| The Gaslight Anthem – American Slang Lyrics | 10 years ago |
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I hear this song as about his father. He opens the song by addressing him directly: "look what you started" referring to himself "look what you've forgotten here" - his father has left him "I called for my father, but my father had died" This is such a powerful line. It really moves me. His father is not dead, but he is left to feel that way because, instinctually, he calls out for him, but he is not there. On Handwritten, in the song "Keepsake", Brian also addresses his father, continuing the theme of death: He is "just sniffing out blood; just a little taste of where I came from" Brian is obviously referring to his father in Keepsake, and again uses language suggesting death: "At the bottom of this river, where I put you down to lay, so I could live with it". It wasn't until I heard Gaslight follow American Slang with Keepsake at a show this year that I truly heard American Slang as a song that is about his father. I believe the queen to whom Brian refers is his mother. I also think that she is the one telling him "fortunes" to make him feel better, as he cries out in pain for his father. "Here's where we died that time last year" Either a pain experienced by Brian and his mother, or another reference to his father's departure as his death. "where the angels and devils meet" (His mother and father) "and you can dance with the queen if you need" Addressing his father, I'm not sure why he refers to dancing, perhaps a reference to the manner in which he departs" Here is my most speculative line interpretation: "she will always keep your cards so close to her heart, before they tear you apart" His father may try to send cards, but they are not a legitimate attempt to reconnect. Brian's mother protects him by keeping the cards away from him, "close to her heart" seems to be a reference to the intense emotional burden she shoulders in keeping the cards, as well as a subtle reference to poker players, playing their cards "close to their vest". Brian's mother is attempting to protect him, "before they tear you apart". Overall, a great song, and very emotional. |
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