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.
Rings Around My Father's Eyes
The War on Drugs Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But I feel like something's changed
There's a storm outside, my walls are aging
They're coming back down in the hardest way
There's a reign protecting me
Rings around my father's eyes
Light above the morning sea
Fall into the ocean deep
Just to bring you back
Babe, it's almost five
I've been gone since the moonlight faded
And punishing rain washed me away
How can I give back what once was stolen?
How can I stay all day?
Well, it's all a lie, I'm just hiding the memory
Yeah, what awaits for you?
What awaits for me?
There's a bridge connecting me
Rings around my father's eyes
Light above the morning sea
Fill the gray into the song
Feel the wings across your arms
Under the way it moves its own
Mm-mm, mm-mm
As I ride into the wind
What a restless feeling
One I've tried to hide so long
Fill the gray into the song
To feel the wings across your arms
Cut the wing in two
No one really knows which way they're facing
'Til they're coming back down
The lyrics to "Rings Around My Father's Eyes" by The War on Drugs seem to explore themes of self-reflection, transformation, and the cyclical nature of life. The opening lines convey a sense of uncertainty and change, as the singer confesses to not knowing which direction they are facing. This could represent a period of personal growth or a shift in perspective.
The mention of a storm outside and aging walls suggests a tumultuous external environment and a sense of vulnerability. The walls are metaphorically coming down, potentially indicating a breaking down of emotional barriers or a loss of stability. This could be interpreted as the singer confronting their own vulnerabilities and embracing change.
The repeated reference to rings around the father's eyes suggests a connection to family and heritage. These rings could symbolize the burdens or responsibilities passed down through generations, and the singer's acknowledgement of these influences. The mention of light above the morning sea and falling into the ocean deep could represent a desire to reconnect with one's roots or dive into the depths of their own emotions.
The second verse introduces the character of Babe, with whom the singer shares a complicated relationship. The mention of punishment and rain washing the singer away suggests a sense of guilt or remorse. They question how they can give back what was taken and express a desire to hide painful memories. This could indicate a struggle to reconcile past mistakes or a longing for redemption.
The bridge connecting the singer to their father's eyes suggests a sense of familial connection and shared experiences. The gray being filled into the song may symbolize finding beauty or meaning in the ordinary or melancholic moments of life. The mention of feeling the wings across one's arms could signify a sensation of freedom or embracing change. The line "cut the wing in two" could represent a willingness to make sacrifices or face difficult choices in order to grow.
The final lines reiterate the theme of self-discovery, suggesting that one does not truly know their direction until they experience a moment of coming back down. This could refer to a state of humility or a realization that transformation and growth are ongoing processes.
Line by Line Meaning
I've never really known which way I'm facing
I've always been unsure of my direction in life
But I feel like something's changed
But I sense that a significant shift has occurred
There's a storm outside, my walls are aging
There's turmoil in the world, and it's affecting my emotional stability
They're coming back down in the hardest way
They're collapsing and crumbling, causing immense difficulty
There's a reign protecting me
There's a sense of authority or power that shields me
Rings around my father's eyes
Signs of worry or burden visible in my father's eyes
Light above the morning sea
A glimmer of hope or guidance in the vastness of life
Into darkness I will reach
I'll venture into the unknown and face challenging situations
Fall into the ocean deep
Succumb to intense emotions or difficult circumstances
Just to bring you back
In an attempt to restore what has been lost
Babe, it's almost five
Darling, it's nearly dawn
I've been gone since the moonlight faded
I've been absent since the night ended
And punishing rain washed me away
And relentless rain cleansed me forcefully
How can I give back what once was stolen?
How can I return what was taken from me?
How can I stay all day?
How can I endure the challenges without retreating?
Well, it's all a lie, I'm just hiding the memory
Well, it's a façade, I'm concealing the painful recollection
Yeah, what awaits for you?
Yeah, what lies ahead for you?
What awaits for me?
What will be my fate?
There's a bridge connecting me
There's a metaphorical link that connects me to something greater
Rings around my father's eyes
Signs of concern or weariness visible in my father's eyes
Light above the morning sea
A sense of hope or guidance in the vastness of life
Fill the gray into the song
Infuse the mundane with meaning and beauty
Feel the wings across your arms
Experience the embrace of freedom and liberation
Under the way it moves its own
Beneath the natural flow of life's journey
Mm-mm, mm-mm
Soothing, melodic interlude
As I ride into the wind
As I face challenges head-on
What a restless feeling
What an unsettled sensation
One I've tried to hide so long
One I've attempted to conceal for a significant period
Fill the gray into the song
Infuse the everyday with depth and beauty
To feel the wings across your arms
To experience the sensation of liberation and freedom
Cut the wing in two
Separate or divide a source of freedom or empowerment
No one really knows which way they're facing
No one truly comprehends their life's direction
'Til they're coming back down
Until they face adversity or setbacks
Lyrics © SC PUBLISHING DBA SECRETLY CANADIAN PUB.
Written by: Adam Granduciel
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
RedShipsofSpainAgain
Jesus Christ, what a beautiful song Adam Granofsky has crafted here. Unbelievable how this man has the power to touch your heart through song.
Isaac Nethan
*Granduciel
Tony Bravo Don
An Instant classic... Yes, this is genuine ✌️
TWOD1980
@Isaac Nethan Grand of Sky or Grand du ciel but Grand none the less :)
Cathy Forman
Beautiful!
Penguin007
Yeah Adam Gandalfini smashed it with this! Beautiful
omingomak
You know 10 years from now, this will still be playing where ever I am. Classic.
dawnpatrol700
Starting in 2014, it's been nothing but masterpieces from TWOD. I was wondering if they could hit the trifecta. Yeah, they def did
iladelph420
Slave Ambient is my favorite album of theirs. Wagonewheels blues is great too.
eyeofsauron100
I cannot stop playing this song - it is so beautiful, especially right now