The Patient Ferris Wheel
The Gaslight Anthem Lyrics


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Not tonight, not tonight
Honey I, am on fire
I can't feel a single thing but the weight of the wires

Crackin' electric light
Remember baby, we were a stone
And we would sleep where we're fallin'
We would fight about it (fight about it)
We'd fight about it (fight about it)
Then we laughed about it (laughed about it)
And we'd ride on, ride on
Ferris wheel lights on

I'd never felt so strange
Standin' in the Jersey rain
Thinkin' about what an old man said
Maybe I should call me an ambulance

I never felt so strange
Standin' in the poundin' rain
Thinkin' about what my mother once said
Maybe I should call me an ambulance

Not tonight, not tonight
Honey I, am on fire
If we don't come through, they're gonna bury us alive

In this great abyss
Of just what might have been
Where we can take a seat at the bar with the other broken heroes

Where they talk about it (talk about it)
Just talk about it (talk about it)
And do nothin' 'bout it (nothin' 'bout it)
Right on, right on
Ferris wheel lights on

I'd never felt so strange
Standin' in the Jersey rain
Thinkin' about what an old man said
Maybe I should call me an ambulance

I'd never felt so strange
Standin' in the poundin' rain
Thinkin' about what my mother once said
Maybe I should call me an ambulance

I'd never felt so strange
Standin' in the Jersey rain
Thinkin' about what Wagin' Matty said
Maybe I should call me an ambulance

Maybe I should call me an ambulance

I'd never felt so strange
Standin' in the Jersey rain
Thinkin' about what an old man said
Maybe I should call me an ambulance

I'd never felt so strange
Standin' in the poundin' rain
Thinkin' about what my mama always said
Maybe I should call me an ambulance

Carnival lights
Fourth of July
Boardwalk talks
In the dead of night

Always made you smile




Always made you smile
Always made you smile

Overall Meaning

"The Patient Ferris Wheel" by The Gaslight Anthem is a song about feeling disconnected from oneself and the world around them. The first verse describes being numb and disconnected, feeling only the weight of the wires. The second verse references standing in the rain, contemplating calling an ambulance, perhaps suggesting a feeling of hopelessness. The chorus repeats the mantra "not tonight," implying a desire to escape or delay facing difficult realities.


The mention of the Ferris wheel in the title and throughout the song could be interpreted as a metaphor for the ups and downs of life. The line "we were a stone and we would sleep where we're falling" evokes the feeling of being out of control and at the mercy of life's twists and turns. The bridge describes a place for "broken heroes" to come together and talk about their troubles, but ultimately, nothing is done about it.


Overall, the song captures a sense of feeling lost and uncertain, but also hints at the possibility of finding solace in shared experiences.


Line by Line Meaning

Not tonight, not tonight
Tonight is not the night. Something is expected to happen and it is being postponed.


Honey I, am on fire
The singer is feeling hot or overwhelmed, and likely in a state of heightened emotion.


I can't feel a single thing but the weight of the wires
The singer is feeling disconnected or isolated from their surroundings, and can only sense the heaviness of the wires that surround them.


Crackin' electric light
The light around them is electric, and perhaps flickering or unstable.


Remember baby, we were a stone
The artist recalls a time when they and their loved one were a strong unit, unbreakable and unyielding.


And we would sleep where we're fallin'
The singer and their loved one were so close that they could sleep wherever they happened to be, not needing a bed or structure to feel comfortable.


We would fight about it (fight about it)
The couple fought about things, perhaps quarreling often.


We'd fight about it (fight about it)
The couple fought about things, perhaps quarreling often.


Then we laughed about it (laughed about it)
After fighting and resolving their issues, the couple would laugh together to make light of the situation.


And we'd ride on, ride on
With their issues resolved, the couple would move forward, continuing on their path.


Ferris wheel lights on
The lights of the ferris wheel shine brightly, symbolizing the ups and downs of life and love.


I'd never felt so strange
The artist is experiencing something unusual or unexpected.


Standin' in the Jersey rain
The singer is standing in the rain in New Jersey, a setting that could indicate a feeling of sadness or uncertainty.


Thinkin' about what an old man said
The singer is contemplating a piece of advice given to them by an older individual.


Maybe I should call me an ambulance
The singer is feeling unwell or in danger of a physical emergency, and is considering seeking medical attention.


In this great abyss
The artist is in a state of confusion or uncertainty, and feels as though they are in a vast void.


Of just what might have been
The artist is contemplating their past and the possibilities that existed for their life.


Where we can take a seat at the bar with the other broken heroes
There are others who have also experienced hardships in life and can share in the singer's struggles.


Where they talk about it (talk about it)
The singer is with others who are discussing their problems and challenges.


Just talk about it (talk about it)
The group is talking about their problems, but not necessarily taking action to resolve them.


And do nothin' 'bout it (nothin' 'bout it)
Despite their discussions, the group is not taking any action to improve their situation.


Right on, right on
Despite the lack of action, the group continues to move forward and face their struggles.


I'd never felt so strange
The singer is once again experiencing an unusual feeling or sensation.


Standin' in the poundin' rain
The artist is still in the rain, which is now described as 'poundin'' rather than just 'Jersey rain.'


Thinkin' about what my mother once said
The singer is recalling wisdom or advice given to them by their mother.


Carnival lights
The lights of the carnival are brightly shining, representing the joy and excitement of a fun atmosphere.


Fourth of July
This line conjures up images of fireworks and patriotism, suggesting a time of celebration and joy.


Boardwalk talks
The boardwalk is a place for leisurely strolls, and the 'talks' suggest conversation and socializing.


In the dead of night
This atmosphere of joy is juxtaposed with a time of night that is typically quiet and somber.


Always made you smile
Regardless of the time or setting, there was a positivity to this experience that brought happiness to the singer and their loved one.


Always made you smile
The experience of being at the carnival, and perhaps of being with the singer's loved one, was always a happy one.




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BRIAN FALLON

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@sava_carterslade11

Not tonight, not tonight
Honey, I am on fire
I can't feel a single thing but the weight of the wires

Crackin' electric like
Remember baby, we were a stone
And we would sleep where we're fallin'

We would fight about it
We'd fight about it
Then we laughed about it
And we'd ride on, ride on
Ferris wheel lights on

I'd never felt so strange
Standin' in the Jersey rain
Thinkin' about what an old man said
Maybe I should call me an ambulance

I never felt so strange
Standing in the poundin' rain
Thinking about what my mother once said
Maybe I should call me an ambulance

Not tonight, not tonight
Honey, I am on fire
If we don't come through, they're gonna bury us alive

In this great abyss
Of just what might have been
Where we can take a seat at the bar with the other broken heroes

Where they talk about it
Just talk about it
And do nothin' about it
Right on, right on
Ferris wheel lights on

I'd never felt so strange
Standin' in the Jersey rain
Thinkin' about what an old man said
Maybe I should call me an ambulance

I never felt so strange
Standing in the poundin' rain
Thinking about what mama always said
Maybe I should call me an ambulance

Carnival lights
4th of July
Boardwalk talks
In the dead of night

Always made you smile
Always made you smile
Always made you smile



All comments from YouTube:

@user-hx4lq5ok7l

My favourite song from 59 sound!!

@williamdonahue7869

Is that Dicky Barrett I hear in the background?! That brings back the high school memories!

@rocker4life318

My favourite song from 59 sound

@Bkesal14

Definitely gaslight's best song

@crk140

Drive

@saiko_1

I still prefer Handwritten, but this is a great song.

@thomasneilly5466

Gashlights best song. Soo soo good live

@kiel1653

Hi im from indonesia..

@sava_carterslade11

Not tonight, not tonight
Honey, I am on fire
I can't feel a single thing but the weight of the wires

Crackin' electric like
Remember baby, we were a stone
And we would sleep where we're fallin'

We would fight about it
We'd fight about it
Then we laughed about it
And we'd ride on, ride on
Ferris wheel lights on

I'd never felt so strange
Standin' in the Jersey rain
Thinkin' about what an old man said
Maybe I should call me an ambulance

I never felt so strange
Standing in the poundin' rain
Thinking about what my mother once said
Maybe I should call me an ambulance

Not tonight, not tonight
Honey, I am on fire
If we don't come through, they're gonna bury us alive

In this great abyss
Of just what might have been
Where we can take a seat at the bar with the other broken heroes

Where they talk about it
Just talk about it
And do nothin' about it
Right on, right on
Ferris wheel lights on

I'd never felt so strange
Standin' in the Jersey rain
Thinkin' about what an old man said
Maybe I should call me an ambulance

I never felt so strange
Standing in the poundin' rain
Thinking about what mama always said
Maybe I should call me an ambulance

Carnival lights
4th of July
Boardwalk talks
In the dead of night

Always made you smile
Always made you smile
Always made you smile

@rocket12920

as much as I love this song, I'm still unsure as to how it got its title.

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