Can't you see me crawling at your feet?
I am desperately seeking your help and support, pleading with you to acknowledge and understand my struggles.
You see me howling now, I'm foaming at the mouth.
I have been driven to madness by my pain and suffering, crying out for help in the depths of my despair.
Come on and grieve for my disease
Join me in mourning and recognizing the severity of my condition, acknowledging the pain and hardship I am enduring.
And there were red violins playing in my dreams.
In the midst of my struggles, I find comfort and meaning in the haunting sound of red violins, a symbol of my pain and my hope.
There were red violins playing in my dreams.
The sound of red violins continues to echo in my mind, a reminder of what I have endured and what I have overcome.
There were red violins.
Red violins serve as a powerful symbol of the pain and suffering we endure in life, but also of the hope and beauty that can be found in even the darkest of times.
There were red violins.
Red violins continue to resonate with me, a powerful reminder of my own struggles and the strength and beauty I have found in myself and others.
There were red violins playing in my dreams.
Even in my darkest moments, the haunting sound of red violins brings comfort and solace, reminding me of the beauty and meaning that can be found in even the most difficult of times.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BRIAN FALLON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Dan Clemente
I understand why the press didn't like this album. I also understand why one reviewer said it wasn't 'cohesive' or like what Brian said it would be.
But I think for those who listen, and find this music, they feel it and understand the entire thing. This album fits together more for me than American Slang does. Maybe they've never felt some things, or maybe you forget what it's like to listen to music, over and over, not as a job listening to new releasesevery day, hastily scribbling out notes and anecdotes so you can get paid.
No, I think this music isn't for people like that,at least, not in that point in their lives. I think this is for the young and rash and unthinking children who feel the lyrics, even though they haven't really experienced the heartbreak at 16 like they would ending a 10 year marriage. But the words are for them. And the old, experienced, glory days long gone types as well, because it feels like a scar that's healed up years ago, but the music can make you feel as if you were young again and your wound is fresh and bleeding down. And it's for everybody in between, no matter where they're driving, even if they're at their peak and feel like they can't feel anything bad.
I think if, given enough time, everybody could understand this music and album. Yup. Yup. I truly do. I heard one song and the first thought was, "I can already read the 'Gaslight Has Changed, Man!' comments all over the place". But if you've been a fan since they had their first pounding, bleeding heart song in Wherefore Art Though, Elvis?, to their explosion in '59 sound, the great song that was Handwritten, to now, and all the b-sides throughout... You'll understand. It's quite a journey, it's quite an experience. I myself was just 17 listening to them for the first time. 59 sound coming out and defining my life, graduation, drifting of friendships. All the way to today,where I'm older and I've moved out, up, and down around everywhere. And this record releases and reminds me of every happy or sad thing I've been through. Some songs make me want to cry, call up old long lost friends.
But I'm rambling. I think if a critic says 'skip this song', and you happen to love it, those are the people I like the best. I think that shows good taste. This is a great song on a great album.
gaia 3465
Since this album came out, nothing has beat this song as my favorite yet. It is fucking epic, and I put it on repeat all the time. Gives me chills and tears. Love love love.
Timothy Pittman
Gaslight Anthem is often overlooked and terribly underrated. Brian Fallon is extraordinary! To hell with the critics... This song will be playing at my funeral.
Alexa Saltz
Really!?!? Mine too!!!!
roxypierce
12000000009
Kyle Kaulfers
Love it! Keep it up guys
Alex White
I'm a big fan of Gaslight Anthem, but the more I listen to them the more I realise their music is made to be clapped and sung along to live
Aaron Morris
Sounds like Gaslight doing their version of country music. Love it.
jakeandgodzilla
My favorite song on the new album!
Edward Gibson
Read a review saying this song and selected poems were skip able. What? I guess brian was right when he said the press would hate this album. I love it.
chasemydreams5
Hah and those two songs are my favorite. What a load of bullshit!