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"
Mama's Boys
The Gaslight Anthem Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
For your charity and your patience during my blues.
I must confess, I still cry every morning
While every night I just take a bunch of these trying to forget you.
And don't tell me how you're the muse to every fit boy in Soho.
And I don't wanna hear about how they show you a real good time.
I'd rather imagine you on a stretcher on your way to the emergency room
But it's alright, yes it's alright to cry about it.
And it's mighty nice, yeah it's just fine if you wanna die.
'Cause there's no room in heaven for California girls and mama's boys.
Just like there ain't no room for me and you.
And it's alright, yes it's alright to cry about it.
And it's mighty nice, yeah it's just fine if you wanna die.
'Cause there's no room in heaven for New York girls and mama's boys.
Just like there ain't no room for me and you.
But it's alright, yes it's alright to cry about it.
And it's mighty nice, baby it's just fine if you wanna die.
'Cause there's no room in heaven for the things that I did to you.
Just like there ain't no room for me and you.
Just like there ain't no room for me and you.
The Gaslight Anthem's song Mama's Boys is about a narrator who is struggling to get over a breakup. The first verse expresses his gratitude for his loved one, despite the blues he is feeling. However, he confesses that he still cries every morning and uses drugs to try to forget about her at night. The second verse is directed at his former lover, where he seemingly lashes out at her so as to make himself feel better, imagining her on a stretcher on her way to the emergency room. At the same time, he is encouraging himself to be okay with his emotions and allow himself to cry or even die if needed.
The chorus repeats the theme of there being no room in heaven for certain types of people, specifically California girls and New York girls, along with mama's boys like himself. He realizes that there is no room in heaven for the things he has done to his ex-lover either, and that there might not be any hope for their reunion.
Line by Line Meaning
I'd like to express my deepest gratitude
I am thankful for everything you have done for me
For your charity and your patience during my blues.
You have been incredibly kind and understanding when I've been struggling
I must confess, I still cry every morning
I am still deeply upset and hurt about what happened between us
While every night I just take a bunch of these trying to forget you.
I am trying to numb my pain by taking pills every night
And don't tell me how you're the muse to every fit boy in Soho.
I don't want to hear about how desirable you are to other men
And I don't wanna hear about how they show you a real good time.
I don't want to know about the fun you're having with other people
I'd rather imagine you on a stretcher on your way to the emergency room
I would find satisfaction in picturing you suffering
While you imagine me somewhere high and laughing about you…
You probably think I'm over you and enjoying my life, but that's not the truth
But it's alright, yes it's alright to cry about it.
It's okay to be emotional and upset about our situation
And it's mighty nice, yeah it's just fine if you wanna die.
Even if you feel like giving up, it's understandable
'Cause there's no room in heaven for California girls and mama's boys.
People like us may not have a place in the afterlife
Just like there ain't no room for me and you.
Our relationship may not have a future or a place in the world
But it's alright, yes it's alright to cry about it.
It's okay to feel emotional and overwhelmed
And it's mighty nice, yeah it's just fine if you wanna die.
Even if death seems like a preferred option, it's understandable to feel that way
'Cause there's no room in heaven for New York girls and mama's boys.
We may not have a place in the afterlife, even in New York where we are from
Just like there ain't no room for me and you.
Our relationship may not find a home or a future
But it's alright, yes it's alright to cry about it.
It's okay to feel emotional and vulnerable
And it's mighty nice, baby it's just fine if you wanna die.
Feeling overwhelmed and wanting to give up is understandable
'Cause there's no room in heaven for the things that I did to you.
My actions may prevent me from having a place in the afterlife
Just like there ain't no room for me and you.
Our relationship may not have a future or a place in this world or the next
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BRIAN FALLON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Justin B
I'd like to express my deepest gratitude
For your charity and your patience during my blues.
I must confess, I still cry every morning
While every night I just take a bunch of these trying to forget you.
And don't tell me how you're the muse to every fit boy in Soho.
And I don't wanna hear about how they show you a real good time.
I'd rather imagine you on a stretcher on your way to the emergency room
While you imagine me somewhere high and laughing about you…
But it's alright, yes it's alright to cry about it.
And it's mighty nice, yeah it's just fine if you wanna die.
'Cause there's no room in heaven for California girls and mama's boys.
Just like there ain't no room for me and you.
And it's alright, yes it's alright to cry about it.
And it's mighty nice, yeah it's just fine if you wanna die.
'Cause there's no room in heaven for New York girls and mama's boys.
Just like there ain't no room for me and you.
But it's alright, yes it's alright to cry about it.
And it's mighty nice, baby it's just fine if you wanna die.
'Cause there's no room in heaven for the things that I did to you.
Just like there ain't no room for me and you.
Just like there ain't no room for me and you.
Tom Costello
why is it that this band has the most awesome bonus tracks for every record that they have put out?
Francisco Llorente del Real
I really respect the musical evolution of Gaslight Anthem. This album is awesome, but my favorite songs are the bonus tracks, that just sound like their previous albums. Is it not somewhat contradictory? Always do your best.
Tony Armijo
I must confess.
I still cry every morning.
Every night I just take a bunch of these and try to forget you.
Justin B
I'd like to express my deepest gratitude
For your charity and your patience during my blues.
I must confess, I still cry every morning
While every night I just take a bunch of these trying to forget you.
And don't tell me how you're the muse to every fit boy in Soho.
And I don't wanna hear about how they show you a real good time.
I'd rather imagine you on a stretcher on your way to the emergency room
While you imagine me somewhere high and laughing about you…
But it's alright, yes it's alright to cry about it.
And it's mighty nice, yeah it's just fine if you wanna die.
'Cause there's no room in heaven for California girls and mama's boys.
Just like there ain't no room for me and you.
And it's alright, yes it's alright to cry about it.
And it's mighty nice, yeah it's just fine if you wanna die.
'Cause there's no room in heaven for New York girls and mama's boys.
Just like there ain't no room for me and you.
But it's alright, yes it's alright to cry about it.
And it's mighty nice, baby it's just fine if you wanna die.
'Cause there's no room in heaven for the things that I did to you.
Just like there ain't no room for me and you.
Just like there ain't no room for me and you.
FillVinf06
I really think it's their best song, all albums together. Also the song I listened the most, amongst 2.5K more songs in my iTunes library. This band is just amazing!
Dan 343
My favourite track on album <3
soundescapeMN
Very reminiscent of the '59 sound. Love it.
Michael Allan
"I'd rather imagine you on a stretcher, on your way to the emergency room.
While you imagine me somewhere high and laughing about you."
Fuck that line kills me every time.
lyineyes56
I just love Gaslight Anthem :-)
FillVinf06
lyineyes56 oh, cool!