Overall about difficult moments of disappointment and vulnerability. Having hope and longing, while remaining optimistic for the future. Encourages the belief that with each new morning there is a chance for things to improve.
The chorus offers a glimmer of optimism and a chance at a resolution and redemption in the future.
Captures the rollercoaster of emotions of feeling lost while loving someone who is not there for you, feeling let down and abandoned while waiting for a lover. Lost with no direction, "Now I'm up in the air with the rain in my hair, Nowhere to go, I can go anywhere"
The bridge shows signs of longing and a plea for companionship. The Lyrics express a desire for authentic connection and the importance of Loving someone just as they are. "Just in passing, I'm not asking. That you be anyone but you”
Shortly after Evelyn
was doused with gasoline
and just a few miles off the avenue
a lighter flashed into a puff of smoke
for thirty years Walter worked right there
five days out of every week
that's where he watched his hometown fade
the last came fast and furious
chorus
just step in one direction
stutter step for one split second
faster through the intersection
a jackknife to a swan
and he was gone
when Walter's shift was over
he'd head out to catch the red line home
two stops away his family slept
he'd be there when they got out of bed
destination subway station
someone yelled so he looked back
five guys were heading his way
he ran to catch that last train home,
chorus
just step in one direction
stutter step for one split second
faster through the intersection
a jackknife to a swan
and he was gone
oh Walter ran - did they kill Evelyn?
he had his token in his hand
but he jumped over the turnstile
and he ran down the platform
they were hot on his heels
an outbound was bearing down on him
Walter jumped in front of it
chorus
just step in one direction
stutter step for one split second
faster through the intersection
a jackknife to a swan and he was
step in one direction
stutter step for one split second
faster through the intersection
a jackknife to a swan and he was gone
was doused with gasoline
and just a few miles off the avenue
a lighter flashed into a puff of smoke
for thirty years Walter worked right there
five days out of every week
that's where he watched his hometown fade
the last came fast and furious
chorus
just step in one direction
stutter step for one split second
faster through the intersection
a jackknife to a swan
and he was gone
when Walter's shift was over
he'd head out to catch the red line home
two stops away his family slept
he'd be there when they got out of bed
destination subway station
someone yelled so he looked back
five guys were heading his way
he ran to catch that last train home,
chorus
just step in one direction
stutter step for one split second
faster through the intersection
a jackknife to a swan
and he was gone
oh Walter ran - did they kill Evelyn?
he had his token in his hand
but he jumped over the turnstile
and he ran down the platform
they were hot on his heels
an outbound was bearing down on him
Walter jumped in front of it
chorus
just step in one direction
stutter step for one split second
faster through the intersection
a jackknife to a swan and he was
step in one direction
stutter step for one split second
faster through the intersection
a jackknife to a swan and he was gone
Lyrics submitted by skatoonist_sazzy
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i had to submit this off the new album comin out soon! it is one of the best it just goes to show what a talent the bosstones are being able to keep on goin and keep releasing new albums peace out n i hope that Dickie and co keep on doin what they do best!!!:)
fuckin a wanna the most skatastic songs on the album...dickie ben and da rest of da the tones didnt let me down once again....ToneS kick ass....
I must say.. this cd is the best since Question the Answers.. This song is soo awesome.. I've been a fan for the longest time.. and they still surprise me album after album...
I don't get the meaning of this song...
I'm not sure but I think the swan represents a tattoo and the guy in the song gets stabbed with a jacknife in the swantattoo...at least that's a possibility....great song by the way...bosstones rule.
Yeah, I agree with fatwrecked the tattos right near his heart and he talks about the guy dieing.. just a hunch tho.. This cd is great!!
I think it is about sometimes having to take risks, and not regretting them:"Step in one direction" Even if it doesn't work out. You can't go worrying about death and money(Walter's shift) and things like that.
From the mouth of Joe Gittleman, in the song the saying "A jack knife to a swan" means that the character named Walter dove in front of the train, doing a jack knife to a swan dive.
isnt a jack knife a movment when a train curves and crashes into something else. When it talks about the streets and intersections i think it has to do something with that kind of like what yossarian
Anyone know anything about the true story behind this song? Just curious. Dickie said in an interview that it's based on real events that took place in Boston.