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.
Brothers
The War on Drugs Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm rising in to the top of the line
And I was there waitin' for the sun
And was there with the best sometimes
Lookin' out, past the rubble
Pick yourself up all down the line
I love you babe and I'll be there till the end
Lookin' out from somewhere I've been thinking
I've been rollin' past the seas
Wonderin' where my friends are goin'
And wonderin' why they didn't take me
Lookin' out of the window of my room
I'm lookin' out where somethin' once ran wild
I'm looking down at the window on the floor babe
I'm lookin' down till I die
Comin' down like the fire in my heart
Comin' down like the risin' in the storm
Comin' down with a feelin' I've been burned babe
Comin' down like the fire in my heart babe
Lookin' out on the field like I've been mean
I'm lookin' down at the tables I've turned
And I'm wonderin' about all my friends down in the combat
'Cause I was there with the best sometimes
Lookin' out, past the rubble
Pick yourself up all down the line
We'll be stranded but we won't be forgotten
Down here on the travelin' bay
My life is filled with fear
I cannot believe in truth
Ooh what am I feelin'
I may have been burned but I can't believe I've been lyin' on the floor again
And all I see is the darkness in your eyes
It's like loosin' ground on the one that I despise
Pick yourself up right down the line
Loose yourself in your mind
The lyrics of "Brothers" by The War on Drugs is a contemplative song about a man who seems to be reminiscing about his past, looking out at his life and wondering about where he stands in relation to his friends and the world. The first verse mentions a baby on the floor, perhaps suggesting a new start, a new life, or a rebirth. The singer seems to have come a long way from that point and is now at the top of the line, but he still feels lost and disconnected from the people around him. He talks about waiting for the sun and being with the best but also acknowledges the crowdedness of his life. The second verse has a similar tone as he looks out of his window and thinks about his past and friends. He wonders why his friends didn't take him on their journeys, and the song ends with the singer dealing with his internal conflicts of fear, disbelief, and darkness.
Overall, "Brothers" seems to be a song about confronting one's past, present, and future, and the anxieties that come with it. The lyrics seem to suggest that the singer is trying to make sense of his life, and his place in the world, but is struggling with the complexity and the weight of his experiences. The tone of the song is introspective, reflective, and melancholic, with a hint of hope in the line "We'll be stranded but we won't be forgotten."
Line by Line Meaning
All way the babe on the floor
There's a baby on the floor
I'm rising in to the top of the line
I'm succeeding and doing well
And I was there waitin' for the sun
I was eagerly waiting for a new day and new opportunities
And was there with the best sometimes
I was surrounded by the best people sometimes
Lookin' out, past the rubble
I'm looking beyond the ruins of something
Pick yourself up all down the line
Keep pushing and moving forward through everything
I love you babe and I'll be there till the end
I deeply care about you and will support you no matter what
But until then it's crowded babe
Until then, there are a lot of distractions and obstacles in the way
Lookin' out from somewhere I've been thinking
I'm reflecting on my past experiences and contemplating my future
I've been rollin' past the seas
I've been traveling and exploring new places
Wonderin' where my friends are goin'
I'm curious about where my friends are headed in their lives
And wonderin' why they didn't take me
And wondering why my friends didn't invite me along
Lookin' out of the window of my room
I'm staring out of my window
I'm lookin' out where somethin' once ran wild
I'm looking at a place where something used to be untamed and free
I'm looking down at the window on the floor babe
I'm looking down at the ground from a high-up window
I'm lookin' down till I die
I'm constantly looking downward until the end of my life
Comin' down like the fire in my heart
A feeling of passion and intensity is coming down over me
Comin' down like the risin' in the storm
An intense and powerful force is coming over me
Comin' down with a feelin' I've been burned babe
I'm feeling hurt and damaged
Comin' down like the fire in my heart babe
I'm feeling fiery and passionate
Lookin' out on the field like I've been mean
I'm looking out at the field and feeling angry
I'm lookin' down at the tables I've turned
I'm looking down at the situation I've changed
And I'm wonderin' about all my friends down in the combat
I'm thinking about my friends who are in the midst of a struggle
'Cause I was there with the best sometimes
Because I was present with the best people at times
We'll be stranded but we won't be forgotten
We may be stuck, but we will always be remembered
Down here on the travelin' bay
We are down here on the move and constantly traveling
My life is filled with fear
I'm living in constant fear
I cannot believe in truth
I can't trust anything as true
Ooh what am I feelin'
I'm experiencing strong emotions
I may have been burned but I can't believe I've been lyin' on the floor again
I may have been hurt, but I can't believe I'm back in the same position again
And all I see is the darkness in your eyes
All I see is negativity and unhappiness in your eyes
It's like loosin' ground on the one that I despise
I'm losing my grip on the person I hate
Pick yourself up right down the line
Keep pushing forward no matter what happens
Loose yourself in your mind
Get lost in your thoughts and imagination.
Lyrics © SC PUBLISHING DBA SECRETLY CANADIAN PUB., Songtrust Ave, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Adam Granofsky, David John Hartley, Robbie Bennet
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
cask-of-amantillado
I have been returning over and over to this song for a few years now - since 2011 I think? - and I never, ever get sick of it. I have no idea what it is, but something about the shimmering sound and the Dylanesque vocals and the nearly nonsensical lyrics ... This song just lifts me right up out of my chair. Best song to take a walk to that I know of.
pbucci
You nailed the essence .....
Howard Koor
Yes, sensationally stated!
VNK MAN
i feel exactly the same way, i keep coming back to it daily. haha, totally lost in it x
Charles Grantham
***** I just can't get tired of this song.
VNK MAN
agree, total classic. seen 'em live twice now and they still haven't played it though... however great gigs x
goodgirlbess
This was for Eric. Feel deeply for his losses which left him a cold, cruel and calculating man. And emotionally crippled. Beware those of the high intellect. I knew he’d like this. Music was our thing when we were young.
FeelsOkayMan
tell me more about eric please, im very interested
Carlito Salvatore
Excelente...Poético-existencial e com alma.💓
Suicide Jon
One of my favorite tunes. Makes me feel free.