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"
Wherefore Art Thou Elvis?
The Gaslight Anthem Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I was the salt of the earth, I was hard
The last of the independents
And in the breath from my chest I was blowing kerosene
My lips and fingertips were stone, I wore my heart on my jeans
I sang the blues like the dogs left too long in the street
I still sing the blues with the dogs
And I got half a mind to let it all burn up in this fire
I've had burning through my veins since I first learned to cry
I'd watch this whole night come down and never miss her again
I never felt right and never fit in walkin' in my own skin
Walkin' in my own skin
Now I got scars like the number of stars
My mind's full of vipers
I got the dust of the desert in my bones
Comin' through the amplifiers
And in the minor chord fall and the fourth and the fifth
It's a broken Hallelujah and a pain in my fist
I wash my hands like the man with the blood on his teeth
Over and over without relief
And I got nothin' for you darlin' but a story to tell
About the rain on the pavement and the sound as it fell
I'd watch this whole night come down and never miss her again
I never felt right and never fit in
Walkin' in my old man shoes, with my scientist heart
I got a fever and a beaker and a shot in the dark
I need a Cadillac ride, I need a soft summer night
Say a prayer for my soul, Señorita
Walkin' in my old man shoes, with my scientist heart
I got a fever and a beaker and a shot in the dark
I need a Cadillac ride, I need a soft summer night
Say a prayer for my soul, Señorita
'Cause I've been dying out here in the cold and the snow
Got a picture of you, Mama, to remind me of home
On the hood of a Dodge on a Saturday night
Say a prayer for my soul, Señorita
The Gaslight Anthem's song "Wherefore Art Thou Elvis" tells the story of a person who is rebellious, independent, and deeply passionate about music. The lyrics describe a person who grew up tough and learned the hard way about life and love. The person sings about his scars, both physical and emotional, and how he feels like an outsider, "walking in my own skin." He sings about the pain and the blues, and hints at the burning fire inside him that could consume him at any moment.
The lyrics also describe the person's love of music and how it is a part of him. He sings about the blues like he was born to it and how it is like blowing kerosene. The music is a part of his soul, and he identifies with the dogs that sing the blues. He also sings about the minor chord fall and the fourth and fifth, showing his understanding of music theory and how music can express pain and heartbreak.
In conclusion, "Wherefore Art Thou Elvis" is a song about independence, passion, and the longings of the soul, set to the background of music and the blues.
Line by Line Meaning
I cut my teeth on the stone of a teenage romance
I learned the harsh realities of love and heartbreak at a young age
I was the salt of the earth, I was hard
I was down-to-earth and strong-willed
The last of the independents
I was fiercely independent and refused to conform
And in the breath from my chest I was blowing kerosene
I had a fiery passion burning inside me
My lips and fingertips were stone, I wore my heart on my jeans
I was tough on the outside, but my emotions were always on display
I sang the blues like the dogs left too long in the street
I sang with raw emotion and pain, like a dog howling in the streets
I still sing the blues with the dogs
I still feel the same pain and sing with the same intensity
And I got half a mind to let it all burn up in this fire
I feel like burning everything down and starting anew
I've had burning through my veins since I first learned to cry
I've always had a restless energy within me
I'd watch this whole night come down and never miss her again
I am tired of dwelling on the past and want to move on
I never felt right and never fit in walkin' in my own skin
I've always felt like an outsider in my own life
Now I got scars like the number of stars
I have been through a lot and my scars are countless
My mind's full of vipers
My thoughts are dangerous and twisted
I got the dust of the desert in my bones
I carry the weight of the past with me
Comin' through the amplifiers
My pain and emotions are amplified through my music
It's a broken Hallelujah and a pain in my fist
My music is an imperfect redemption and a physical expression of my emotions
I wash my hands like the man with the blood on his teeth
I can't shake off the feeling of guilt and regret
Over and over without relief
I can't escape my past mistakes
And I got nothin' for you darlin' but a story to tell
All I have to offer is my experiences and emotions
About the rain on the pavement and the sound as it fell
My stories are personal and relatable
Walkin' in my old man shoes, with my scientist heart
I feel like an old soul in a young body, with a logical and analytical mind
I got a fever and a beaker and a shot in the dark
I am passionate about science and experimentation, even if it's risky
I need a Cadillac ride, I need a soft summer night
I crave luxury and comfort in the midst of my chaos
Say a prayer for my soul, Señorita
I am asking for help and guidance
'Cause I've been dying out here in the cold and the snow
I have been struggling and suffering
Got a picture of you, Mama, to remind me of home
I remember the comfort and warmth of home through a picture of my mother
On the hood of a Dodge on a Saturday night
I have nostalgic memories of simpler times
Say a prayer for my soul, Señorita
I am reaching out for help and guidance once again
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BRIAN FALLON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind