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"
Meet Me By The River's Edge
The Gaslight Anthem Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Poundin' sweat beneath these wheels
We tattooed lines beneath our skin
No surrender, my Bobby Jean
See, I've been here for 28 years
Poundin' sweat beneath these wheels
We tattooed lines beneath our skin
And we've been burned by all our fears
Just from growin' up around here
Our father's factories marked our cards
While Eden burned against the stars
And Sally said, Sally said
"I can't take no more regret"
It cut us deep into our souls
Came and climbed into our bed
And Sally said, Sally said
"Meet me by the river's edge"
We're going to wash these sins away
Or else we won't come back again
You know I had these ballroom dreams
That, as a child came to me
I was a boy in Grandma's arms
A mother's pride and a wounded heart
And I was full with fiery wonder
You wore Audrey Hepburn pearls
You were the only one who understood me then
You're the only one who will
And Sally said, Sally said
"I can't take no more regret"
It cut us deep into our souls
Came and climbed into our bed
And Sally said, Sally said
"Meet me by the river's edge"
We're going to wash these sins away
Or else we won't come back again
And now I drive the one-oh-one
On a California night
And I'm amazed at all the stars
Beneath that old Hollywood sign
And they waltz the ballet up the boulevard
To a place we never kept
And I'm not sure if we belong here
If I never really left or if I can go home
And Sally said, Sally said
"I can't take no more regret"
It cut us deep into our souls
Came and climbed into our bed
And Sally said, Sally said
"Meet me by the river's edge"
We're going to wash these sins away
Or else we won't come back again
No retreat, no regrets
No retreat, no regrets
No retreat, no regrets
Meet me by the river's edge
No retreat, no regrets
No retreat, no regrets
No retreat, no regrets
Meet me by the river's edge
The Gaslight Anthem's song "Meet Me By the River's Edge" is a nostalgic look back at youth and the changes that follow as you grow older. The song is sung from the perspective of someone who has been living in the place they grew up for 28 years and has grown tired of the monotony of their life. They reflect on the tattoos they have gotten beneath their skin as symbols of their determination to never give up or surrender.
The lyrics talk about the various struggles of growing up around there, where fathers' factories marked everyone's lives and made it difficult to escape. The song reflects on the feeling of regret and how it can cut deep into one's soul, but that there is always the possibility of redemption. The character, Sally, offers a solution to the struggles of life; they should meet by the river's edge to wash away their sins.
The lyrics also reflect on the changes that come with moving away from home and adapting to new environments. The character drives on the one-oh-one on a California night, amazed by the stars and the old Hollywood sign, but still uncertain if they belong there. The song ends with a repeated chorus of "No retreat, no regrets, meet me by the river's edge," suggesting that, regardless of where they end up, the character will always seek new beginnings and adventures.
Line by Line Meaning
See, I've been here for 28 years
The singer has spent a long time in this place
Poundin' sweat beneath these wheels
The singer has worked hard in this place
We tattooed lines beneath our skin
The singer and others have permanent marks from their experiences in this place
No surrender, my Bobby Jean
The artist is determined to keep going despite challenges, like the character 'Bobby Jean' in a Bruce Springsteen song
And we've been burned by all our fears
The artist and others have been hurt by their worries and anxieties
Just from growin' up around here
Their environment has contributed to their struggles
Our father's factories marked our cards
Their fathers' work has defined their lives
While Eden burned against the stars
The world has faced turmoil while they've been here
And Sally said, Sally said
A character named Sally is speaking, possibly to the artist
"I can't take no more regret"
Sally is tired of feeling sorry for past mistakes
It cut us deep into our souls
Regret has had a profound effect on Sally and the singer
Came and climbed into our bed
Regret has affected their intimate relationship
"Meet me by the river's edge"
Sally wants to go to a specific location with the singer
We're going to wash these sins away
They hope to cleanse themselves of their past mistakes
Or else we won't come back again
If they can't leave their past behind, they may not return
You know I had these ballroom dreams
The artist had aspirations of a glamorous life
That, as a child came to me
These dreams started in childhood
I was a boy in Grandma's arms
The singer recalls a comforting moment with their grandmother
A mother's pride and a wounded heart
The singer's mother was proud of them, but also may have been hurt by something
And I was full with fiery wonder
The artist was excited about the possibilities of their life
You wore Audrey Hepburn pearls
Someone in the artist's life was glamorous, like the actress Audrey Hepburn
You were the only one who understood me then
This person was the only one who truly understood the artist
And now I drive the one-oh-one
The singer is now driving on a highway in California
On a California night
It is nighttime in California
And I'm amazed at all the stars
The singer is awestruck by the starry sky
Beneath that old Hollywood sign
The singer is near a famous landmark in Los Angeles
And they waltz the ballet up the boulevard
People are dancing in the street
To a place we never kept
The artist and their loved ones never had the chance to experience this type of life
And I'm not sure if we belong here
The artist feels unsure if they fit in with this glamorous lifestyle
If I never really left or if I can go home
The singer is unsure if they are meant to stay in California or if they can go back to where they came from
No retreat, no regrets
The singer is determined to move forward without looking back
Meet me by the river's edge
Sally is still calling the artist to meet her at the river
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BRIAN FALLON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@mrpele8110
Classic , from one of the greatest albums of all time . Most underrated album of all time . Thanks .
@twinnedwitherlangen
"I was full with fiery wonder, you wore Audrey Hepburn pearls. You were the only one who understood me then and the only one who will." Amazing band, amazing song, amazing album.
@nomnomnom8116
For me, it's one of the best songs i have ever listened to.
@crk140
I could list a dozen gas light songs that to me rank up there with anything ever written
@ilocano17
that's totally my favourite song on the 59 sound lp. both their lp and their ep are great records and they are also an amazing live band :) love this band and their songs...
@joshbricker4641
I've always thought of this as basically Brian's unofficial tribute song to Bruce...like "I'da Called You Woody, Joe" with Joe Strummer, this song is pretty much a total love letter to another one of his heroes.
@OelfredBiernot
No Surrender my Bobby Jean-says it all fer a BROOOOOCE fan! vvvvnice song and 59sound is a super cool album! Thanks Bruce for leading me to this great band! Love em and most of my fellow Bruce friends too!
@TheMo123
I heard an acoustic version of this song on the radio a few days ago, brilliant
@fretfreak1963
Saw these guys perform with Bruce in a small tent at Glastonbury festival - awesome !
Think there are a few vids of it on here somewhere
@MadMojo93
THANK YOU ! im very glad you uploaded, ive been waiting for it.