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"
Sweet Morphine
The Gaslight Anthem Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
With your black heart raging over me.
Has the blue sky seen the same trouble as we?
Tell me true, my love, the restless sea.
There are three things never satisfied
The grave, your heart, and mine.
But I will hold you in my arms,
Underneath the bounding main tonight.
And by now, you must've found better than me
I'm sure Jupiter and Orpheus
Have charmed you off your feet.
By now, I'm sure you've gotten over me.
While you're kissing clouds and gods,
I'll be crawling on my knees.
Sweet morphine.
Sweet morphine.
And yes, I've come to know you are the endless night.
High above my love, and the constellation light.
Waving your fingertips of sleep over the dark on the face of the deep.
Endless night, I know you well, indeed.
By now, you must've found better than me
I'm sure Jupiter and Orpheus
Have charmed you off your feet.
By now, I'm sure you've gotten over me.
While you're kissing clouds and gods,
I'll be crawling on my knees.
Sweet morphine.
Sweet morphine.
By now, you must've found better than me
I'm sure Jupiter and Orpheus
Have charmed you off your feet.
Oh, by now, I'm sure you've gotten over me.
While you're kissing clouds and gods,
I'll be crawling on my knees.
Sweet morphine.
Sweet morphine.
The song "Sweet Morphine" by The Gaslight Anthem is a melancholic ballad that speaks about a lost love and the lingering pain that comes with it. The lyrics are written from the perspective of the person who has been left behind and is struggling to deal with the fact that their love has moved on. The first verse of the song paints a picture of the person's love as a "restless sea" with a "black heart raging" over them. This portrayal suggests that their relationship was tumultuous and unstable, leaving the singer to wonder if the "blue sky" has seen the same trouble. The next verse delves deeper into the singer's feelings, stating that "there are three things never satisfied - the grave, your heart, and mine." This line insinuates that despite the heartbreak, they will continue to hold onto their love, even if it is just a memory. However, they also acknowledge that they are holding onto something that will never be enough, "Where rust and sorrow lie / Underneath the bounding main tonight."
The chorus shows the singer's resignation to the fact that their love has moved on and is no longer with them. They admit that their love interest has probably found someone better and is mingling with the gods while they are left behind, crawling on their knees, seeking comfort in the form of "Sweet Morphine." The final verse refers to the love interest as the "endless night," suggesting that their love was powerful, but ultimately emotionally draining. The singer is aware that they can never let go of their love, even though it has caused them pain. They acknowledge their deep understanding of their love interest, but also of their own personal struggles in trying to let go of something that has already ended.
Overall, "Sweet Morphine" is a song that expresses the complexities of heartbreak and the internal struggles that come with it. It showcases how love can sometimes be harmful, yet the inability to let go of it can be even more detrimental.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh my darling, you are the restless sea.
You are a tumultuous force that constantly shifts and changes, always in a state of unrest.
With your black heart raging over me.
Your dark and troubled heart is constantly causing conflict and chaos in my life.
Has the blue sky seen the same trouble as we?
I wonder if even the serene and peaceful blue sky has witnessed the turbulence and strife of our relationship.
Tell me true, my love, the restless sea.
Please be honest with me, and confess the truth about your wild and unpredictable nature.
There are three things never satisfied
There are certain things in life that can never be fully content or fulfilled.
The grave, your heart, and mine.
These three things - death, your troubled heart, and my own unsatisfied desires - can never be completely satisfied or at peace.
But I will hold you in my arms,
Despite this knowledge, I still long to embrace and comfort you.
Where rust and sorrow lie
Even in the midst of decay and sadness, I will still hold onto you tightly.
Underneath the bounding main tonight.
Tonight, in this stormy and tumultuous world, we will cling to each other and weather the storm together.
And by now, you must've found better than me
I assume that by now, you have moved on to someone better and more stable than me.
I'm sure Jupiter and Orpheus
These legendary figures from mythology - known for their charm and alluring qualities - have certainly captured your heart.
Have charmed you off your feet.
Their irresistible charm has swept you off your feet and away from me.
While you're kissing clouds and gods,
You are enjoying a blissful and heavenly existence, free from the troubles and worries of our former relationship.
I'll be crawling on my knees.
Meanwhile, I will be desperately trying to win back your love and affection, even if it means groveling and crawling on my hands and knees.
Sweet morphine.
In my desperation and pain, I turn to the temporary relief of drugs - specifically, the addictive and numbing effects of morphine.
And yes, I've come to know you are the endless night.
I have finally come to accept that you represent a never-ending cycle of darkness and turmoil, with no hope of finding peace or stability with you.
High above my love, and the constellation light.
You exist on a higher plane, beyond the reach of my love and the light of the stars above us.
Waving your fingertips of sleep over the dark on the face of the deep.
You exert a hypnotic and dreamlike influence over the turbulent and murky depths of our relationship.
Endless night, I know you well, indeed.
I have come to understand and recognize the depth of your darkness and turbulence, even though it continues to haunt me.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BRIAN FALLON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Strange Wayfaring Stranger
This is one of my favorite songs of all time. Of course, quite a few songs from them are so relatable to me. I used to always say that Brian was writing my life story. I'm so happy they are coming back. This means so much to me.
SharpWalkers
This, Selected Poems and Get Hurt are my 3 favorites of the album!
TheFenderMan11
This is my favourite song on the album. The Gaslight Anthem never disappoints!
Liam Noon
Such a Powerful song from TGA, favourite on the album
Accipiter22
How on Earth was this not on the main cd? To me this is one of their 5 or 6 best tracks. My goodness
Strange Wayfaring Stranger
It's on mine haha.
William Jacobs
Favorite song from a great album. Hope they come back to the Norva soon.
Spaceman
Best on the album for sure
Take It Easy - I'm Easily Offended
Can't wait to see them at 1045's Winter Jam!
Sarbjit Badyal
Great band will headline a fest next year