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"
Songs For Teenagers
The Gaslight Anthem Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Wanted to be famous but ended up in Naples.
Love is not the answer, I'm in love with this stuff.
I spent every last dime in the backseat of a stranger's truck.
It's okay, I'm all right.
I'll be okay.
But I've gotten pretty good at telling myself it's fine.
Anna talks me down and gives me sips from her beer,
Head pounding reveille, how did I get here?
It's all right. I'll be okay.
Let it go, let it go, all the way down, 'til there's nowhere left to fall.
It's a shame, all the ways we build ourselves up, just to let each other down.
I was looking for drugs in all the wrong places,
Felt like a change coming but I couldn't face it.
I tried to keep my cool when I finally made it home,
I had a blood shot excuse for every lie I ever told.
It's all right. It's okay. I'm all right. I'll be okay.
Let it go, let it go, all the way down, 'til there's nowhere left to fall.
It's a shame, all the ways we build ourselves up, just to let each other down.
Last night is all a blur to me,
I don't remember anything,
But I vaguely recall waking up alone.
I'm always alone.
It's all right. It's okay. Baby, I'm all right. And I'll be okay.
Let it go, let it go, all the way down, 'til there's nowhere left to fall.
It's a shame, all the ways we build ourselves up just to let each other down.
Let it go, let it go, all the way down, 'til there's nowhere left to fall.
It's a shame, all the ways we build ourselves up just to let each other down.
The lyrics to The Gaslight Anthem's "Songs for Teenagers" explore the themes of self-destructive behavior, seeking validation in the wrong places, and the disappointment that comes when our expectations and desires are not met. The singer of the song seems lost and directionless, indulging in drugs and dangerous sexual encounters in an effort to escape the mundane reality of his life. He craves fame and success but finds himself stuck in Naples, which could represent a metaphorical dead-end.
Despite the character's reckless behavior, there is a sense of resignation and acceptance in the repeated refrain of "It's okay, I'm all right. I'll be okay." This could either signify a genuine attempt to move on from the mistakes of the past or a lack of motivation to change. The line "Let it go, let it go, all the way down, 'til there's nowhere left to fall" further adds to the sense of hopelessness, suggesting that the character has already hit rock bottom.
The lyrics are delivered in a half-sung, half-spoken style that emphasizes the introspective and confessional tone of the song. Overall, "Songs for Teenagers" is a poignant exploration of the struggles and disappointments that come with youth and finding one's place in the world.
Line by Line Meaning
Looking for love in all the wrong places,
I searched for love in all the wrong places instead of looking for it in the right places.
Wanted to be famous but ended up in Naples.
I had a dream to be famous but ended up stuck in a place I don't want to be in.
Love is not the answer, I'm in love with this stuff.
I realized love isn't the answer, but I found myself in love with something else instead.
I spent every last dime in the backseat of a stranger's truck.
I ended up broke after spending all my money on something I shouldn't have.
It's okay, I'm all right.
Despite everything, I'm doing okay.
I'll be okay.
I know I'll be okay, even if things are tough right now.
First time It felt like I was gonna die,
I felt like I was going to die for the first time.
But I've gotten pretty good at telling myself it's fine.
Despite feeling like I'm going to die, I've learned to tell myself that everything is fine.
Anna talks me down and gives me sips from her beer,
My friend Anna helps calm me down and share her beer with me.
Head pounding reveille, how did I get here?
My head is pounding and I can't believe how I got myself into this situation.
Let it go, let it go, all the way down, 'til there's nowhere left to fall.
I need to let it all go and hit rock bottom before I can rise back up again.
It's a shame, all the ways we build ourselves up, just to let each other down.
It's sad how we work hard to build ourselves up, only to disappoint each other.
I was looking for drugs in all the wrong places,
I looked for drugs in all the wrong places instead of realizing it wasn't the answer.
Felt like a change coming but I couldn't face it.
I sensed a change was coming, but I was too scared to confront it.
I tried to keep my cool when I finally made it home,
I tried to act calm when I arrived home, despite the chaos that happened before.
I had a blood shot excuse for every lie I ever told.
I had a terrible excuse for every lie I've ever told, and it was clear to see.
Last night is all a blur to me,
I don't recall much from last night because I was too messed up.
I don't remember anything,
I can't recall what happened, regardless of how hard I try.
But I vaguely recall waking up alone.
All I recall is waking up alone after everything that happened.
Baby, I'm all right. And I'll be okay.
Despite feeling alone, I'll be okay and I know things will get better.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@thegreenbulbasaur
Glad to be here once again
@Djaybird
amazing song, so glad they recorded this version!
@sierrasix2003
Best cover of a song ever made. Original version lacks the raw emotion that this version has