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"
Autumn
The Gaslight Anthem Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I wish that I was on a freeway just flying along
But all my feelings
They kinda seemed so out to get me
I always felt like it's a strange thing
Just being alive
No more Spring into Summertime
So can I hold you underneath October?
Black jeans in Autumn, leaves falling down
I hate the way that time goes
Crashing over like a steamroller
I wish I could do my life over
I'd be young, better now
I don't know what happens
To all our favorite, faded memories
Christmas mornings by the fir tree
And then you're gone
And I know someday, you're gonna make me lonely
And maybe someday, I'm gonna make you cry
Right now we're angels in the muddy water
Black jeans in Autumn, leaves falling down
And I know love goes longer than this lifetime
And I know time goes faster than my mind
So if you wanna find me, I'll be down the shoreline
Black jeans in Autumn, sun going down
Black jeans in Autumn, sun going down
Black jeans in Autumn, leaves falling
The lyrics to The Gaslight Anthem's song "Autumn" reflect a sense of introspection and longing for a simpler, carefree existence. The vocalist expresses a desire to escape the chaos and unrest within their own mind and find solace on a metaphorical freeway, symbolizing freedom and liberation. However, the singer acknowledges that despite this longing, they feel overwhelmed by their own emotions and anxieties, as if the world is out to get them. The irony lies in the fact that despite this strange feeling, being alive itself is a strange and surreal experience.
The lyrics also touch upon the concept of mortality and the transient nature of life. The mention of Spring into Summertime represents the fleeting, ephemeral nature of happiness and joy. The singer contemplates holding their loved one close in the month of October, a symbol of autumn and the cyclical nature of life. They acknowledge that time rushes by like a steamroller, and they wish they had the chance to redo their life, to be young and better now. The lyrics evoke a sense of nostalgia as they mention faded memories of past Christmases and lament the inevitability of losing those precious moments.
Despite the awareness of the ephemeral nature of life, the singer expresses a belief in the enduring power of love. They acknowledge that love goes beyond this lifetime and that time moves faster than their mind can comprehend. The lyrics convey a longing to escape the confines of reality and find solace by the shoreline, while still adorned in black jeans in the autumn setting, as the sun sets and leaves fall, symbolizing the passage of time.
Ultimately, "Autumn" delves into themes of introspection, nostalgia, and the realization of life's transience. It captures the bittersweet moments of existence, the longing for simplicity, and the eternal search for love and meaning.
Line by Line Meaning
There's too much traffic in my head, babe
My thoughts and emotions are overwhelming me
I wish that I was on a freeway just flying along
I long for a sense of freedom and escape from my thoughts and feelings
But all my feelings
All my emotions
They kinda seemed so out to get me
They often feel like they are working against me
I always felt like it's a strange thing
It has always felt bizarre and strange
Just being alive
To simply exist
'Cause I know someday it's gonna be all over
Because I'm aware that one day it will all come to an end
No more Spring into Summertime
There will be no more transitioning from spring to summer
So can I hold you underneath October?
Can we share a moment under the October sky?
Black jeans in Autumn, leaves falling down
The imagery of wearing black jeans in autumn with leaves falling symbolizes a nostalgic and bittersweet moment
I hate the way that time goes
I despise how quickly time passes
Crashing over like a steamroller
It feels like time overwhelms me forcefully
I wish I could do my life over
I desire to have a chance to start my life again
I'd be young, better now
If given the opportunity, I would make the most of my youth and improve myself
I don't know what happens
I am uncertain about what occurs
To all our favorite, faded memories
What happens to the cherished memories that fade over time?
Christmas mornings by the fir tree
The special moments of Christmas mornings spent near the fir tree
And then you're gone
But then you, or those memories, vanish
And I know someday, you're gonna make me lonely
I am aware that eventually you will cause me to feel lonely
And maybe someday, I'm gonna make you cry
And perhaps one day, I will be the cause of your tears
Right now we're angels in the muddy water
Currently, we are like angels trying to find purity in a complicated and messy world
Black jeans in Autumn, leaves falling down
The imagery of black jeans in autumn with falling leaves continues to represent a nostalgic and bittersweet moment
And I know love goes longer than this lifetime
I understand that love extends beyond the duration of our lives
And I know time goes faster than my mind
I am aware that time passes quicker than my thoughts can keep up with
So if you wanna find me, I'll be down the shoreline
If you are searching for me, I will be by the shore
Black jeans in Autumn, sun going down
Once again, the imagery of black jeans in autumn now with the sun setting signifies a reflective and melancholic moment
Black jeans in Autumn, sun going down
Reiterating the previous line for emphasis
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Brian Michael Fallon
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
lyineyes56
There's too much traffic
In my head, babe
I wish that I was on a freeway
Just flying along
But all my feelings
They kinda seemed so out to get me
I always felt like it's a strange thing
Just being alive
'Cause I know someday it's gonna be all over
No more Spring into Summertime
So can I hold you underneath October?
Black jeans in Autumn, leaves falling down
I hate the way that time goes
Crashing over like a steamroller
I wish I could do my life over
I'd be young better now
I don't know what happens
To all our favorite, faded memories
Christmas mornings by the fir tree
And then you're gone
And I know someday, you're gonna make me lonely
And maybe someday, I'm gonna make you cry
But right now we're angels in the muddy water
Black jeans in Autumn, leaves falling down
And I know love goes longer than this lifetime
And I know time goes faster than my mind
So if you wanna find me, I'll be down the shoreline
Black jeans in Autumn, sun going down
Black jeans in Autumn, sun going down
Black jeans in Autumn, leaves fallin
Kevi N' Kraemer
@Hometown Glory
This night at Hammersmith… unmatched … WE the TGA crowd… incredible.
I will never forget it. A night with endless goosebumps.
My brother, my best friend and me….
„WE LIKE OUR CHORUSES SUNG TOGETHER, WE LIKE OUR ARMS IN OUR BROTHERS ARMS….“
Life is good. Even better with the boys from little eden!
🙏🏽
Chris Akseth
There's too much traffic
In my head, babe
I wish that I was on a freeway
Just flying along
But all my feelings
They kinda seemed so out to get me
I always felt like it's a strange thing
Just being alive
'Cause I know someday it's gonna be all over
No more Spring into Summertime
So can I hold you underneath October?
Black jeans in Autumn, leaves falling down
I hate the way that time goes
Crashing over like a steamroller
I wish I could do my life over
I'd be young better now
I don't know what happens
To all our favorite, faded memories
Christmas mornings by the fir tree
And then you're gone
And I know someday, you're gonna make me lonely
And maybe someday, I'm gonna make you cry
But right now we're angels in the muddy water
Black jeans in Autumn, leaves falling down
And I know love goes longer than this lifetime
And I know time goes faster than my mind
So if you wanna find me, I'll be down the shoreline
Black jeans in Autumn, sun going down
Black jeans in Autumn, sun going down
Black jeans in Autumn, leaves falling
Stez Mutiny
There's too much traffic
In my head, babe
I wish that I was on a freeway
Just flying along
But all my feelings
They kinda seemed so out to get me
I always felt like it's a strange thing
Just being alive
'Cause I know someday it's gonna be all over
No more Spring into Summertime
So can I hold you underneath October?
Black jeans in Autumn, leaves falling down
I hate the way that time goes
Crashing over like a steamroller
I wish I could do my life over
I'd be young better now
I don't know what happens
To all our favorite, faded memories
Christmas mornings by the fir tree
And then you're gone
And I know someday, you're gonna make me lonely
And maybe someday, I'm gonna make you cry
But right now we're angels in the muddy water
Black jeans in Autumn, leaves falling down
And I know love goes longer than this lifetime
And I know time goes faster than my mind
So if you wanna find me, I'll be down the shoreline
Black jeans in Autumn, sun going down
Black jeans in Autumn, sun going down
Black jeans in Autumn, leaves falling
Garett Hoffard
Something strange, uncomfortable and anxiety filled when you consider your own mortality and what life is. Brian’s lyrics can have such a haunting feel but also make you feel so safe. It’s so strange it’s hard to put into words. Thanks Gaslight
Marko Perosevic
Exactly. The song is sad and super melancholic but still you feel so warm and safe listening to it, and kinda reminds you of how beautiful life actually is
Jared Hope
I'm about a year younger than Brian and it's funny to see his lyrics evolve like life does. Early TGA, the lyrics are all about the present and hopes for the future and the life you'll live. Now, in your 40's, you start seeing your youth in the past and mortality in your future.
Lucky I'm here now for good music.
Jason Rose
@Jared HopeI was born in ‘82. I always felt like his lyrics resonate with me. Some songs take time to grow on me I’ve been left wondering more than once Is that what Brian was thinking a couple years earlier when he was that age. He does an amazing job of putting the listener in the driver’s seat!
Jared Hope
@Jason Rose definitely, I always think it's one of the cool things about lyrics, you can find your own interpretation and how lyrics connect with you. I connect with Brian's lyrics because I can see that frame of reference shifting from a young guy in his 20's to in his 40's now in the same way my own perspective has changed.
Jason Rose
@Jared Hope I agree and well said. It’s been a fun ride growing with the band. Hopefully that continues for years to come.
Charles Dillinger
Yesterday I was driving to work, listening to this tune, wondering how we waste so much time working jobs we hate, for shitty people that treat us just like slaves, as soon as I arrive at work they fired me, I went back to my car blast this tune with so much joy for the future and such relief, I will always associates this song to this moment! Don't waste your life folks, the time you give away won't turn back! Time is precious, so are you! ❤
cecil keith
I'm sorry, congratulations, and you'll be better.
Charles Dillinger
@cecil keith thank you, you're right I can say it's for the better, and I'll be better, I can focus on my music now 😊
Alex Alonso
@Charles Dillinger which is pretty good music btw!