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
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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 "Wherefore Art Thou Elvis" is a song that delves into themes of identity, loss, and a search for purpose. The opening lines immediately set the tone, with the mention of a "teenage romance" and being the "last of the independents." The singer is someone who has always felt unique and different, and has had to face the hard realities of life at a young age. He compares himself to a "dog left too long in the street," someone who has experienced a lot of pain and is still trying to make sense of it.
The chorus is particularly poignant, with the singer expressing a desire to let it all burn up in a fire, to let go of the pain and the past. He acknowledges that he has always been different, never felt like he fit in, and has struggled to come to terms with this. The minor chords and broken Hallelujah reflect this sense of pain and loss, and the repetition of "walkin' in my own skin" adds to the feeling of being trapped in one's own body, unable to escape or find solace.
Overall, "Wherefore Art Thou Elvis" is a powerful and emotional song that speaks to the human experience of struggling to find one's place in the world. It is a reminder that even when things seem hopeless, there is always hope for a brighter future.
Line by Line Meaning
I cut my teeth on the stone of a teenage romance
I learned everything I know about love from a young, inexperienced relationship.
I was the salt of the earth, I was hard
I was a tough, no-nonsense kind of guy.
The last of the independents
I was the only one of my kind, a true individual.
And in the breath from my chest I was blowing kerosene
I was ready to ignite and explode with passion and intensity.
My lips and fingertips were stone, I wore my heart on my jeans
I had a hardened exterior, but my emotions were evident through my actions and clothing.
I sang the blues like the dogs left too long in the street
I sang with the same sadness and desperation as a stray dog wandering the lonely streets.
I still sing the blues with the dogs
I am still connected to my roots and the feeling of being an outsider.
And I got half a mind to let it all burn up in this fire
I am willing to let everything go up in flames, because the heat of the moment is too strong to resist.
I've had burning through my veins since I first learned to cry
A fiery passion has always flowed within me, even from a young age.
I'd watch this whole night come down and never miss her again
I am willing to sacrifice everything for the chance to feel alive and passionate once again.
I never felt right and never fit in walking' in my own skin
I have always felt like an outsider, never quite comfortable in my own skin.
Now I got scars like the number of stars
I have been through many hardships and struggles, leaving me with many physical and emotional scars.
My mind's full of vipers
My mind is constantly filled with negative and self-destructive thoughts and emotions.
I got the dust of the desert in my bones
I have been through so much that it feels like the harsh, dry desert is a part of me.
Comin' through the amplifiers
My music is a reflection of my struggles and hardships, amplified through the singers.
And in the minor chord fall and the fourth and the fifth
My music is filled with melancholy and sadness.
It's a broken Hallelujah and a pain in my fist
My music is a mix of heartfelt praise and aching pain.
I wash my hands like the man with the blood on his teeth
I have done things I regret and feel the need to wash away the guilt and shame.
Over and over without relief
No matter how many times I try to wash away my guilt, it still haunts me.
And I got nothing' for you darlin' but a story to tell
I have nothing material to offer you, but I have a lifetime of experiences and emotions to share with you.
About the rain on the pavement and the sound as it fell
I can share stories of the small things in life, like the sound of rain hitting the pavement.
Walkin' in my old man shoes, with my scientist heart
I feel like an old soul, wise beyond my years, with a logical and scientific mindset.
I got a fever and a beaker and a shot in the dark
My passions are a mix of science and the unknown, leading me down unexpected paths.
I need a Cadillac ride, I need a soft summer night
I yearn for the finer things in life, a symbol of my success and freedom.
Say a prayer for my soul, Señorita
I am asking for forgiveness and a new beginning.
'Cause I've been dying out here in the cold and the snow
I have been suffering in the harsh reality of life, feeling like I am freezing to death.
Got a picture of you, Mama, to remind me of home
I keep a reminder of my past and the love and comfort of home close to me at all times.
On the hood of a Dodge on a Saturday night
Even in the midst of my struggles, I still find moments of joy and pleasure.
Say a prayer for my soul, Señorita
I am still hoping for redemption and a happy ending.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BRIAN FALLON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind