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"
Stay Vicious
The Gaslight Anthem Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I don't sleep at all anymore
And the arms that used to hold me
Well now they done me harm
And I feel just like a murderer
And I feel just like a gun
I've been shakin' in the hands of somebody
Who's finally had enough
As you step out into the city
No one to find you or recognize
As your black heels kick out the beat
Of my heart in perfect time
Singing la la la la la lala la
Look at you saving my life
Singing la la la la la lala la
Tonight you're saving my life, yeah
Now I've had the saints and patience
And I wait on the telephone
I have bills for this
Tabs for that
Something that used to resemble a soul
So won't anybody take my hand
And won't anybody ease my ache
And I still love rock 'n roll
And I still call somebody baby
As you step out into the city
No one to find you or recognize
As your black heels kick out the beat
Of my heart in perfect time
Singing la la la la la la la la
Look at you saving my life
Singing la la la la la lala la
Tonight you're saving my life, yeah
As you step out into the city
No one to find you or recognize
As your black heels kick out the beat
Of my heart in perfect time
Singing la la la la la la la la
Look at you saving my life
Singing la la la la la lala la
Tonight you're saving my life, yeah
Singing la la la la la la la la
Lean on the end of the knife
Singing la la la la la la la la
Tonight you're saving my life, yeah
The Gaslight Anthem's Stay Vicious is a track that talks about feeling like a stranger in one's own life. The song opens up with the singer talking about how they don’t feel like themselves. They don’t sleep at night and the person who used to hold them has harmed them. The singer in this story starts to feel like a gun, like a murderer who is used by someone, who has had enough, to do his dirty work, which only adds to their inner turmoil.
The song progresses beautifully, and we see the singer asking for help. They have lost everything, from their soul to their patience, and they are alone. The singer still loves rock 'n’ roll and craves love. In the second verse, the chorus hits in and changes the tone of the song to a more positive one. The singer sees someone stepping into the city, and the beat of their heart kicks in perfect time with the black heels of their savior. The chorus is catchy and well written, and despite the singer's hardships, they are filled with hope.
The song, while it may seem straightforward, is littered with metaphors and is open to interpretation. On the surface, it's a song about hope, self-discovery, and finding love. However, on a deeper level, it's a song about feeling lost, feeling like a stranger in one's life, and the importance of someone saving you from yourself.
Line by Line Meaning
Well I feel just like a stranger
I feel disconnected and lost in my own life.
I don't sleep at all anymore
I am unable to find peace and rest.
And the arms that used to hold me
The people I used to rely on have hurt me.
Well now they done me harm
They have inflicted emotional pain upon me.
And I feel just like a murderer
I am overwhelmed with guilt and remorse.
And I feel just like a gun
I am a weapon ready to fire at any moment.
I've been shakin' in the hands of somebody
I have been under the control of someone else's will.
Who's finally had enough
They have reached their limit and are letting go of me.
As you step out into the city
As you venture into the world outside.
No one to find you or recognize
No one to welcome you or acknowledge your presence.
As your black heels kick out the beat
As you walk confidently, creating rhythm with every step.
Of my heart in perfect time
Of my feelings, in sync with the energy you exude.
Singing la la la la la lala la
Expressing a feeling of joy and freedom.
Look at you saving my life
Your arrival has brought relief and a sense of security.
Tonight you're saving my life, yeah
You are the light in the darkness of my current situation.
Now I've had the saints and patience
I have tried to remain virtuous and endure the hardships.
And I wait on the telephone
I am waiting for a call or a sign of hope.
I have bills for this
I have financial obligations that weigh heavy on me.
Tabs for that
I owe debts and expenses for various things.
Something that used to resemble a soul
I feel as though I have lost a part of myself.
So won't anybody take my hand
I am asking for assistance and guidance from anyone.
And won't anybody ease my ache
I am hoping someone can alleviate my emotional pain.
And I still love rock 'n roll
I still have a passion for my favorite music despite my struggles.
And I still call somebody baby
I still have a desire for love and affection from someone.
Lean on the end of the knife
Risking danger and harm due to desperation.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BRIAN FALLON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@sava_carterslade11
Well I feel just like a stranger
I don't sleep at all anymore
And the arms that used to hold me
Well now they done me harm
And I feel just like a murderer
And I feel just like a gun
I've been shakin' in the hands of somebody
Who's finally had enough
As you step out into the city
No one to find you or recognize
As your black heels kick out the beat
Of my heart in perfect time
Singing la la la la la lala la
Look at you saving my life
Singing la la la la la lala la
Tonight you're saving my life, yeah
Now I've had the saints and patience
And I wait on the telephone
I have bills for this
Tabs for that
Something that used to resemble a soul
So won't anybody take my hand
And won't anybody ease my ache
And I still love rock 'n roll
And I still call somebody baby
As you step out into the city
No one to find you or recognize
As your black heels kick out the beat
Of my heart in perfect time
Singing la la la la la la la la
Look at you saving my life
Singing la la la la la lala la
Tonight you're saving my life, yeah
As you step out into the city
No one to find you or recognize
As your black heels kick out the beat
Of my heart in perfect time
Singing la la la la la la la la
Look at you saving my life
Singing la la la la la lala la
Tonight you're saving my life, yeah
Singing la la la la la la la la
Lean on the end of the knife
Singing la la la la la la la la
Tonight you're saving my life, yeah
@blackbutterfly5850
Just found this song and I felt this it was written and sung just for me. ❣️😊
@jtv11
I think this is my favourite from the 3 songs they have put out ahead of the album launch. All three tracks have really lifted my expectations to new heights.
@dustindow4480
My all time favorite gaslight song.. been a die hard fan for years but this song.. man o man this to me is the best song to lead off such an amazing album... so under appreciated in the gaslight anthem song list...
@Benedictsayswords
This is going to sound so great live!
@lirazel2001
Love Brian's voice especially on this song and fantastic combination of voice/guitar/drums.
@scrivster
This is awesome. It'll be amazing live!
@amysteele8307
Just discovered this band, they sound like a band kept secret from the 80's.
@wesleygehman5325
So pumped to hear more loving the change up in their sound!
@videopro234
So far i'm loving all the three songs, and the three different sounds. Looking forward for this album more than any other one this year.
@alexasaltz4229
This band deserves much greater recognition. Whenever I play anything they've done everyone always asks who.