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"
10 Ain't That A Shame
The Gaslight Anthem Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I don't wanna hear no more.
So call somebody, baby I'll be useless in the morning.
My heart is all in tatters, I ain't nobody's saint.
I'm just trying not to call you, trying not to call you.
And I learned the rules out with the wolves.
I'm vicious now, honey, cruel and unprincipled.
And all my love, my love, is a plague.
Ain't that a shame? Ain't that a shame?
I throb and wince and weep, just the same
I can't feel a thing ain't that a shame?
Now somebody hit the lights, get the ropes and medicines
And think about it, sugar, and how it's gonna end.
Last night I was freezing, tonight I'm soaking wet.
Well, I must've had a fever, salivating in my bed.
And I learned the rules out with the wolves.
I'm vicious now, honey, dumb and insatiable.
With tears in my eyeballs, your name on my lips, uh huh.
And all my love, my love, is a plague.
Ain't that a shame? Ain't that a shame?
I throb and wince and weep, just the same
I can't feel a thing, ain't that a shame?
And all my love, she's a plague ain't that a shame?
And you know you're gonna wait so long, time slips away.
Till you can't feel the kick, my, how we've changed.
I stood on the platform, waiting in vain, blue light, my baby
And all my love, my love is a plague.
Ain't that a shame, ain't that a shame?
Like poisonous fingers right in your veins,
Who do you love? who do you blame?
Nobody knows what trouble I'm in.
Ain't that a shame, ain't it a shame?
My poisonous fingers inside your veins,
They gonna get you someday
Now ain't that a shame?
The Gaslight Anthem's "Ain't That A Shame" is a song about a person who is struggling with a toxic and addictive relationship. The lyrics describe the emotional turmoil the person is experiencing as they try to distance themselves from their lover. The opening lines, "Well, I'm tired of hearing voices, I don't wanna hear no more, So call somebody, baby I'll be useless in the morning," suggest that the singer is trying to ignore the little voice inside that is telling them to call their lover in the middle of the night. They know that it's not the right thing to do, but they are finding it difficult to resist their desires.
The chorus, "And all my love, my love, is a plague. Ain't that a shame? Ain't that a shame?" highlights the idea that the person's love is causing them pain instead of joy. The singer knows that their love is toxic, but they are unable to let go. The song's ending lines, "My poisonous fingers inside your veins, They gonna get you someday, Now ain't that a shame?" suggest that the singer is aware that they are hurting their lover with their behavior, but they are unable to stop themselves.
Overall, "Ain't That A Shame" is a powerful and emotive song that explores the dark side of love and relationships. The lyrics are raw and honest, and they capture the pain and confusion that can come with being trapped in a toxic relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, I'm tired of hearing voices,
I am exhausted listening to my own thoughts and doubts.
I don't wanna hear no more.
I don't want to be scared of my own feelings anymore.
So call somebody, baby I'll be useless in the morning.
I want someone to talk to even if I won't be much help in the end.
My heart is all in tatters, I ain't nobody's saint.
I am broken inside and can't pretend to be perfect.
I'm just trying not to call you, trying not to call you.
I am struggling to resist the urge to reach out to someone who may have caused my pain.
And I learned the rules out with the wolves.
I became tougher and more ruthless after facing difficult situations.
I'm vicious now, honey, cruel and unprincipled.
I have become harsh and unscrupulous, without morals or principles.
With tears in my eyeballs, wine on my lips, uh huh.
I am crying while drinking because of the pain I feel.
And all my love, my love, is a plague.
My intense love has become a curse that brings only suffering.
I throb and wince and weep, just the same
Despite everything, I still feel pain and sorrow like before.
I can't feel a thing ain't that a shame?
I have become numb to my own emotions, and it's sad for me.
Now somebody hit the lights, get the ropes and medicines
I need help and support to get through my difficult situation.
And think about it, sugar, and how it's gonna end.
I am trying to reflect on my situation and see how it will eventually turn out.
Last night I was freezing, tonight I'm soaking wet.
I am experiencing intense physical and emotional changes due to my situation.
Well, I must've had a fever, salivating in my bed.
I must have been very sick and delirious, experiencing intense symptoms.
I'm vicious now, honey, dumb and insatiable.
I have become brutal, foolish, and insatiable, without caring for what happens to me.
Your name on my lips, uh huh.
I keep saying your name over and over again, unable to stop thinking about you.
And all my love, she's a plague ain't that a shame?
Even though I once loved so much, now that love has become a disease.
And you know you're gonna wait so long, time slips away.
I know that my situation will take a long time to resolve, and time keeps passing by quickly.
Till you can't feel the kick, my, how we've changed.
Until my feelings numb down completely and we both have changed so much from before.
I stood on the platform, waiting in vain, blue light, my baby.
I've been stuck and waiting for someone that's not showing up, even if it hurts and I feel blue.
Like poisonous fingers right in your veins,
My love has become dangerous and destructive, like poison in your veins.
Who do you love? who do you blame?
Who should I love, and who deserves the blame for my pain?
Nobody knows what trouble I'm in.
No one can understand the pain and difficulties that I'm experiencing.
They gonna get you someday
The pain and difficulties will eventually catch up to you and hurt you too.
Now ain't that a shame?
Isn't it sad and regrettable?
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BRIAN FALLON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jordan Tropila
Well, I'm tired of hearing voices, I don't wanna hear no more.
So call somebody, baby… I'll be useless in the morning.
My heart is all in tatters, I ain't nobody's saint.
I'm just trying not to call you, trying not to call you.
And I learned the rules out with the wolves.
I'm vicious now, honey, cruel and unprincipled.
With tears in my eyeballs, wine on my lips, uh huh.
And all my love, my love, is a plague.
Ain't that a shame? Ain't that a shame?
I throb and wince and weep, just the same…
I can't feel a thing; ain't that a shame?
Now somebody hit the lights, get the ropes and medicines
And think about it, sugar, and how it's gonna end.
Last night I was freezing, tonight I'm soaking wet.
Well, I must've had a fever, salivating in my bed.
And I learned the rules out with the wolves.
I'm vicious now, honey, dumb and insatiable.
With tears in my eyeballs, your name on my lips, uh huh.
And all my love, my love, is a plague.
Ain't that a shame? Ain't that a shame?
I throb and wince and weep, just the same…
I can't feel a thing; ain't that a shame?
And all my love, she's a plague… ain't that a shame?
And you know you're gonna wait so long, time slips away.
Till you can't feel the kick, my, how we've changed.
I stood on the platform, waiting in vain… blue light, my baby…
And all my love, my love is a plague.
Ain't that a shame, ain't that a shame?
Like poisonous fingers right in your veins,
Who do you love? Who do you blame?
Nobody knows what trouble I'm in.
Ain't that a shame, ain't it a shame?
My poisonous fingers inside your veins,
They gonna get you someday…
Now ain't that a shame?
Vindictive Design
This album just keeps growing on me all these years on.
Kathy Jacques
I'll make a comment, this is one of the best albums with lyrics that make your heart clench up in sorrow but still makes you feel good
Eaven Travers
Every day, I have a new favorite song off this album. Today... It's this one.
HUEITOR
okay, i think i will have all álbum in my favorites playlist
these guys are insane!
Jason Fortier
Love this song. So good.
Feathers15
Was just broken up with the other day and this song is absolutely hitting it right now
Bobby Drex
favorite song on the new record
Aaron Salinas
absolutely
Youtube Account
Damn im on the get hurt stage of life now, huh
Ellie797
My poisonous fingers right in your veins. Who do you love? Who do you blame?