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.
Knocked Down
The War on Drugs Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Raining through the night sky like a drop
Give 'em all a piece of moon for me
Somehow I can make it rain
Diamonds in the night sky, I'm like a child
And now I'm all beaten up and weak
I'm only shaking 'cause I'm lying in the cold
I want to shake it but I can't break free
Anyway
Somewhere out there look at my
It's like I'm raining in the night sky like a drop
Now you're all beaten up, you're weak
Somewhere they can make it rain
Diamonds in the night sky, I'm like a child
All alone, beaten up, free
I want to love you but I get knocked down
I want to love you when I'm lying in the ground
I want to show you but I can't break free
To be the one that I should dare to be
I want to love you but I get knocked down
I want to shake you 'cause I'm lying in the hold
I want to shake it but I can't break free
Anyway
The lyrics of "Knocked Down" by The War on Drugs convey a sense of longing and desperation, with the repeated line "I want to love you but I get knocked down" serving as the emotional centerpiece. The song opens with a reference to a distant star, suggesting a feeling of isolation and longing for connection. The image of rain falling through the night sky like a drop reinforces this idea of being separated from others and symbolizes the desire to make a meaningful impact on the world.
The lyrics become more introspective in the second verse, as the singer reflects on their own ability to create beauty in the world ("somehow I can make it rain/diamonds in the night sky"). However, even as they express this artistic vision, they acknowledge their own vulnerability and weakness ("now I'm all beaten up and weak").
The chorus brings the focus back to the desire for love and connection, with the repeated lines expressing both the singer's yearning and their inability to fully achieve their goal. The final lines, "To be the one that I should dare to be/Anyway," suggest a resignation to the singer's limitations, while also acknowledging the value of striving towards self-improvement and personal growth.
Overall, "Knocked Down" is a song that grapples with the pain of feeling disconnected from others, while also holding onto the hope for meaningful connection and artistic expression.
Line by Line Meaning
Far away there is a star
There is something distant and beautiful that I desire.
Raining through the night sky like a drop
This beautiful thing seems to be abundant, yet unattainable.
Give 'em all a piece of moon for me
I want to share my desire with others, but it feels impossible.
Somehow I can make it rain
Despite the difficulties, I believe I have the power to achieve my desire.
Diamonds in the night sky, I'm like a child
My desire is so strong that it makes me feel like a child again, innocent and pure.
And now I'm all beaten up and weak
The challenges I've faced in pursuit of my desire have left me exhausted and vulnerable.
I'm gonna lie here but I get knocked down
Despite feeling defeated, I refuse to give up completely.
I'm only shaking 'cause I'm lying in the cold
It's difficult to keep going when I feel isolated and alone.
I want to shake it but I can't break free
I want to overcome these struggles, but it seems impossible.
Somewhere out there look at my
I want someone to see what I'm going through and understand.
It's like I'm raining in the night sky like a drop
My struggles and emotions are so intense that they feel like they're pouring out of me.
Now you're all beaten up, you're weak
I see that others are going through similar struggles and it makes me feel less alone.
Somewhere they can make it rain
There are others who have overcome these challenges and achieved their desires.
All alone, beaten up, free
Despite the struggles, there is a sense of freedom and independence in pursuing my desire.
I want to love you but I get knocked down
Even in relationships, my struggles and desire can make it difficult to connect.
I want to love you when I'm lying in the ground
I want to be able to love and connect even in the lowest moments.
I want to show you but I can't break free
I want to share my struggles with you, but I feel trapped and unable to express myself fully.
To be the one that I should dare to be
Despite the difficulties, I want to be true to myself and pursue my desires.
I want to shake you 'cause I'm lying in the hold
I want to share my struggles with you and connect, even when it feels impossible.
Anyway
Despite these struggles, I will keep moving forward.
Lyrics © SC PUBLISHING DBA SECRETLY CANADIAN PUB., Songtrust Ave
Written by: Adam Granofsky
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
stardustinmotion
Far away there is a star
Raining through the night sky like a drop
Give 'em all a piece of moon for me
Somehow I can make it rain
Diamonds in the night sky, I'm like a child
And now I'm all beaten up and weak
I wanna love you but I get knocked down
I'm only shaking cuz I'm lying in the hold
I want to shade it but I can't break free
Anyway
Somewhere out there look at my...
It's like I'm raining in the night sky like a drop [?]
Now you're all beaten up, you're weak
Somewhere they can make it rain
Diamonds in the night sky, I'm like a child
All alone, beaten up, free
I want to love you but I get knocked down
I want to love you when I'm lying in the ground
I want to show you but I can't break free
To be the one that I should dare to be
I want to love you but I get knocked down
I want to shake you 'cuz I'm lying in the hold
I want to shake it but I can't break free
Anyway
Gallow X
Whole album is awesome. Cheers and best wishes to all
stardustinmotion
Far away there is a star
Raining through the night sky like a drop
Give 'em all a piece of moon for me
Somehow I can make it rain
Diamonds in the night sky, I'm like a child
And now I'm all beaten up and weak
I wanna love you but I get knocked down
I'm only shaking cuz I'm lying in the hold
I want to shade it but I can't break free
Anyway
Somewhere out there look at my...
It's like I'm raining in the night sky like a drop [?]
Now you're all beaten up, you're weak
Somewhere they can make it rain
Diamonds in the night sky, I'm like a child
All alone, beaten up, free
I want to love you but I get knocked down
I want to love you when I'm lying in the ground
I want to show you but I can't break free
To be the one that I should dare to be
I want to love you but I get knocked down
I want to shake you 'cuz I'm lying in the hold
I want to shake it but I can't break free
Anyway
John David
❤️ from Arkansas, wow...the best album I’ve heard in such a long time. Just when I’m getting tired of the same old stuff out there, totally amazing band and singer.
Lance East
Such a great group you would not pick them from filladelfa
Gustavo Arriaga
Que buena musica....un placer para mis oidos!!
mike maldonado
this band is a national treasure
Leab Tasman
Beautiful song from one of the best albums ever
Yuri Hendrix
3 new songs on the same time!?!? What a treat! I was like "let's listen to some war on drugs", and then I find that there's 3 new songs uploaded 3 hours ago :D. Beautiful as ever
leecrosby lee crosby
Yuri Hendrix was thinking exactly the same pal.
crumbs182
New album my dude - A Deeper Understanding <3