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"
Our Father's Sons
The Gaslight Anthem Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
All you weary strangers raise your voice
In this chain gang chorus in our younger days
My brothers, we were naive sailors
Storms we′d all endure
Oh the road, oh you who sing her praises of dust and bones
The places that she takes us, the choice is ours
We wanted much more than our fathers
Now we're moving on up, to the east side
We finally got a piece of the pie
Baby doll
All you women of the travelers, your empty arms
Your patient hearts in waiting, bless your hearts
And your never ending patience
I could not go on without you
We′re all the same
All blue and bright white collars, we're all the same
Our troubles and our sorrows and underneath
Blood and bone and mixture
Though we dance to different songs
And our songs, you sing along
Woah woah oh oh
Woah oh oh woah
Woah oh oh woah
And our songs, you sing along
Woah woah oh oh
Woah oh oh woah
Woah oh oh woah
Every man, every woman with a burden raise your hands
Raise'em up to the firmament, see those hands
Meet your brothers and your sisters, use your hands
We are our father′s sons
The Gaslight Anthem's "Our Father's Sons" is a song about unity and brotherhood among people who are all essentially the same, despite differences in ethnicity, social status, and struggles. The opening lines of the song call out to all those who feel lost or weary, inviting them to raise their voices in a chain gang chorus that reminds them of the camaraderie they all shared when they were young and naive sailors. The song speaks to the choices we make in life, and how those choices shape our journey. It acknowledges the struggles we all go through, but emphasizes the importance of standing together and supporting one another through those struggles.
As the song progresses, it reflects on the idea that we all have our own unique journeys, but beneath the surface, we are all the same. The lyrics speak to the fact that we all have our own share of troubles, but ultimately, we are all made of the same blood and bone. The chorus reminds us of the bond we share as humans, and encourages us to join hands with our brothers and sisters, regardless of the burdens we carry.
Overall, "Our Father's Sons" is a powerful and emotional song that speaks to the importance of community and brotherhood, particularly during difficult times. It acknowledges that we are all struggling in some way, but also reminds us that we are never truly alone, and that our shared experiences can bring us closer together.
Line by Line Meaning
Help me sing
I need your help to make music and express ourselves.
All you weary strangers raise your voice
If you're feeling lost and alone, speak up and be heard in this group.
In this chain gang chorus in our younger days
When we were younger, we used music to bind us together like a chain gang.
My brothers, we were naive sailors
We were like sailors, setting out on a journey with optimism and without much knowledge of what was ahead.
Storms we'd all endure
We knew we would face difficulties and hardships, but we were determined to face them together.
Oh the road, oh you who sing her praises of dust and bones
The road we've traveled on is full of dust and bones, but we still sing its praises because it has taken us to new places and given us new experiences.
The places that she takes us, the choice is ours
We have the power to choose where the road takes us and what we do with the experiences it offers.
We wanted much more than our fathers
We had aspirations beyond what our parents had accomplished.
While our mothers said their prayers
Our mothers had faith and prayed for us as we set out on our own paths.
Now we're moving on up, to the east side
We're making progress and moving up in life.
We finally got a piece of the pie
We've achieved some level of success and the rewards that come with it.
Baby doll
A term of endearment for a woman.
All you women of the travelers, your empty arms
Women who traveled along with us carry a sense of emptiness.
Your patient hearts in waiting, bless your hearts
We recognize and appreciate the kind and patient hearts of the women who waited for us along the way.
And your never ending patience
We're grateful for the unwavering patience these women displayed.
I could not go on without you
We realize we could not have made it without the support of these women.
We're all the same
Despite our differences, we're all humans and share common struggles and experiences.
All blue and bright white collars, we're all the same
Regardless of our social and economic status, we all have hardships to face.
Our troubles and our sorrows and underneath
Beneath the surface, we all share deep troubles and sorrows.
Blood and bone and mixture
We're all a mixture of flesh and blood with shared human experiences.
Though we dance to different songs
We may have different ways of expressing ourselves, but we're all part of the same human family.
And our songs, you sing along
Our music resonates with you and you join in singing it.
Every man, every woman with a burden raise your hands
Everyone has burdens they must bear and we acknowledge them.
Raise'em up to the firmament, see those hands
We raise our hands up in solidarity and the sky bears witness to our struggles.
Meet your brothers and your sisters, use your hands
We come together as siblings and work together to overcome our burdens.
We are our father's sons
We are our fathers' legacy and we carry on their traditions and values.
Writer(s): Brian Fallon
Contributed by Savannah D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Stephen Collier
no band or artist can touch these, best band on this planet
maxen0908
probably the best band in the world
KarsheTV
maxen0908 definitely!!!
Kevin Tirpak
Why wasnt this on the album?? its so good!
Native.Penguin45
These Guys Are My Favorite Band They picture a image in my head about how the Ole Days were They Made me Wish I lived in those Days. :( The Gaslight Anthem is My Underground Top Notch.
Mighty Memes
Ladys and gentleman : THIS is a REAL country voice :D
brian sheets
unbelievable
monkey balls
<33
Hey I'm Kevin
I'm pretty sure that they are the real life equivalent to The Wyld Stallyns.
bill anderson
that's funny...