Band member Adam Granduciel (born Adam Granofsky in Dover, Massachusetts) moved from Oakland, California to Philadelphia in 2003, where he met Kurt Vile and began playing music with him. They began playing as The War on Drugs in 2005, and self-released a demo EP. While Vile and Granduciel formed the backbone of the band, they had a number of accompanists early in the group's career, before finally settling on a lineup that added Charlie Hall as drummer/organist, Kyle Lloyd as drummer and Dave Hartley on bass. Granduciel had previously toured and recorded with The Capitol Years, and Vile has several solo albums. The group gave away its Barrel of Batteries EP for free early in 2008. Their debut LP for Secretly Canadian, Wagonwheel Blues, was released in 2008.
Reviewers of the band's music make note of its Americana overtones. The group's sound has been described as influenced by Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, and My Bloody Valentine.
The lineup underwent several changes, and by the end of 2008, Kurt Vile, Charlie Hall, and Kyle Lloyd had all exited the group. Granduciel and Hartley were joined by drummer Mike Zanghi as the group slimmed to three members.
After Zanghi's exit in 2010, Steven Urgo took over drum duties and Robbie Bennett joined on keys.
Baby Missiles
The War on Drugs Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And on the back of a new belief
My friend rides all alone
Yeah, he's up and down like a new Jack Tone
He was alive on the new machine
He felt alive on the new machine
My friend dies all alone
Yeah, you want to talk about going down
Yeah, --- make a young man proud
You should have seen all the rattling in my brain
And in the wake of a northeast bus
I came on my back, like a northeast crutch
You should have seen all the rattling in my way
Just the sound of a northeast bus coming back here
Because I don't mind when the pioneers go soft on me
Its just the sound of northeast bus, on its ---
You got your head in the common field
Just your hands with the common touch
Whoo hooo
Yeah
I was alive in the new machine
He felt alive in the new machine
My friend rides all alone
Yeah, he's up and down like a new Jack Tone
He wanna leave but he don't know how
He want to try but he don't know why
He's going to lean on the back of me
Like a slide on the back of bu-belief...
Whoo hooo
Ooh, just the sound of a northeast bus, walking back here
Because I don't mind when all the pioneers go soft on me
Its just the sound of a northeast bus
You got your head in the common field
Like just your hands with the common touch
Whoo hooo yeah
The lyrics of "Baby Missiles" by The War on Drugs seem to tell the story of a person who is struggling with a new belief or idea, represented by the metaphor of a "new machine". The singer's friend also experiences the same struggle, and they ride together on this new belief. However, the friend seems to be more up and down in their acceptance of it, compared to the singer who is fully immersed in the new belief. The chorus has a reference to a northeast bus, which could represent a physical journey or destination, or a metaphor for a journey of self-discovery.
The second verse talks about how the singer came to this new belief or idea, perhaps by using a northeast bus as a mode of transportation. The rattling in their brain and their way could symbolize the internal turmoil and obstacles faced during this journey. The third verse seems to address someone who is being criticized for their "common touch" or simple ways of thinking, while also acknowledging that it's okay to be comfortable in one's own skin.
Overall, "Baby Missiles" is a thoughtful and introspective song that uses vivid imagery and metaphor as a way of exploring the struggle and uncertainty of accepting a new belief.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm on the back of a new belief
I am following a new and different belief system
And on the back of a new belief
Continuing the idea from the previous line
My friend rides all alone
My friend is alone in his beliefs and ideas
Yeah, he's up and down like a new Jack Tone
He is inconsistent and uncertain, like a new untrained young musician
He felt alive on the new machine
He felt like he had a new sense of purpose and energy on a new path
My friend dies all alone
My friend is alone in his struggles and hardships
Yeah, just up and down like a new Jack Tone
Continuing the idea from the previous stanza of inconsistency and uncertainty in a new path
You should have seen all the rattling in my brain
My mind was chaotic and unsettled with new thoughts and ideas
And in the wake of a northeast bus
In the aftermath of a significant event, like a Northeastern tour bus arriving
I came on my back, like a northeast crutch
I came out of the situation struggling and relying on support, like a Northeastern crutch
You should have seen all the rattling in my way
Continuing the idea from the first stanza of chaos and uncertainty
Yeah, --- make a young man proud
Something new and exciting can make a young person proud and inspired
Just the sound of a northeast bus coming back here
The anticipation and excitement of something significant returning, like a Northeastern tour bus
Because I don't mind when the pioneers go soft on me
I am okay with the original and experienced people in my life becoming less strict or extreme in their ideas and beliefs
Its just the sound of northeast bus, on its ---
Continuing the idea of excitement and anticipation of the Northeastern tour bus
You got your head in the common field
You are stuck in ordinary and unfulfilling ideas and beliefs
Just your hands with the common touch
You have ordinary and unoriginal actions and behaviors
He wanna leave but he don't know how
He wants to change and move on, but is uncertain of how to do so
He want to try but he don't know why
He wants to make a change, but lacks motivation or purpose behind it
He's going to lean on the back of me
He will rely on me for support and guidance
Like a slide on the back of bu-belief...
Like slipping and struggling to get a grasp on a new belief system
Whoo hooo
Vocalization of excitement or anticipation
Ooh, just the sound of a northeast bus, walking back here
Continuing the idea of the Northeastern tour bus being a significant event
You got your head in the common field
Repeating the idea of being stuck in ordinary and unfulfilling ideas and beliefs
Like just your hands with the common touch
Repeating the idea of having ordinary and unoriginal actions and behaviors
Whoo hooo yeah
Vocalization of excitement or anticipation
Contributed by Anthony N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@rosiebridgeman220
The War On Drugs
Baby Missiles:
I'm on the back of a new belief
And on the back of a new belief
My friend rides all alone
Yeah, he's up and down like a new Jack Tone
He was a part of the new machine
He felt alive in the new machine
My friend dies all alone
Yeah, just up and down like a new Jack Tone
Yeah, you want to talk about going down
Yeah, you'd rather make a young man proud
You should have seen all the rattling in my brain
And in the wake of a northeast bus
I came on my back like a northeast perch
You should have seen all the rattling in my way
Just the sound of a northeast bus coming back here
Because I don't mind when the pioneers go soft on me
It's just the sound of a northeast bus on its back babe
You got your head in the common field
Adjust your hands with the common touch
I was alive on the new machine
He felt alive in the new machine
My friend rides all alone
Yeah he's up and down like a new Jack Tone
He wanna leave but he don't know how
He want to try but he don't know why
He's going to lean on the back of me
Like a slide on the back of b-b-belief
Just the sound of a northeast bus coming back here
Because I don't mind when the pioneers go soft on me
It's just the sound of a northeast bus on its back babe
You got your head in the common field
Adjust your hands with the common touch
@phoule76
I'm on the back of a new belief
And on the back of a new belief
My friend rides all alone
Yeah, he's up and down like a new Jack Tone
He was a part of the new machine
He felt alive in the new machine
My friend dies all alone
Yeah, just up and down like a new Jack Tone
Yeah, you want to talk about going down
Yeah, you'd rather make a young man proud
You should have seen all the rattling in my brain
And in the wake of a northeast bus
I came on my back like a northeast perch
You should have seen all the rattling in my way
Just the sound of a northeast bus coming back here
Because I don't mind when the pioneers go soft on me
It's just the sound of a northeast bus on its back babe
You got your head in the common field
Adjust your hands with the common touch
I was alive on the new machine
He felt alive in the new machine
My friend rides all alone
Yeah he's up and down like a new Jack Tone
He wanna leave but he don't know how
He want to try but he don't know why
He's going to lean on the back of me
Like a slide on the back of b-b-belief
Just the sound of a northeast bus coming back here
Because I don't mind when the pioneers go soft on me
It's just the sound of a northeast bus on its back babe
You got your head in the common field
Adjust your hands with the common touch
@CinqueMalcolm
I just heard this for the first time and then played it like 20 times in a row. This song is insane. The video is damn near exactly what I expected too. This is the !@#4.
@RockinRickSmith
Driving home after a rough day, evening sun cutting through an atmosphere thick with the day's dramas... that's what this song feels like to me...one of their best.
@tommybohman7818
I'd like to sweep through the landscape late at night in a Chevrolet Corvette enjoying "Under the Pressure", "Baby Missiles" and "Your Love Is Calling My Name."
The Corvette - produced in Bowling Green, KY - is the American fighter pilots favorite sports car.
I can understand why, but unfortunately I don't have a 'Vette (my neighbor, though, lucky guy - has one)
@44standaman
One of War’s more up tempo tracks. What a treat, decorated in dreamy instrumentation!
@TheCoconutwater
Slave Ambient, the album this is taken from, is a real gem.
@rbibbe34
It's honestly like Bruce Springsteen in his punk phase, high on speed.
And it's awesome lol
@nothingreally6680
+ramblin man Working on the Highway is what I think of.
@kamalmanzukie
could you be more specific? i could see myself really liking to hear that
@rbibbe34
Sure thing! Darkness on the Edge of town album is really punk like. I know he was hanging at CBGB's around this period.
Adam Raised A Cain, live version of 'Prove it all Night'(78 Passiac black/white version omg). Let me know what you think! kamalmanzukie
@kamalmanzukie
great, thanks!