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"
The Backseat
The Gaslight Anthem Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In the disenchantment lane
The ideal angels twist and turn
And ask forgiveness for future mistakes
But you and I, we've been through this
Maybe a hundred times before
Always hitchin' rides with strangers
But you know the summer always brought in
That wild and reckless breeze
And in the backseats we just tried to find
Some room for our knees
And in the backseats we just tried to find some room to breathe
And in the backseats we just tried to find some room to breathe
And in the wild desert sun
We drove straight on through the night
We rode the fever out of Austin
Dreamed of California lights
Come July, we'll ride the Ferris wheel
Go 'round and 'round and 'round
And if you never let me go
Well, I will never let you down
And you know the summer always brought in
All those wild and reckless breezes
And in the backseats we just tried to find
Some room for our knees
And in the backseats we just tried to find some room to breathe
And in the backseats we just tried to find some room to breathe
And these cowboys all go crazy in the heat
Chasin' the lights and all the girls along the Santa Ana streets
They're just dyin' to meet
It meant nothin' to me
You know the summer always brought in
That wild and reckless breeze
And in the backseats we just tried to find
Some room for our knees
You know the summer always brought in
That wild and reckless breeze
And in the backseats we just tried to find
Some room for our knees
You know the summer always brought in
That wild and reckless breeze
And in the backseats we just tried to find
Some room for our knees, hey
The Gaslight Anthem's "The Backseat" is a nostalgic song about youthful freedom and adventure, set against a backdrop of burned-out cars and the open road. The lyrics paint a picture of two people who have been through plenty of ups and downs together - "Maybe a hundred times before" - and who are still seeking something more. They ride "with strangers that papa warned us about before" because they're searching for that wild and reckless breeze that only the summer season can bring. Despite the heat and the madness of the season, the characters remain determined to find some room to breathe in the backseats of their car.
The repetition of the phrase "some room for our knees" is a poignant reminder of the cramped and uncomfortable nature of the backseat, but also reflects the characters' refusal to give up on their quest for freedom and fun. The final verse introduces the idea of cowboys chasing lights and girls along the Santa Ana streets, serving as a reminder of the transitory nature of youth and the endless possibilities that come with it. Ultimately, "The Backseat" is a song about the search for meaning and connection amidst the chaos of life, and the enduring bonds that keep us going when everything else falls apart.
Line by Line Meaning
In the back seats of burned out cars
The singer and a companion find solace and adventure in the abandoned, destroyed remnants of society's excesses.
In the disenchantment lane
The setting is one of disaffection and disillusionment, as the characters struggle to find meaning and purpose amidst the wreckage of their environment.
The ideal angels twist and turn
The characters yearn for purity and forgiveness, but realize that they are flawed and unlikely to ever achieve true absolution.
And ask forgiveness for future mistakes
Despite their efforts to make amends for their past misdeeds, the characters are resigned to the inevitability of future errors and lapses in judgment.
But you and I, we've been through this
The artist and their companion are familiar with this cycle of hedonistic adventure followed by inevitable disillusionment and regret.
Maybe a hundred times before
The characters have repeated this pattern so often that it has lost its novelty and excitement, becoming a routine rather than a source of thrills.
Always hitchin' rides with strangers
The characters are willing to take risks and trust strangers in pursuit of new experiences and sensations.
That papa warned us about before
The artist's father cautioned them against the dangers of engaging in such reckless behavior, but they continue to do so anyway.
But you know the summer always brought in
The arrival of summer represents a time of excitement and potential for the characters, a chance to escape the monotony and disappointment of their daily lives.
That wild and reckless breeze
The unpredictable nature of summer and its associated adventures is thrilling and liberating for the characters.
And in the backseats we just tried to find
The limited space available in the backseats of cars forces the characters to be physically close and intimate with each other, seeking comfort and connection amidst the chaos of their lives.
Some room for our knees
Even in the midst of passion and excitement, the characters struggle to find physical comfort and ease in their cramped, uncomfortable surroundings.
And in the wild desert sun
The characters venture out into the harsh, unforgiving landscape of the desert, facing the elements and the unknown with a sense of daring and bravado.
We drove straight on through the night
The characters push themselves to the brink of exhaustion and endurance, determined to experience all that life has to offer regardless of the consequences.
We rode the fever out of Austin
The characters immerse themselves in the excitement and energy of the city, chasing after their desires and passions without restraint.
Dreamed of California lights
The characters envision a better, brighter future in the glamorous and alluring state of California, a place of endless possibilities and opportunities.
Come July, we'll ride the Ferris wheel
The characters look forward to another summer of adventure and excitement, planning to ride a carnival attraction as a symbol of their continued youthful enthusiasm and daring spirit.
Go 'round and 'round and 'round
The repetition and circularity of the Ferris wheel ride represents the endless cycle of exhilaration and disillusionment that the characters experience in their lives.
And if you never let me go
Despite the challenges and difficulties they face, the singer's companion remains a source of steadfast support and love, providing a constant anchor amidst the chaos and uncertainty of their existence.
Well, I will never let you down
The artist pledges to reciprocate their companion's loyalty and devotion, standing by them through thick and thin and never abandoning them.
And these cowboys all go crazy in the heat
The artist observes the reckless and wild behavior of others in their environment, recognizing a shared sense of daring and excitement among their fellow adventurers.
Chasin' the lights and all the girls along the Santa Ana streets
The characters pursue the trappings of a hedonistic lifestyle, seeking out partying, romance, and thrills as a means of feeling alive and free.
They're just dyin' to meet
The characters are seeking connection and excitement in their interactions with others, trying to forge meaningful and intense relationships amidst the transience and instability of their environment.
It meant nothin' to me
The artist reflects on a past encounter or experience that failed to bring them the satisfaction or fulfillment they had hoped for, emphasizing the emptiness and hollowness of their existence.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BRIAN FALLON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
D P3
God Bless TGA. They weather the seasons of our lives maintaining their relevance and ripening in the context of our years...we never out-grow them, only deepen our appreciation for their timeless contribution 🖤
UnsolicitedBirds
This is probably the most important band playing today. TGA is this beacon of where rock has been, where it is now, where it could still go, and it's very exciting. Gaslight is happening now, it's very exciting... this must be what it was like when people first heard bands like Social Distortion and Jawbreaker...
Ramblin tinmez_ T
Tigerpuffer first time hearing Bruce I imagine as well!
Dallas Smith
My thoughts exactly....
RobJGoldE
The look on Alex Rosimillia’s face at the end looking up at the balcony always gets me. Usually he’s really relaxed and just vibing to whatever he’s playing, but in that moment you can see in his face that this particular moment means a lot to him and he’s in awe of it.
Dallas Smith
For me personally, its thats anger, that sadness, that pure raw emotion they put into there music, that describes how I always felt about music. I grew up listening to Seger, Springsteen, Petty, aswell as Social D and Face to Face...And all of those groups have that raw emotion that Gaslight displays...I thank God everyday for giving me the ability to hear, and for letting me listen to the greatest music ever made....
Ramblin tinmez_ T
PapaShongo25 thats how I feel here in Chicago. We got Lake Michigan and my god does this album and band take me back to a Jeep, top town some wild moments on the beach late hours.
Summer always brought it..
Jeffp NM
+Dallas Smith Pretty much the same thing for me... The bands you mention; I've seen all of them but not Gaslight Anthem. I live far away from Jersey now and I don't miss it... But this music... Seen Springsteen 12 times and Social D nine times. Amazing and powerful and passionate bands. I always wondered if "Backseats" was a play on "Backstreets"...
PapaShongo25
As a kid who grew up in Jersey it just feels like every damn song hits so close to home. 1. Spending times with friends at the beach. 2. Chasing tail at said beach 3. Losing friends 4. losing love. It's just so good.
Wartung
If you never let me go, I will never let you down....
His lyrics just have a way of connecting instantly.