'97

This is the best angry song ever.

This song is one of ALK3's most amazing songs! They put everything they have into it live, its absolute genius, there is a live version out with a 2nd verse. Its very good, what an amazing band!

Back in the City The Sun bakes the trash on the curb where the men are pissing in doorways rats are running in herds

Had a dream with your face in it It scared me awake I put too much on the table I put too much at stake

Those words are the original ending, judging by those I think the song is about a girl, however the drug idea DOES make sense...

Theres an interview with Matt Skiba in a High Times magazine. He says something along the lines of everyone though 97 was about a girl but it was actually about when he got caught in his car with some weed and was bummed and had 18 months of probation.

This song rocks my world live... there's something extremely cathartic about repeatedly screaming "I don't deserve this'... oh how i love this band

I like the original version of this song better with the alternate ending...

i saw them do this live at manchester (and leeds too, 2 days before) but at manchester it was amazing, he broke off into tori amos half way through and we were so at the front, squashed.. half dead... but at the front. this rocks my world and my head and my boat x x

yo, yo, got this live bootlegged sorta romp thru this song that makes its meaning abundantly clear: pot. he says "smoking for eighteen months". the breathing and memory images are also clear, i think.

wow. how in love am i with matt skiba? very much. this song is genius...and beautiful.

I also "heart" Matt Skiba...the whole song reminds me about a bad breakup...18 months really does feel like eternity, guys.