Friends since they were five, the band grew up playing music together, from early teen-age house parties in their hometown of San Francisco, to multiple world tours. Throughout their extensive travels over the past 8 years – including recent tours through China and South Korea – Two Gallants have continued to evolve, both musically and personally.
The bands' very first single, "Nothing to You" (from their 2004 debut The Throes), started off a string of cult classics that helped define their signature sound. The success of the sophomore album, What the Toll Tells (2006), delivered a few more singles, including “Steady Rollin’” and “Las Cruces Jail”. The wistful “Seems Like Home to Me” from The Scenery of Farewell EP (2007) and “Despite What You’ve Been Told” from 2007’s self-titled album, provide the framework of the bands development into The Bloom and the Blight.
After six years of constant recording and touring, Two Gallants took a hiatus starting in the summer of 2008.
About their 2012 album, The Bloom and the Blight, Adam Stephens explained: “We’ve both gone through some hard stuff personally, so this album has that element of the cathartic, of a release of tension. We had taken time off, and we did different things, played in different bands. And in doing those things, being apart and redefining ourselves in that way, we were able to come together with a fresh approach.” The album's first single was "Broken Eyes".
The Bloom and the Blight Album Trailer: http://youtu.be/qOY07eRnAgU
We Are Undone, Two Gallants' fifth studio album and second for ATO Records, was released in February 2015.
A second hiatus began in 2016.
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Despite What You've Been Told
Two Gallants Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And the wander of your fingertips
I should prove true to my emptiness
And stay here
Well, I'm just a kid of ill repute
But the skin I wear is my only suit
And you, you're just a substitute
You know, you could be anyone
God forgive my tasteless tongue
I never should have been set free
I claw my eyes, I skin my face
Beg somehow to be replaced
That's how we deal with boys like me
Well, I guess for this world so sick with loss
And your service is so free of cost
I should climb down off my rugged cross
And lay with you
But you know, by now it's half past late
And I only came here for escape
You you're just my next mistake
Like me to you
You know, you could be anyone
God forgive your unborn sons
I hope they don't end up like me
I drag my mind through streets of shame
Lay myself forgive the game
That's how we deal with boys like me
But despite what you've been told
I once had a soul
Left somewhere behind
A former friend of mine
And I hate to speak so free
But you mean nothing to me
So if the street lights they shine bright
I?ll get home tonight
I guess by the dim light in your eyes
And that to you all things come as a surprise
I should set the steel trap of your thighs
And dive right in
But to you I'm just a confused child
Insecure or in denial
Go raise your robes, go have your trial
I?ll let you win
You know, I could be anyone
God forgive what I should've done
A thoughts enough to guilty be
Yes, I guess I made this bed
But I?ll take the sidewalk instead
That's how we deal with boys like me
But despite what you've been told
I once had a soul
Left somewhere behind
A former friend of mine
And I hate to sound so true
But I mean nothing to you
So, if the street lights they shine bright
I?ll be home tonight
The song "Despite What You've Been Told" by Two Gallants tells a story of a troubled relationship between two people who seem to be using each other for an escape. The lyrics describe a sense of emptiness and a desire to escape from reality for both parties involved. The singer acknowledges that he is a "kid of ill-repute" and that he is not good for the other person. He describes himself as a mistake and acknowledges that he has lost his soul. Despite this, he finds it hard to stay away from his lover, even though he knows that he means nothing to her.
Throughout the song, we see a struggle between desire and self-awareness. The singer knows that he is not good for the other person, yet he finds it hard to stay away from her. He acknowledges his faults and asks for forgiveness, yet at the same time, he continues to engage in similar behaviors. The lyrics convey a sense of hopelessness and resignation, as if the singer has given up on himself and his ability to change.
Despite the bleak tone of the song, there is also a sense of honesty and vulnerability. The singer is not afraid to admit to his faults and his mistakes, and he is willing to face the consequences of his actions. The lyrics speak to the complexity of human relationships and the struggle to find meaning and purpose in life.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, I guess by the blood stain of your lips
Based on the evidence of your past experiences
And the wander of your fingertips
Combined with your flirtatious nature
I should prove true to my emptiness
I should be faithful to my own lack of purpose
And stay here
And not go searching for something else
Well, I'm just a kid of ill repute
I have a bad reputation
But the skin I wear is my only suit
I only have myself to present to the world
And you, you're just a substitute
And you're just a temporary replacement
For the one that I hold dear
For the one I really care about
You know, you could be anyone
I don't really know who you are
God forgive my tasteless tongue
I hope I'm not being rude
I never should have been set free
I should have been punished for my mistakes
I claw my eyes, I skin my face
I hurt myself as a form of self-punishment
Beg somehow to be replaced
I wish I could replace myself with someone better
That's how we deal with boys like me
This is how people like me cope
Well, I guess for this world so sick with loss
In this world where so much has been lost
And your service is so free of cost
And you offer your services for free
I should climb down off my rugged cross
I should stop playing the victim
And lay with you
And be with you
But you know, by now it's half past late
But it's too late for that
And I only came here for escape
And I only wanted to get away
You you're just my next mistake
You're just another person I'll regret being with
Like me to you
And I'm just another mistake to you
God forgive your unborn sons
I hope your future children don't suffer like me
I hope they don't end up like me
I hope they have a better life than me
I drag my mind through streets of shame
I constantly feel guilty and ashamed
Lay myself forgive the game
I try to forgive myself for my mistakes
But despite what you've been told
Contrary to what you may have heard
I once had a soul
I used to have a sense of purpose
Left somewhere behind
But I lost it along the way
A former friend of mine
Someone I used to know
And I hate to speak so free
And I don't like being so honest
But you mean nothing to me
But I don't really care about you
So if the street lights they shine bright
If the lights are still on outside
I'll get home tonight
I'll make it home
And that to you all things come as a surprise
And you seem to be easily surprised by everything
I should set the steel trap of your thighs
I should take advantage of your vulnerability
And dive right in
And have sex with you
But to you I'm just a confused child
But you see me as immature and lost
Insecure or in denial
As someone who lacks confidence or refuses to accept reality
Go raise your robes, go have your trial
Do what you want, but I won't be a part of it
I'll let you win
I'll give up and let you have your way
God forgive what I should've done
I regret my past actions
A thoughts enough to guilty be
Just the thought of it makes me feel guilty
Yes, I guess I made this bed
I'm responsible for my own problems
But I'll take the sidewalk instead
But I'd rather face the consequences than give in
But despite what you've been told
Contrary to what you may have heard
I once had a soul
I used to have a sense of purpose
Left somewhere behind
But I lost it along the way
A former friend of mine
Someone I used to know
And I hate to sound so true
And I hate to be so honest
But I mean nothing to you
But you don't really care about me
So, if the street lights they shine bright
If the lights are still on outside
I'll be home tonight
I'll make it home
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Adam Hayworth Stephens, Tyson H.D. Vogel
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Toaster Goblins
Lyrics
Well, I guess by the blood stain of your lips
And the wander of your fingertips
I should prove true to my emptiness
And stay here
Well, I'm just a kid of ill repute
But the skin I wear is my only suit
And you, you're just a substitute
For the one that I hold dear
You know, you could be anyone
God forgive my tasteless tongue
I never should have been set free
I claw my eyes, I skin my face
Beg somehow to be replaced
That's how we deal with boys like me
Well, I guess for this world so sick with loss
And your service is so free of cost
I should climb down off my rugged cross
And lay with you
But you know, by now it's half past late
And I only came here for escape
You you're just my next mistake
Like me to you
You know, you could be anyone
God forgive your unborn sons
I hope they don't end up like me
I drag my mind through streets of shame
Lay myself forgive the game
That's how we deal with boys like me
But despite what you've been told
I once had a soul
Left somewhere behind
A former friend of mine
And I hate to speak so free
But you mean nothing to me
So if the street lights they shine bright
I’ll get home tonight
I guess by the dim light in your eyes
And that to you all things come as a surprise
I should set the steel trap of your thighs
And dive right in
But to you I'm just a confused child
Insecure or in denial
Go raise your robes, go have your trial
I’ll let you win
You know, I could be anyone
God forgive what I should've done
A thoughts enough to guilty be
Yes, I guess I made this bed
But I’ll take the sidewalk instead
That's how we deal with boys like me
But despite what you've been told
I once had a soul
Left somewhere behind
A former friend of mine
And I hate to sound so true
But I mean nothing to you
So, if the street lights they shine bright
I’ll be home tonight
Phil DiCiano
Ok, its 2023 now. This video is sitting at 999K views. I can easily listen to this a thousand times. Heres to marching to one million in 2023.
Thank you Two Gallants, this track alone has helped me through so much in life.
captaincalamity
it’s only 78 away now!
breezy
It’s a mil…. I’ve probably listened over 1000 times in 10+ years.
assisvalente
the same here!
Oak Gill
I think this is the most viewed Two Gallants song, and it has less than a million views? This band is so damn underrated!
Anthony Cohen
instaBlaster...
TheGutterKing
11 years after your comment this still holds true, still under 1 Million. Awesome band that I come back to every once in awhile.
William D.
Carrion Crow has more views and less time (granted only a year's worth).
A
@TheGutterKing 12 years later and this no longer holds true. This video now has over 1 million views :)
John Faber
one of my favorite songs of all time.. every time I hear it the lyrics seem to get deeper and I can relate yo it more...