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.
Change
The War on Drugs Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To try and get to you
Tell me everything that you need
I've been trying so hard
Ain't got no time to lose
Tell me anything that you'll need
To open the door
To a desperate man
When you're falling
I've been driving on the west side again
And the rain keeps pouring down
Finally figured out my way
I've been living on the run 'cause I can't find
That thing that holds and binds us tight
I'm out here dying in the heat
Oh, what am I to find?
Yeah, when I open the door
To desperate men
Easily could run from the start
Sheltered and dead
I hear your call
Crawl inside and wait for the fall
Shelter in the doorway
From rising storms
Caution in the darkness
Where we have fallen
How can I replace, babe
What can't be lost?
I don't wanna change
I'll rise above it
There are so many ways
Our love could make it through
But it's so damn hard to make that change
Maybe I was born too late
For this lonely freedom fight
Maybe I was born in the wrong way
Maybe born on the wrong day
The lyrics of "Change" by The War on Drugs reflect themes of desperation, longing, and the struggle to find connection and meaning in life. The singer expresses a sense of urgency and a relentless pursuit of something elusive, symbolized by running towards a white light to reach a desired destination. This imagery conveys a sense of aspiration and determination, despite feeling overwhelmed and pressed for time.
The repeated reference to opening a door to a desperate man suggests vulnerability and a willingness to confront inner turmoil and struggles. The idea of easily running from the start hints at a pattern of avoidance or escapism in the face of challenges or emotional difficulties. The mention of falling adds a sense of vulnerability and inevitability, as the singer navigates through uncertainty and hardship.
As the song progresses, the mention of driving on the west side and the rain pouring down evokes a sense of being lost and searching for direction amidst external chaos. The singer acknowledges living on the run and the inability to find a sense of stability or connection that can hold them in place. This sense of disconnection and yearning is heightened by the imagery of dying in the heat, symbolizing emotional intensity and struggle.
The chorus brings a sense of seeking solace and shelter in the midst of turmoil, referencing rising storms and darkness. The plea to not want to change and to rise above it conveys a desire to hold on to what is familiar and comfortable, even in the face of challenges. The uncertainty and doubt in the lines about the possibility of love making it through, coupled with reflections on timing and fate, suggest a deep contemplation of personal struggles and a search for meaning in the midst of adversity.
Overall, "Change" delves into the complexities of human emotion, the struggle for connection, and the constant search for purpose and identity. The lyrics capture a sense of inner conflict and the longing for stability and understanding in a world that often feels overwhelming and uncertain.
Line by Line Meaning
I've been running from the white light
Avoiding facing reality and the truth
To try and get to you
Striving to connect with someone or something meaningful
Tell me everything that you need
Communicate honestly about desires and needs
I've been trying so hard
Making a strong effort
Ain't got no time to lose
Feeling a sense of urgency
Tell me anything that you'll need
Encouraging open communication about needs
To open the door
Accepting vulnerability
To a desperate man
To someone in need of help
Easily could run from the start
Could have avoided the situation from the beginning
When you're falling
Struggling and feeling overwhelmed
Shelter in the doorway
Finding refuge in a seemingly small safe space
From rising storms
From the challenges and difficulties in life
Caution in the darkness
Being careful and aware in difficult times
Where we have fallen
Reflecting on mistakes and failures
How can I replace, babe
How can I find something to fill the void
What can't be lost?
What is irreplaceable
I don't wanna change
Resisting transformation or adjustment
I'll rise above it
I will overcome the challenges
There are so many ways
Numerous possibilities
Our love could make it through
Our connection can withstand difficulties
But it's so damn hard to make that change
Difficult to embrace a new way of thinking or acting
Maybe I was born too late
Feeling out of sync with the world
For this lonely freedom fight
Struggling for independence and autonomy
Maybe I was born in the wrong way
Feeling like you don't fit in
Maybe born on the wrong day
Unlucky timing or circumstances
Lyrics © SC PUBLISHING DBA SECRETLY CANADIAN PUB., Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Adam Granduciel, Dave Hartley, Anthony LaMarca
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
jorisbrem
I've been running from the white light
To try and get to you
Tell me everything that you need
I've been trying so hard
Ain't got no time to lose
Tell me anything that you'll need
To open the door
To a desperate man
Easily could run from the start
When you're falling
I've been driving on the west side again
And the rain keeps pouring down
Finally figured out my way
I've been living on the run 'cause I can't find
That thing that holds and binds us tight
I'm out here dying in the heat
Oh, what am I to find?
Yeah, when I open the door
To desperate men
Easily could run from the start
Sheltered and dead
I hear your call
Crawl inside and wait for the fall
Shelter in the doorway
From rising storms
Caution in the darkness
Where we have fallen
How can I replace, babe
What can't be lost?
I don't wanna change
I'll rise above it
There are so many ways
Our love could make it through
But it's so damn hard to make that change
Maybe I was born too late
For this lonely freedom fight
Maybe I was born in the wrong way
Maybe born on the wrong day
B Athens
Oh man! When I was 20 years old, I listened to Pink Floyd, the Moody Blues, Fleetwood Mac, late into the night, with only the glow of the receiver's dial in the room, zoning in, on the guitars, drums, keyboards, harmonies, lyrics. Now, I'm 65, it's 1 AM, and I'm hearing this, in a dark room, with the glow of my phone. Listening, to all the elements. The good things in life never CHANGE ❤❤❤
LZ16
@HVYMETL For the most part, it's true. Music today is absolute garbage. Most can't even compare to the old days. No, I'm not a baby boomer but sure as hell wish I was. Fortunately, there is SOME good music now, like WOD.
HVYMETL
Brother I hear you. Too many boomers are like, "No one makes good music anymore".
WRONG!
Jorge Portillo
My thoughts exactly 🎶
Steffaney Smith
Love your comment. I can see you in your late night room of music..peace..
Ollie Cat
Rhythms, instrumental talent, and stories also have Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers vibes. :) Make me soooo happy!
Spiderbite76
I just today found out that my serious and very deadly cancer is... gone. After a full year of dying I'm now back to life.
And now this wonderful epic song drops on me. Things are looking GOOD. ☺
For those who, really, know what I'm talking about; hang in there. Good luck.
Aaron Null
dude, cheers to you!
raa14211
:)
Rick Young
Love and luck to you 🎵❤️