Belying their grim name, The Gloomies were formed in a sun-bleached surf town in southern California. Their début single (LSD, released late 2015) illustrates this strange paradox, mixing gritty realism and yearning optimism in equal measure. Returning to his hometown in 2014 after a stint in New York, lead singer Andy Craig lived out of a suitcase for much of the next year. The Gloomies’ single documents this period of transition, the dread of uncertainty ultimately giving way to the promise of the future.
The Gloomies features Andy Craig, a one-time local who was based in NYC in 2009 when he began a two year stint with psych-pop band Guards, which toured with Alt-J and Cults and played the Coachella, Lollapalooza, and Primavera festivals. In 2013, he launched Sacco, which followed a more hypnotic groove, though that band played its last gig in November 2014.
After returning to San Diego, Craig formed the Gloomies, who were signed to Thrill Me Records. That label has a kind of San Diego/NYC axis, with label co-owner Cory Stier based here, while Gabe Rodriguez is in NYC.
As of 2016, the band included Andy Craig, Chris Trombley (who played with Craig in Sacco), and brothers Grant and Blake Martz (Idyll Wild).
Fire Escape
The Gloomies Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
dripping off my fire escape
I like the way it tastes
as the rain drops fall on my face
I'm stuck inside, I still can't get out
Waiting for these lights to go out
Some day I'll get away, one day I'll get away
One day I'll get away, some day I'll get away
Forget about all the things that made me wanna stay
I search from day to day
But I still can't see past the gray
Seems like I can't behave
When I'm stuck inside this animal cage
Waiting for these lights to go out
The hardest part is waking up now
Some day I'll get away, one day I'll get away
Forget about all the things that made me wanna stay
One day I'll get away, some day I'll get away
I'll take you away when the sun goes down
But you keep me away when the lights go out
Some day I'll get away, one day I'll get away
Forget about all the things that made me wanna stay
One day I'll get away, some day I'll get away
The lyrics of The Gloomies' song "Fire Escape" evoke a feeling of entrapment and longing for escape. The singer is stuck inside, watching the rain falling off their fire escape and longing for freedom. The rain becomes a source of comfort, as they taste it on their face and revel in its presence. However, despite this momentary relief, they are still consumed by a sense of being trapped, unable to see past the "gray" and the cage that surrounds them.
The chorus of the song emphasizes the hope for escape, with the repeated refrain, "Some day I'll get away, one day I'll get away, forget about all the things that made me wanna stay." The singer is looking for a way out, a chance to forget the things that are keeping them trapped and to move on to something new.
The lyrics of "Fire Escape" capture a feeling of restlessness and the desire for change, something that many people can relate to. The rain serves as a metaphor for the emotions and turmoil that are brewing inside the singer, with the hope that someday they will find a way to escape and move on to something better.
Line by Line Meaning
Feels like it rains for days
It seems like a long time of continuous rain.
dripping off my fire escape
The rainwater is falling from the fire escape outside the window.
I like the way it tastes
The singer enjoys the taste of raindrops on their face.
as the rain drops fall on my face
The raindrops are landing on the artist's face and they are enjoying the sensation.
I'm stuck inside, I still can't get out
The artist is trapped indoors and unable to leave.
Waiting for these lights to go out
The singer is waiting for darkness so they can leave the building undetected.
Some day I'll get away, one day I'll get away
The singer is confident that they will eventually escape their current situation.
Forget about all the things that made me wanna stay
The artist will try to forget about anything that might make them second-guess their decision to leave.
I search from day to day
The artist is constantly searching for a way out of their situation.
But I still can't see past the grey
The artist is struggling to see hope or find a way out of their bleak situation.
Seems like I can't behave
The singer is feeling restless and unable to remain calm or composed.
When I'm stuck inside this animal cage
The artist feels confined, like an animal in a cage.
The hardest part is waking up now
The singer finds it difficult to face reality and get out of bed each day.
I'll take you away when the sun goes down
The singer plans to leave with someone after dark.
But you keep me away when the lights go out
Someone is keeping the singer from leaving when it is dark and they have the opportunity to escape.
Contributed by Bella O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Little Britches
One of the best songs I’ve ever heard
Mitchell Leventhal
This song is perfection.Literally just listened to it 40 50 times.Not to overstate it but you touched the gods on this one.And I usually don't like videos...love peace and hairgrease.
Wordpress Avançado
Love this song
Michelle Trudeau
You guys rock!
MrCharlieBay
Loving the sound!
Rush21129
love it, love all of it if you ever make it to texas ill be there.
Todd F. Packer
You and me both. H town represent! lol
Gnarly Gooch
I dig it.
Nick Juarez
damn this music is amazing
BrokenGun101
Love your shit man keep it up :)