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"
Michigan 1975
The Gaslight Anthem Lyrics
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I'm not your savior
Just a dream
Dressed up to scare you on Halloween
Don't look up
The sun's gone forever
It's never coming back
'Cause if I could be free, why would I stay chained?
And if that makes you sad, you should be ashamed
And maybe I'm not the one to blame after all
I'm saving up my body for when I'm in love
But if you want me now, you should call me up
'Cause I'm losing my desire for being alive
Tonight in Michigan, in 1975
What's that sound?
The sky is falling
Are you still around
'Cause love doesn't scare me anymore
'Cause if I could be free, why would I stay chained?
And if that makes you sad, you should be ashamed
And maybe I'm not the one to blame after all
I'm saving up my body for when I'm in love
But if you want me now, you should call me up
'Cause I'm losing my desire for being alive
Tonight in Michigan, in 1975
And the big bad wolf rode his bike into town
And he huffed and he puffed and pushed the kids around
Says he come to find a girl to make his wife
But nobody's darlings
And I'm saving up my soul for when I'm in love
So if you want me now, you should call me up
'Cause I'm losing my desire for being alive
Tonight in Michigan, in 1975
Tonight in Michigan, in 1975
The lyrics of "Michigan 1975" by The Gaslight Anthem convey a sense of disillusionment and a longing for freedom. The singer starts off by asserting that they are not a savior but merely a dream, dressed up to frighten like a Halloween costume. The line "Don't look up, the sun's gone forever" suggests a deep sense of despair and hopelessness, as if the light and warmth have vanished from their world. The phrase "if I get a ride tonight" implies a desire to escape their current circumstances.
The chorus reflects a conflicted state of mind. The singer questions why they should remain chained if they have the opportunity to be free, and those who are saddened by their decision should feel ashamed. There is a subtle shift in perspective, with the realization that the singer may not be entirely to blame for their feelings. They express a willingness to hold onto their body until they find love, but also acknowledge an increasing lack of desire for being alive.
The second verse starts with a rhetorical question about whether the listener is still present amidst the chaos, suggesting that love no longer scares the singer. The chorus is repeated, emphasizing their struggle between freedom and the expectations of others. The final verse introduces the metaphor of the "big bad wolf" riding into town, representing a figure of power and dominance. Despite this, the singer asserts their determination to save their soul for when they find love.
Overall, "Michigan 1975" explores themes of disillusionment, the search for freedom, and the conflict between personal desires and societal expectations.
Line by Line Meaning
Don't you know?
Do you not understand?
I'm not your savior
I am not here to save you
Just a dream
Only an illusion
Dressed up to scare you on Halloween
Appearing frightening like a Halloween costume
Don't look up
Avoid raising your gaze
The sun's gone forever
The sun has disappeared permanently
It's never coming back
It will never return
And I won't be either if I get a ride tonight
Furthermore, I will not be here either if I am given a lift tonight
'Cause if I could be free, why would I stay chained?
If I had the opportunity to be liberated, why would I continue to remain restrained?
And if that makes you sad, you should be ashamed
If this causes you sadness, you ought to feel remorseful
And maybe I'm not the one to blame after all
It is possible that I am not the individual at fault in the end
I'm saving up my body for when I'm in love
I am preserving my physical being for when I experience love
But if you want me now, you should call me up
However, if you desire my presence presently, you should contact me
'Cause I'm losing my desire for being alive
Because I am gradually losing my will to continue living
Tonight in Michigan, in 1975
This evening in the state of Michigan, in the year 1975
What's that sound?
What is that noise?
The sky is falling
The sky is collapsing
Are you still around
Are you still present?
'Cause love doesn't scare me anymore
Because love no longer intimidates me
And the big bad wolf rode his bike into town
A troublesome individual arrived in town on his bicycle
And he huffed and he puffed and pushed the kids around
He expressed anger and exerted force, intimidating the children
Says he come to find a girl to make his wife
He claims that he has come to search for a girl to marry
But nobody's darlings
But no one's beloved individuals
And I'm saving up my soul for when I'm in love
I am reserving my innermost being for when I experience love
So if you want me now, you should call me up
Therefore, if you desire my presence presently, you should contact me
'Cause I'm losing my desire for being alive
Because I am gradually losing my will to continue living
Tonight in Michigan, in 1975
This evening in the state of Michigan, in the year 1975
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Brian Michael Fallon
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind