Current members
Matt Brasch – guitar, backing vocals
Dan "Soupy" Campbell – lead vocals, acoustic guitar
Casey Cavaliere – guitar, backing vocals
Mike Kennedy – drums, percussion
Josh Martin – bass guitar, backing vocals
Nick Steinborn – guitars, keyboards, piano, backing vocals
Studio albums
2007: Get Stoked on It!
2010: The Upsides
2011: Suburbia I've Given You All and Now I'm Nothing
2013: The Greatest Generation
2015: No Closer to Heaven
2018: Sister Cities
2022: The Hum Goes On Forever
Compilations
2013: Sleeping on Trash: A Collection of Songs Recorded 2005-2010
A Raindance in Traffic
The Wonder Years Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm fanaticizing about a storm to wash me away.
If you'd study the laugh-lines, you'd see that I'm cracking.
I spent six months now feeling like dead weight
The fighter in me must have died a long time ago.
I must have been watching his ghost;
Just going through the motions, just putting on a face.
Every window in this house faces a brick wall.
I'm panicked and absent like a bird in a cage.
The word from the front lines says that we're out-gunned
But I can't walk away, no, I can't walk away, no, I can't.
The fighter in me must have died a long time ago.
I must have been watching his ghost;
Just going through the motions, just putting on a face.
It feels like 1929 and I'm on the verge of a great collapse today.
I was just happy to be a contender.
I was just aching for anything.
And I used to have such steady hands but
Now I can't keep 'em from shaking.
I was just happy to be a contender.
I was just aching for anything.
And I used to have such steady hands but
Now I can't keep 'em from shaking.
Can't keep 'em from shaking.
Can't keep 'em from shaking.
I can't keep 'em from shaking.
I can't keep 'em from shaking.
Can't keep 'em from shaking.
Can't keep 'em from shaking.
The Wonder Years' song, A Raindance In Traffic, is a powerful expression of overwhelming anxiety and a feeling of being trapped in one's own life. The lyrics describe someone who is fantasizing about dancing in the middle of the street during a storm, hoping to be swept away by the rain. This expression of desperation and hopelessness is further emphasized by the line, "if you'd study the laugh-lines, you'd see that I'm cracking." The imagery is that of someone about to break, someone who is at the end of their rope and sees no way out.
The song also touches upon the idea of feeling like a fighter who has lost their spirit. The line, "The fighter in me must have died a long time ago," shows how the person has given up on themselves and has become a ghost of who they once were. They are going through the motions, just putting on a face, and feel like they are on the verge of a great collapse. The clean guitars and poignant keys blend to create a spacey yet emotive atmosphere to accompany the lyrics.
The song goes on to describe feeling trapped like a bird in a cage and panicked by an intense feeling of absentmindedness. The singer is aware that they are out-gunned but feels powerless to walk away from their situation. The song ultimately ends on a note of resignation and acceptance of one's fate - the singer knows that they used to be a contender, but they are not anymore, and they cannot keep their hands from shaking.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm fanaticizing about doing a rain dance in traffic.
I am daydreaming about a reckless act in a dangerous place as a way to distract from reality.
I'm fanaticizing about a storm to wash me away.
I am longing for a natural disaster to remove me from my current situation or state of mind.
If you'd study the laugh-lines, you'd see that I'm cracking.
If you paid attention to the wrinkles by my mouth, you would see that I am breaking down emotionally.
I spent six months now feeling like dead weight
For half a year, I have been feeling like a burden or useless.
The fighter in me must have died a long time ago.
I have lost my motivation and determination to fight for my goals and dreams long ago.
I must have been watching his ghost;
I am just going through the motions and not really living, almost like I am a spectator to my own life.
Just going through the motions, just putting on a face.
I am just pretending to be okay and not dealing with my true emotions or problems.
It feels like 1929 and I'm on the verge of a great collapse today.
My current state of mind and situation feels like the time leading up to the Great Depression, and I am close to breaking down completely.
Every window in this house faces a brick wall.
I feel trapped and blocked off, like there are no opportunities or possibilities for change or escape.
I'm panicked and absent like a bird in a cage.
I am anxious and disoriented, like a trapped bird that can't fly away.
The word from the front lines says that we're out-gunned
Reports from the front lines, or the challenges I am facing, indicate that I am at a disadvantage and may not succeed.
But I can't walk away, no, I can't walk away, no, I can't.
Despite the odds, I am determined to keep going and not give up.
I was just happy to be a contender.
I was content with just being in the running or being a part of something, without necessarily coming out on top.
I was just aching for anything.
I was desperate and longing for any kind of change or progress, no matter how small.
And I used to have such steady hands but
I once had confidence and control in my life, but that has since faded away.
Now I can't keep 'em from shaking.
Now, I am unable to control my nerves or anxiety, causing my hands to shake.
Can't keep 'em from shaking.
I am powerless to stop my trembling hands, which represents my overall feelings of being out of control.
Can't keep 'em from shaking.
My hands continue to shake, a physical manifestation of my inner turmoil and uncertainty.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Alex Maness
I'm fantasizing about doing a raindance in traffic
I'm fantasizing about a storm to wash me away
If you'd study the laugh-lines, you'd see that I'm cracking
I spent six months now feeling like dead weight
[Chorus]
The fighter in me must have died a long time agoI must have been watching his ghost;
Just going through the motions, just putting on a face
It feels like 1929 and I'm on the verge of a great collapse today
Every window in this house faces a brick wall
I'm panicked and absent like a bird in a cage
The word from the front lines says that we're out-gunned
But I can't walk away, no, I can't walk away, no, I can't
[Chorus]
I was just happy to be a contender
I was just aching for anything
And I used to have such steady hands butNow I can't keep 'em from shaking
[x2]
I can't keep 'em from shaking
[x6]
RenoSword
The album isn't nuts, you can't eat an album. This album felt so experimental with different sounds yet the band dealt with progression so well that no matter what sound it was the band put their hearts into it. Soupy's writing improved so much Matt's voice was amazing as well, this band makes me glad I'm from South Philly.
Tae
The vocalist's name isn't Soupy, you can't eat a vocalist.
Hope you're still alive.
Joshin Around
''It feels like 1929 and i'm on the verge of a great collapse today'' fucking superb lyric, soupy is such a good lyricist.
Joshua Ray
“I’m fantasizing about doing a rain dance in traffic.” The imagery in that lyric makes me weak every time. I love it so much.
Tiana O'Neal
Favorite song on the album. I love Matt's voice alongside Soupy's!
Ashley Winward
Pretty sure that this song is the perfect description of my life right now!! Finals week makes me want to Rain Dance in Traffic ;p LOVE this song <3
Nicolas Plett
I really really want a "TWY" tattoo. I already had one in mind but with this sick album i may have to re-think what i want :)
Kyle Levier
Yup, definitely buying this record.... Officially a Wonder Year and I just discovered them today..
Joshua Bellchambers
This song is excellent, top dudes, top band. Pre-order the record, support the band.
Joey Carmello
If you don't support a band that works quite as hard as these guys than you're foolish to think good music will ever thrive. They are the definition of heart and character and deserve everything that's coming to them!