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"
Helter Skeleton
The Gaslight Anthem Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When you're a friend in need, she'll be your friend indeed.
When you can't find your tongue and when your rational weeps,
She says uh, huh, huh.
So why don't you lean on me if you wanna?
Why don't you lean on me for a while?
Since you only get high on the weekends, uh huh.
See I know the taste of the spike in your brains
As you crawl to me, a little closer to me.
I guess you're in the place that I used to be baby,
Now it's down to me, so simply down to me.
Oh, but I'm a fool and I fall apart too easily,
But you know me how I love to be with Madame Misery.
Come and visit me, I'm on the 99th floor of apathy.
But still you can lean on me if you wanna.
Why don't you lean on me for a while?
Since you only get high on the weekends, uh huh.
Why don't you feed on me tonight?
She said that there will always be a soft spot in my cardiac arrest.
And I will love you until I die from all of this.
And something tells me I will die alone.
But still you can lean on me if you wanna.
So why don't you lean on me for a while?
Since you only get high on the weekends, uh huh.
Why don't you feed on me tonight?
(See, I know the taste of the spike in your brains
As you crawl to me a little closer to me.)
Why don't you feed on me tonight?
(Oh Madame Misery, come and visit me,
Oh won't you crawl to me, a little closer to me?
Madame Misery, come and visit me,
Oh won't you crawl to me, a little closer to me?)
And baby there will always be a soft spot in my cardiac arrest.
And I will love you 'til I die from all of this, yeah.
And there will always be a soft spot in my cardiac arrest.
And I will love you 'til I die from this.
The Gaslight Anthem's song "Helter Skeleton" appears to deal with addiction and the pain and loneliness that often come with it. The singer sings about his experience with addiction and acknowledges that his friend is going through the same thing. The nurse mentioned in the song is someone who specializes in addiction and is thus able to help those in need. The singer acknowledges his own weakness and vulnerability, but still offers himself up as a source of support for his friend. The chorus, with the repeated "why don't you lean on me," encourages the friend to rely on the singer for help and comfort.
The second verse of the song emphasizes the close relationship between addiction and loneliness. The singer knows the taste of the "spike in [his friend's] brains" and identifies with the friend's struggles with addiction. The reference to "Madame Misery" suggests that the singer sees himself as part of the cycle of addiction and is somewhat resigned to this life. Despite this acceptance, however, he still offers himself as a source of support for his friend.
The final verse of the song is perhaps the most poignant, with its reference to a "soft spot in my cardiac arrest." This phrase suggests that the pain and loneliness of addiction will always be with the singer, and that he will continue to love his friend despite this. The final lines ("And I will love you 'til I die from all of this") suggest that the singer is willing to suffer alongside his friend, and that he is willing to do whatever it takes to help them through their addiction.
Line by Line Meaning
See, I know a nurse specialized in the worst
I have a friend who is an expert in the worst situations
When you're a friend in need, she'll be your friend indeed.
She is a true friend when you need her help the most
When you can't find your tongue and when your rational weeps,
In situations where you are speechless and your reasoning skills fail, she is there to support you
She says uh, huh, huh.
She listens intently, acknowledging your emotions
So why don't you lean on me if you wanna?
If you need support, don't hesitate to ask me
Why don't you lean on me for a while?
Rely on me for some time until you feel better
Since you only get high on the weekends, uh huh.
Since you only find solace in certain activities on weekends
Why don't you feed on me tonight?
Why don't you seek comfort from me right now?
See I know the taste of the spike in your brains
I understand how it feels to be under the influence of drugs
As you crawl to me, a little closer to me.
As you make your way towards me, seeking solace
I guess you're in the place that I used to be baby,
I assume you're in the same dark place I used to be in, my dear
Now it's down to me, so simply down to me.
It's now my responsibility to care for you
Oh, but I'm a fool and I fall apart too easily,
However, I admit that I can become weak and break down easily
But you know me how I love to be with Madame Misery.
You know how I love to seek comfort from pain
Come and visit me, I'm on the 99th floor of apathy.
Come and find me in this state of detachment and indifference
She said that there will always be a soft spot in my cardiac arrest.
She assured me that I will always have a tender heart even in the midst of suffering
And I will love you until I die from all of this.
She promised to love me until she died from all the pain
And something tells me I will die alone.
However, she feels like she will die alone despite her love for others
And baby there will always be a soft spot in my cardiac arrest.
She reiterates that her heart will always remain tender in the face of hardship
And I will love you 'til I die from all of this, yeah.
She will continue to love others even in the most difficult circumstances
And there will always be a soft spot in my cardiac arrest.
Her heart will always be open and forgiving
And I will love you 'til I die from this.
She will continue to love others until the end, despite so many struggles
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BRIAN FALLON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jordan Tropila
See, I know a nurse specialized in the worst
When you're a friend in need, she'll be your friend indeed.
When you can't find your tongue and when your rational weeps,
She says uh, huh, huh.
So why don't you lean on me if you wanna?
Why don't you lean on me for a while?
Since you only get high on the weekends, uh huh.
Why don't you feed on me tonight?
See I know the taste of the spike in your brains
As you crawl to me, a little closer to me.
I guess you're in the place that I used to be baby,
Now it's down to me, so simply down to me.
Oh, but I'm a fool and I fall apart too easily,
But you know me how I love to be with Madame Misery.
Come and visit me, I'm on the 99th floor of apathy.
But still you can lean on me if you wanna.
Why don't you lean on me for a while?
Since you only get high on the weekends, uh huh.
Why don't you feed on me tonight?
She said that there will always be a soft spot in my cardiac arrest.
And I will love you until I die from all of this.
And something tells me I will die alone.
But still you can lean on me if you wanna.
So why don't you lean on me for a while?
Since you only get high on the weekends, uh huh.
Why don't you feed on me tonight?
(See, I know the taste of the spike in your brains
As you crawl to me a little closer to me.)
Why don't you feed on me tonight?
(Oh Madame Misery, come and visit me,
Oh won't you crawl to me, a little closer to me?
Madame Misery, come and visit me,
Oh won't you crawl to me, a little closer to me?)
And baby there will always be a soft spot in my cardiac arrest.
And I will love you 'til I die from all of this, yeah.
And there will always be a soft spot in my cardiac arrest.
And I will love you 'til I die from this.
Joe Scott
"There will always be a soft spot in my cardiac arrest, and I will love you until I die from all of this" love that line!
Feathers15
One of the best TGA songs period. This album is severely underrated.
Sarah
LOVE it. You guys are everything.
madmer0917
Def one of the best songs on the album. Keep up the great work TGA!
Desolate Soul
"There will always be a soft spot in my cardiac arrest; and I will love you until I die from all of this."
Kyle Kaulfers
Definitely a favorite, keep up the work Gaslight!!
lyineyes56
This album is right up there with the best,and i think i will love it till i die :-)
Spazzallo
Best song on the album!
Allan Halas
2:17 to the end is so beautiful and powerful
Desolate Soul
Definitely!