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 Baby!
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 song Casanova Baby! is a heart-wrenching ballad of a man who appears to be struggling with alcoholism and the toll it has taken on his relationships. The song opens up with a whistle wail that signals the end is near, and the singer admits to being worse for wear but determined to shed his skin. He then addresses his lover, expressing his desire to run away with her and dance all night upon the architecture. He also acknowledges that he knows she wants to have a good time, but he wants to breathe again.
The singer then shifts to a poignant confession of his late-night struggles with his inner demons, always picking at the pieces, and nothing seems to be relieving. However, he acknowledges that every song of a soul man is a night he'd like to spend with his lover, twisting the night away. As the night progresses, he realizes that it's past quarter to three and past the midnight hour - Mustang Sally has left the building, and they're worse without her. If he could just put down his old hammer, he'd take his lover somewhere new.
Throughout the song, the singer is torn between his desires and his demons, the guilt of his behavior, and the hope to make things right with his lover. The Gaslight Anthem delivers a powerful performance with insightful lyrics that resonate with anyone who has struggled with addiction or relationship breakdowns.
Line by Line Meaning
Do you hear that whistle wail?
The end is coming and it's signaling for me to move on
I think the end is comin' in
It feels like everything is coming to an end and I need a change
I'm a whole lot worse for wear
I'm feeling beaten down and tired from my current situation
But I'm determined to slip this skin
I am motivated to leave behind my old self and start fresh
And I know you're dyin' for a good time
I can tell that you are longing for excitement and adventure
I'm dyin' to breathe again
I am eager to feel alive and free once more
Oh my, my Virginia
Addressing a person or place that represents a better future
We could run all night and dance upon the architecture
Let's escape from our mundane lives and explore something new and exciting
Come and take my hand, I'll give the very best I can
I want to partner with you in this adventure and do my best to make it great
But boy, I still want to be your man
I want to prove to you that I am capable of being a reliable and trustworthy partner
I'm still these nervous feet and heart of stone
Despite my eagerness, I am still unsure and have been emotionally hurt before
Forget this dead man's town, I'll take you home
Let's leave behind our old lives and start anew together
Do you hear me late at night?
I often struggle with my thoughts and emotions, especially when alone
Always pickin' at the pieces
I'm constantly analyzing and trying to make sense of my life
Sometimes nothin' comes out right
Despite my efforts, I can never seem to figure everything out
And nothin' is relievin'
I cannot find any solace or escape from my problems
But every soul man's song
The music and passion of others can help me forget and enjoy the moment
Is a night I'd like to spend with you
Being with you is all I need to feel happy and alive
Just twistin' the night away
Let's dance, laugh, and forget our problems for a while
But it's past quarter to three
Time is running out and we have to make the most of the moment
And it's past the midnight hour
We've entered a new day, and with it, new possibilities
Mustang Sally's left the building
The party is over and it's time to move on
And we're so much worse without her
We'll miss the excitement and fun of the night, but we'll keep going
If I could put down this old hammer
If I could leave behind my old ways and behaviors
I'd take you somewhere new
I want to show you new experiences and perspectives
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!!!