Black Gold

Soul Asylum

Two boys on a playground
Tryin' to push each other down
See the crowd gather 'round
Nothing attracts a crowd like a crowd

Black gold in a white plight
Won't you fill up the tank, let's go for a ride
I don't care 'bout no wheelchair
I've got so much left to do with my life

Moving backwards through time
Never learn, never mind
That side's yours, this side's mine
Brother you ain't my kind

You're a black soldier, white fight
Won't you fill up the tank, let's go for a ride
Sure like to feel some pride
But this place just makes me feel sad inside

Mother, do you know where your kids are tonight?

Keeps the kids off the streets
Gives 'em something to do, something to eat
This spot was a playground
This flat land used to be a town

Black gold in a white plight
Won't you fill up the tank, let's go for a ride
Sure like to feel some pride
But this place just makes me feel sad inside

Black gold in a white plight
Won't you fill up the tank, let's go for a ride
I don't care 'bout no wheelchair
I've got so much left to do with my life


Lyrics submitted by chronoso

Black Gold Lyrics as written by David Anthony Pirner David Pirner

Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

Lyrics powered by LyricFind

Black Gold song meanings
Add Your Thoughts

18 Comments

sort form View by:
  • +3
    General Comment
    I believe this is a song about the Gulf War. It seems th be from the perspective of a disabled soldier, a black soldier in a white fight. Meaning he felt he was an under privilaged means to line the pocketbooks of the rich with even more money.... and for what? To fill up the tank and go for a ride. He'd like to be proud of the work he did as a soldier of this country, but he in hindsight realises the ends don't always justify the means (this spot was a playground, this flat land used to be a town) And further trivializes the dispute to the likeness of children fighting on a playground. I believe it is about someone who feels that they were used, and is kinda pissed about it.
    funkthagrideon September 14, 2007   Link
  • +3
    My Interpretation
    I always interpreted it as being about the Gulf War. Seemed obvious to me. While bombast's interpretation is interesting, and I always enjoy looking at songs in a new light, I definitely don't look at the song as being about that.
    zimdelinvasoron January 13, 2011   Link
  • +3
    General Comment
    The meaning of the song has been the topic of many debates. Some fans state that it simply is about racism and/or black soldiers fighting in a war ("You're a black soldier, white fight"). Other disagree and claim it is about the greed for oil (Black Gold is another term for oil). One other theory maintains that it is about the Gulf War and the obvious references to the Persian Gulf in the music video supports this theory. Dave Pirner is shown in the reflection of a pool which mirrors the shape of the Persian Gulf. Many lyrics from the song do match this idea. The lyrics "Two boys on a playground/trying to push each other down" could possibly mean the USA and Iraq fighting over "Black Gold". It has been theorized that the lines "Keeps the kids off the streets/gives 'em something to do, something to eat" could mean young men and women ("kids") joining the military. And there is the fact that at about 1:56 various noises are heard: ambulance sirens, screams, cries, and what appears to be a news cast, which could represent the war. Pirner himself stated that the song was about war at the Dogwood Festival in Fayetteville, NC on April 24, 2010. He also stated that he was against war. Read more at songmeanings.net/songs/view/51471/
    esmjlm080507on January 03, 2013   Link
  • +2
    General Comment
    Yep, Oil and the Gulf War..."2 kids on a play ground...tryin to push each other 'round...see the crowd gather round...." is USA and Iraq.
    Custerfluxon December 26, 2006   Link
  • +2
    General Comment
    Yes, this is an incredible song. And I had always thought about it as a gulf war song. I don't think the lyrics above are exactly correct. It seems to also be about racism, black soldiers fighting a racist war for oil. And there seems to be a wounded vet in a wheelchair who functions as the conscience of the song.
    LAXileon February 19, 2007   Link
  • +1
    General Comment
    Only one other comment!!! Damn, this song has become a lost treasure.
    Foundation4lifeon February 28, 2006   Link
  • +1
    General Comment
    Best Soul Asylum song. This band is sooooo underrated. Pirner is a genius.
    ebowtheletteron May 31, 2006   Link
  • +1
    General Comment
    Gulf War? A change in someone's life? I thought it was about racism...and oil and...I have no idea dude.
    Alyssa_Jones37on February 19, 2007   Link
  • +1
    General Comment
    This is a great song. Kind of weird that I find this is a perfect road trip song, yet its meaning is a tad depressing.
    gocubsgo708on December 07, 2008   Link
  • +1
    General Comment
    I had always thought this song was about race, but the gulf war makes more sense. If this song is about the gulf war, then 'fill up the tank' could have a hidden meaning.
    TheMonolithon October 06, 2009   Link

Add your thoughts

Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.

Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!

More Featured Meanings

Album art
Indigo
Of Mice & Men
This track is about is about questioning why the sky would choose to be blue if it had the choice to be anything else, “blue also meaning sad,” states frontman Aaron Pauley. “It's about comforting a loved one in a time of loss by telling them you feel blue, too.”
Album art
System
Mel And Kim
Just listening for the 784,654th time....and it's just perfect in every way. Just incredible. The only reason it was remade was to scoop up a boatload of money from a more modern and accepting audience. But it is a completely different song than the other one that sounds slapped together in a few takes without a thought for the meaning. This song captivates me still, after 50+ years. Takes me to the deep South and the poverty of some who lived thru truly hard times. And the powerful spirit of a poor young girl being abandoned to her future with only a red dress and her wits to keep her alive. She not only stayed alive, she turned her hard beginnings around, became self sufficient, successful and someone with respect for herself. She didn't let the naysayers and judgers stop her. She's the one sitting in the drivers seat at the end. So, not a song about a poor girl, but a song of hope and how you can rise up no matter how far down you started. There is a huge difference between a singer who simply belts out a song that is on a page in front of them, and someone who can convey an entire experience with their voice. Telling not just a story with words, but taking you inside it and making you feel like you are there, with their interpretation.
Album art
Loved by You
Justin Bieber
The fourteenth track, "Loved By You" of the singer's latest studio album titled "Justice", was produced by Josh Gudwin, Skrillex, Jason Evigan & LeriQ. It was released on March 19, 2021.
Album art
Better Than Feeling Lonely
Olivia O'Brien
This standalone single is the latest in the artiste's album run out. It was produced by Rogét Chahayed, Taylor Dexter & Wesley Singerman, and released via major streaming platforms on January 1, 2021.
Album art
Real Groove
Kylie Minogue
This standalone single marks the latest collaboration between the artists. It was produced by Nico Stadi & Teemu Brunila and released on December 31, 2020.