Shortly thereafter they were signed by Go-Kart Records and re-recorded the songs from "A Lesson" and re-released their album with the addition of some new tracks.
At the Fest VII in Gainesville, FL they were approached by Brendan Kelly of The Lawrence Arms and subsequently signed to Red Scare Industries.
They released their Red Scare debut EP "Hold On, Dodge" in 2009.
In April 2010, Chamberlain Waits was released, through Red Scare Records. In March and April they also toured in support of Against Me!.
On May 17, 2011 they announced that they had signed to Epitaph Records. Brett Gurewitz, founder of Epitaph Records and guitarist of Bad Religion said this about the signing of the band:
"These guys play the kind of pure punk rock that I grew up with. They are seriously talented songwriters and I'm happy to welcome them to the Epitaph family. I think the band is a great fit here."
They released their third full length album, On The Impossible Past, on February 21, 2012 via Epitaph Records.
The band currently lives in South Philadelphia, PA.
Band Members:
Tom May
Joe Godino
Greg Barnett
Eric Keen
Lookers
The Menzingers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The way our bodies used to behave
The way we smiled in the moment
Before they permanently froze
But that was the old me and you
When we were both lookers
Lost in a picture frame
The way I smiled in the moment
Before it permanently froze
But that was the old me
I was such a looker in the old days
You little Kerouac
Always running like Dean and Sal
Always waiting on a freight train
Always looking for a story to tell
But that was the old you
You were such a looker in the old days
Sha la la la
Jersey girls are always total heartbreakers
Julie from the Wonder Bar
I still wonder where you are
Cause I know the old you
And you know the old me
I was certain that I'd find her
In the back of the diner
In a cloud full of nicotine
In a teenage memory
That I hold till eternity
Cause the future ain't coming for it
Sha la la la
Jersey girls are always total heartbreakers
Julie from the Wonder Bar
I still wonder where you are
Sha la la la
Jersey girls are always total heartbreakers
Julie from the Wonder Bar
I still wonder where you are
Cause I know the old you
And you know the old me
When we were both lookers
In a 5"x8" black and white
On the night stand of my mind
From a time I hardly recognize
Sha la la la
Jersey girls are always total heartbreakers
Julie from the Wonder Bar
I still wonder where you are
Sha la la la
Jersey girls are always total heartbreakers
Julie from the Wonder Bar
I still wonder where you are
Cause I know the old you
And you know the old me
When we were both lookers
The Menzingers's song Lookers is a nostalgic reflection on past relationships and the beauty of youth. The lyrics describe being lost in a picture frame, reminiscing on the way bodies and smiles used to behave before they froze in time. The singer refers to himself and his lover as "lookers" in the old days, implying that they were both attractive and full of life. The song romanticizes the past, but also acknowledges that those days are gone forever. The "future ain't coming for it", suggesting that the beauty of youth and relationships is fleeting and cannot be recaptured.
The reference to "Jersey girls" in the chorus adds an extra layer of nostalgia, as the singer remembers a woman named Julie from the Wonder Bar who was a heartbreaker. The line "I was certain that I'd find her / In the back of the diner / In a cloud full of nicotine" suggests that the singer has been searching for this woman, perhaps in the hopes of recapturing some aspect of their youth and beauty. But ultimately, the song seems to acknowledge that the past is gone for good, and all that's left is the memories captured in a small black and white photograph on the nightstand of the singer's mind.
In summary, Lookers is a bittersweet reflection on the fleeting beauty of youth, love, and relationships. The vivid imagery of frozen smiles and lost moments in picture frames, and the reference to a specific location and person, add depth and specificity to the nostalgia.
Line by Line Meaning
Lost in a picture frame
Remembering the way things used to be, feeling trapped in a picture-perfect moment.
The way our bodies used to behave
Reflecting on physical intimacy and comfort in old relationships.
The way we smiled in the moment
Nostalgia for happiness and positivity of the past.
Before they permanently froze
Feeling like time has stopped or that current circumstances won't allow for recapturing happy moments.
But that was the old me and you
Acknowledging that we have changed and relationships may not be the same as they once were.
When we were both lookers
When we were both attractive and interesting people.
You little Kerouac
Comparing someone to Jack Kerouac, the author of On the Road, a classic novel about wandering and searching for meaning.
Always running like Dean and Sal
Invoking characters from On the Road who are constantly traveling and seeking adventure.
Always waiting on a freight train
Continuing with the wanderer imagery, waiting for transportation to take them to the next destination.
Always looking for a story to tell
Always searching for interesting experiences and things to share with others.
I was such a looker in the old days
I used to be more attractive and interesting than I am now.
Sha la la la
A meaningless but catchy refrain often used in pop songs.
Jersey girls are always total heartbreakers
Stereotyping women from New Jersey as being difficult romantic partners.
Julie from the Wonder Bar
A specific person from a specific place referenced in the song.
I still wonder where you are
Feeling a sense of loss or missing someone from the past.
Cause I know the old you
Knowing someone from the past and feeling like they may still have those character traits.
And you know the old me
Assuming that someone may recognize the traits and behaviors of the past self.
In a 5"x8" black and white
A physical photo referenced in the song, representing the nostalgia and longing for the past.
On the night stand of my mind
The photo is a persistent memory, always present in the singer's thoughts and feelings.
From a time I hardly recognize
The past seems very different from the present, as remembered through the photo.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: GREG BARNETT, JOSEPH GODINO, ERIC JOSEPH KEEN, THOMAS F. MAY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Adam A
Lost in a picture frame
The way our bodies used to behave
The way we smiled in the moment
Before they permanently froze
But that was the old me and you
When we were both lookers
Lost in a picture frame
The way my body used to behave
The way I smiled in the moment
Before it permanently froze
But that was the old me
I was such a looker in the old days
You little Kerouac
Always running like Dean and Sal
Always waiting on a freight train
Always looking for a story to tell
But that was the old you
You were such a looker in the old days
Sha la la la
Jersey girls are always total heartbreakers
Julie from the Wonder Bar
I still wonder where you are
Cause I know the old you
And you know the old me
I was certain that I'd find her
In the back of the diner
In a cloud full of nicotine
In a teenage memory
That I hold till eternity
Cause the future ain't coming for it
Sha la la la
Jersey girls are always total heartbreakers
Julie from the Wonder Bar
I still wonder where you are
Sha la la la
Jersey girls are always total heartbreakers
Julie from the Wonder Bar
I still wonder where you are
Cause I know the old you
And you know the old me
When we were both lookers
In a 5"x8" black and white
On the night stand of my mind
From a time I hardly recognize
Sha la la la
Jersey girls are always total heartbreakers
Julie from the Wonder Bar
I still wonder where you are
Sha la la la
Jersey girls are always total heartbreakers
Julie from the Wonder Bar
I still wonder where you are
Cause I know the old you
And you know the old me
When we were both lookers
TimeBomb_29
Lookers
The Menzingers
Lyrics
Lost in a picture frame
The way our bodies used to behave
The way we smiled in the moment
Before they permanently froze
But that was the old me and you
When we were both lookers
Lost in a picture frame
The way my body used to behave
The way I smiled in the moment
Before it permanently froze
But that was the old me
I was such a looker in the old days
You little Kerouac
Always running like Dean and Sal
Always waiting on a freight train
Always looking for a story to tell
But that was the old you
You were such a looker in the old days
Sha la la la
Jersey girls are always total heartbreakers
Julie from the Wonder Bar
I still wonder where you are
Cause I know the old you
And you know the old me
I was certain that I'd find her
In the back of the diner
In a cloud full of nicotine
In a teenage memory
That I hold till eternity
Cause the future ain't coming for it
Sha la la la
Jersey girls are always total heartbreakers
Julie from the Wonder Bar
I still wonder where you are
Sha la la la
Jersey girls are always total heartbreakers
Julie from the Wonder Bar
I still wonder where you are
Cause I know the old you
And you know the old me
When we were both lookers
In a 5"x8" black and white
On the night stand of my mind
From a time I hardly recognize
Sha la la la
Jersey girls are always total heartbreakers
Julie from the Wonder Bar
I still wonder where you are
Sha la la la
Jersey girls are always total heartbreakers
Julie from the Wonder Bar
I still wonder where you are
Cause I know the old you
And you know the old me
When we were both lookers
Craig Allen
Every Menzinger song takes me back to my younger years for some reason. They're music is an automatic nostalgia trigger, resulting in emotional memories of the people I've left behind.
Drot dot NotNot
I think that is part of their appeal to me too.
Pete M
I might be in the minority here, but I love the gradual growth and progression of the Menzingers' albums. Every single one for me has been an improvement on the previous. This is a glimpse in what will surely be another favorite of mine.
Carl
I hope they keep putting out music. Why do I love this song 🤔 because it's great I guess.
Courtney Pitts
Which is a rarity because most bands get worse as they come out with new albums. I totally agree with you
Thisanawadee Cook
I'm happy for The Menzingers to tinker and evolve, I think they'll sound even better in 10 years time. Some bands are happy to go with a new direction or feeling and sound with a mentality of 'get some new fans, lose some old ones' and although I'm all for their growth and development it doesn't always work and there's backlash. That said, I do believe that The Menzingers are 2 great songs away from stadium level
glass4breakfast
well i recently discovered them last year but i always appreciate that in any band bcuz the same old shit over n over gets boring n I'm more interested in real artists who r punks then just punk bands who copied other punk bands. that's why i love The Clash forever. they defined that for me early on in my life since i was to young to have followed their musical career from the beginning.
its even better when u get to experience it like i have with some bands, they let u grow with them.
Bart Nesmith
I'm absolutely in love with this album. One if the few times I'm glad that I can say the evolution of a band is in everyone's best interest. Can't wait to see what else they can do!
Gary Rule Jr.
This album just is Where I am in life right now. It's hard being an aging punk
twisted science
Hahah....I'm about to turn 51 and just had to give up my mohawk....because I"M FUCKING OLD NOW....and I don't want to look desperate. It just plain sucks.