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"
Casanova
The Gaslight Anthem Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I think the end is comin' in
I'm a whole lot worse for wear
But I'm determined to slip this skin
And I know you're dyin' for a good time
I'm dyin' to breathe again
Oh my, my Virginia
We could run all night and dance upon the architecture
Come and take my hand, I'll give the very best I can
But boy, I still want to be your man
I'm still these nervous feet and heart of stone
Forget this dead man's town, I'll take you home
Do you hear me late at night?
Always pickin' at the pieces
Sometimes nothin' comes out right
And nothin' is relievin'
But every soul man's song
Is a night I'd like to spend with you
Just twistin' the night away
But it's past quarter to three
And it's past the midnight hour
Mustang Sally's left the building
And we're so much worse without her
If I could put down this old hammer
I'd take you somewhere new
Oh my, my Virginia
We could run all night and dance upon the architecture
Come and take my hand, I'll give the very best I can
But boy, I still want to be your man
I'm still these nervous feet and heart of stone
Forget this dead man's town, I'll take you home
Oh my, my Virginia
We could run all night and dance upon the architecture
Come and take my hand, I'll give the very best I can
But boy, I still want to be your man
I'm still these nervous feet and heart of stone
Forget this dead man's town, I'll take you home
The Gaslight Anthem’s “Casanova, Baby!” is a song about a man who is trying to move on from his past mistakes and find a new life. He acknowledges his own faults and that the end is coming soon, but he is determined to start anew. The lyrics capture a sense of restlessness and a longing for something more in life.
The singer of the song is looking for a good time and is eager to breathe again. He wants to take the hand of his partner and dance all night, forgetting about the past and looking towards the future. The lyrics paint a picture of two people running away together, trying to escape from their problems and start a new life.
The song has a sense of urgency, as the characters know that time is running out. The lyrics convey a feeling of desperation, as they try to hold onto their relationship and find happiness together. Overall, “Casanova, Baby!” is a song about hope, redemption, and starting over.
Line by Line Meaning
Do you hear that whistle wail?
Can you sense that the end is near?
I think the end is comin' in
I believe that the end is approaching quickly.
I'm a whole lot worse for wear
I am heavily exhausted and beaten down.
But I'm determined to slip this skin
But I am determined to leave my current state behind and start anew.
And I know you're dyin' for a good time
And I am aware that you are craving for some excitement and adventure.
I'm dyin' to breathe again
I am longing to feel alive and free once more.
Oh my, my Virginia
Oh my dear, Virginia.
We could run all night and dance upon the architecture
We could spend the whole night running and dancing through the city's structures and buildings.
Come and take my hand, I'll give the very best I can
Join me and I promise to put forth my best effort to make this a memorable experience.
But boy, I still want to be your man
But despite my shortcomings, I still desire to be the one you choose to be with.
I'm still these nervous feet and heart of stone
I am still anxious and uncertain, but determined to see this through despite being hurt before.
Forget this dead man's town, I'll take you home
Let's escape this dreary and lifeless town and I will take you to a place that feels like home.
Do you hear me late at night?
Can you hear me in the still of the night?
Always pickin' at the pieces
Always picking at the remnants of what's left.
Sometimes nothin' comes out right
Sometimes things just don't seem to work out.
And nothin' is relievin'
And nothing seems to offer any relief.
But every soul man's song
But every song that speaks to the soul.
Is a night I'd like to spend with you
Is a night that I would love to share with you.
Just twistin' the night away
Just dancing the night away together.
But it's past quarter to three
But it is already very late into the night.
And it's past the midnight hour
And it is already after midnight.
Mustang Sally's left the building
The excitement and energy have left the place.
And we're so much worse without her
And we feel so empty and lost without that spark.
If I could put down this old hammer
If I could let go of this old burden.
I'd take you somewhere new
I would take you to a new and exciting place.
Oh my, my Virginia
Oh my dear, Virginia.
We could run all night and dance upon the architecture
We could put the night to use and explore the city in a different way.
Come and take my hand, I'll give the very best I can
Join me, and I will do everything I can to make this an unforgettable experience.
But boy, I still want to be your man
But despite all odds, I still want to be the one you choose to be with.
I'm still these nervous feet and heart of stone
I'm still walking cautiously, but my heart is open and hopeful.
Forget this dead man's town, I'll take you home
Let's escape this lifeless town, and I'll take you to a place that feels like home.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BRIAN FALLON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
EshowKBR
4 years later and this song still holds a place in my heart. Absolutely wonderful
Robert Drake
O hek
fireball 76
2021 who's here!
Big Clown
@fireball 76 me!!
John Duddy
I hope to see you in another 4 years friend
danno
@fireball 76 2022
EshowKBR
8 years now! Coming back for my annual listen. I first heard this song as a teenager in high school. now im an adult, and engaged to my elementary school crush. Lifes great.
Taj
Congrats!
Eric McIntosh
Me and the boys of little Eden still cheer to this every chance we get.
Dave Hardgrave
Perfect album!!!