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 Weatherman
The Gaslight Anthem Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And I put aside my strongest desires that ruled me before
And I took all the pain that I could find
'Til I exploded in electric light
Now I wander the open skies waiting on the storm
And the harvest moon offers its light
To the lovers still in love with the night
Trying to read you
Trying to read you
We wanted everything and more and all the world under the knife
And we burned into something so bright, it could escape from this town
Though it seems foolishness now
I'd do it all again and still somehow
If in the end, I end with you, that's worth it all
And the harvest moon offers its light
To the lovers still in love with the night
I am a weatherman watching the skies, trying to read you
And she dreams of a life without rain
But that's something more than my two hands can bring
I am a weatherman stationed in vain, trying to please you
And I don't believe you belong to me
And I don't wanna love you go
So I wait for the signs, I keep on watching the night
And I try with all my might just to read you
And the harvest moon offers its light
To the lovers still in love with the night
I am a weatherman watching the skies, trying to read you
And she dreams of a life without rain
But that's something more than my two hands can bring
I am a weatherman stationed in vain, trying to please you
Trying to please you
The lyrics to The Gaslight Anthem's song "The Weatherman" tell a story of longing and unrequited love, with the singer taking on the metaphorical role of a weatherman. The song begins with the singer reflecting on their life after the war, where they let go of their desires and embraced pain until they "exploded in electric light." They now wander the open skies, waiting for the storm, which can be interpreted as a metaphor for the chaos and uncertainty of their emotions.
Throughout the song, the singer acknowledges their love for someone else, who is still in love with the night, symbolizing their inaccessible and mysterious nature. As a weatherman, the singer tries to read and understand this person, hoping to please them. They dream of a life without rain, a life without challenges or difficulties. However, the singer recognizes that fulfilling this dream may be beyond their capabilities, represented by the limitation of their two hands.
Despite the doubts and uncertainties, the singer is willing to go through everything again and endure it all if it means ending up with the person they love. They are willing to wait for signs and keep watching the night, trying their best to understand and read the person's feelings.
Line by Line Meaning
I didn't keep a lot of souvenirs after the war
I didn't hold onto many mementos from the past
And I put aside my strongest desires that ruled me before
I let go of my most dominant ambitions
And I took all the pain that I could find
I embraced all the suffering that came my way
'Til I exploded in electric light
Until I burst into vibrant energy
Now I wander the open skies waiting on the storm
Now I roam freely, anticipating the chaos
And the harvest moon offers its light
The full moon illuminates the night
To the lovers still in love with the night
To those who cherish the darkness as a symbol of love
I am a weatherman watching the skies
I am an observer monitoring the heavens
Trying to read you
Attempting to comprehend your true intentions
We wanted everything and more and all the world under the knife
We craved boundless desires and complete control over everything
And we burned into something so bright, it could escape from this town
We transformed into something so remarkable that it could transcend this place
Though it seems foolishness now
Although it appears foolish in hindsight
I'd do it all again and still somehow
I would repeat it all, even in some mysterious way
If in the end, I end with you, that's worth it all
If ultimately I end up with you, it would be worth everything
And she dreams of a life without rain
She yearns for a life devoid of hardships
But that's something more than my two hands can bring
Unfortunately, it exceeds my abilities to provide
I am a weatherman stationed in vain, trying to please you
I am a helpless observer, desperately attempting to satisfy you
And I don't believe you belong to me
And I don't think you are mine
And I don't wanna love you go
And I don't want to let go of my love for you
So I wait for the signs, I keep on watching the night
Therefore, I patiently await indications, continuously observing the darkness
And I try with all my might just to read you
And I make a strenuous effort to decipher your true nature
Trying to please you
Striving to satisfy your desires
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Brian Michael Fallon
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind