The '59 Sound

The Gaslight Anthem The '59 Sound Lyrics
1.Great Expectations

Mary, this station is playing every sad song.
I remember like we were alive.
I heard and sung them all from inside of these walls.
In a prison cell, where we spent those nights.
And they burnt up the diner where I always used to find her.
Licking young boys blood from her claws.
And I learned about the blues from this kitten I knew.
Her hair was raven and her heart was like a tomb.
My heart's like a wound.

I saw tail lights last night in a dream about my first wife.
Everybody leaves and I'd expect as much from you.
I saw tail lights last night in a dream about my old life.
Everybody leaves, so why, why wouldn't you?

Mary, I worried and stalled every night of my life.
Better safe than making the party.
And I never had a good time, I sat my bedside, with papers and
poetry about Estella.
With great expectations, we had the greatest expectations.

I saw tail lights last night in a dream about my first wife.
Everybody leaves and I'd expect as much from you.
I saw tail lights last night in a dream about my old life.
Everybody leaves, so why, why wouldn't you?

It's funny how the night moves.
Humming a song from 1962.
We were always waiting...always waiting.
We were always waiting for something to happen.

I saw tail lights last night in a dream about my first wife.
Everybody leaves and I'd expect as much from you.
I saw tail lights last night in a dream about my old life.
Everybody leaves, so why, why wouldn't you?


2.The 59 Sound

Well, I wonder which song they're gonna play when we go.
I hope it's something quiet and minor and peaceful and slow.
When we float out into the ether, into the Everlasting Arms,
I hope we don't hear Marley's chains we forged in life.
'Cause the chains I been hearing now for most of my life.

Did you hear the '59 Sound coming through on Grandmama's radio?
Did you hear the rattling chains in the hospital walls?
Did you hear the old gospel choir when they came to carry you
over?
Did you hear your favorite song one last time?

And I wonder were you scared when the metal hit the glass?
See, I was playing a show down the road
When your spirit left your body.
And they told me on the front lawn.
I'm sorry I couldn't go,
But I still know the song and the words and her name and the
reasons.
And I know 'cause we were kids and we used to hang.


Young boys, young girls, ain't supposed to die on a Saturday
night.


3.Old White Lincoln

If I could write, I'd tell you how much I miss these nights.
Where we dig around the bones, try to find peace and patches for
the holes.
I lit a cigarette on a parking meter.
Corner boys told her how I was dying to meet her.
Like a prayer I said, on a dead man's knee.
You drove up like a parade.

You and your high top sneakers and your sailor tattoos.
Your old '55 that you drove through the roof.
Of the sky, up above these glimmering stars.
Where you just kept coming apart, straight in my arms.

And I miss her sometimes.
Shaking like a leaf on the corner of life.
But I heard it's alright.
The radio spoke to a good friend of mine.
And I could feel it coming up as the nights getting warm.
Saw your summer dress hanging on the back of the lawn.
Like a dream I remember from an easier time.
With the top rolled down on a Saturday night.

You and your high top sneakers and your sailor tattoos.
Your old '55 that you drove through the roof.
Of the sky, up above these (?) stars.
Where you just kept coming apart, straight in my arms.
Right in my arms.

And I always dreamed of Classic cars and movie screens.
Trying to find someway to be redeemed.
Baby darling, we will be, in the cold cold ground.

You and your high top sneakers and your sailor tattoos.
Your old '55 that you drove through the roof.
Of the sky, up above these (?) stars.
Where you just kept coming apart, straight in my arms.
You fell straight in my arms.


4.High Lonesome

So the ambulances came
They took your pulse and packed up your things
And the papers read
Some boys forget what the heart it brings
And the pounding in the street
Was your heart in four four time
And the taste of defeat
Was was never too far from your mind

And Maria came from Nashville with a suitcase in her hand
I always kinda sorta wished I looked like Elvis
And in my head there's all these classic cars
And outlaw cowboy bands
I always kinda sorta wish I'm someone else

So gravity came
And stole the temple that the schoolboys praised
And the crowd shuffled in
You're getting drinks for the same boys
Who once bought you everything
And the patter on the bar
Was just this one time
The patter on the bar
Was just this one night
Only to get by

And Maria came from Nashville with a suitcase in her hand
I always kinda sorta wished I looked like Elvis
And in my head there's all these classic cars
And outlaw cowboy bands
I always kinda sorta wish I'm someone else

There were Southern accents
On the radio
As I drove home
And at night I wake up with the sheets soaking wet
It's a pretty good song
Maybe you know the rest
Maybe you know the rest

And Maria came from Nashville with a suitcase in her hand
Always kinda sorta wished I looked like Elvis
And in my head there's all these classic cars
And outlaw cowboy bands
I always kinda sorta wish I'm someone else

When our boots they hit the ground
They made a high and lonesome sound
When our boots they hit the ground
They made a high and lonesome sound
When our boots they hit the ground
They made a high and lonesome sound
When our boots they hit the ground
Down from the clouds
They made a high and lonesome sound


5.Film Noir

I'm all washed out by the side of the road
Broken bones, Matilda left a note and a rose
Saying 'Baby, honey child, I love you so long but you deserve
much better than me'

So I'm just burning all around, all the miles on the road
And I'm never going back, and I'm never going home
I've been gone too long, I've been less right than wrong
I've lost so much blood in the falling out

And I lit a fire that wouldn't go out
Until it consumed the walls and roof of this house
Until all I remember was burning away
And all I remember, you burnt it away

See for 10 long years I've been hustling around
Trying to wash the sins and sweat from my brow
Just trying to find a better life for me and my own
Just some rest for these tired working fingers

But nobody never gonna tell you the way
You gotta figure it out boys and suffer the rain
And the fools in the night, and the heat in the day
When all you ever really wanted was someone to understand

And I lit a fire that wouldn't go out
Until it consumed the walls and roof of this house
Until all I remember was burning away
And all I remember, you burnt it away
Well don't you take it so hard and baby don't you cry
Cross your hard heart and hope to die
Don't you tell me no more lies, you lied all the time
Don't you tell me no more lies, you lied every night

And your sugar and spice, and everything nice
You got Monroe hips, your poison lips and eyes
And your sugar and spice, and everything nice
You got open wounds in a young boy's pride

And I lit a fire that wouldn't go out
Until it consumed the walls and roof of this house
Until all I remember was burning away
And all I had left, you burnt it away
Well don't you take it so hard and baby don't you cry
Cross your hard heart and hope to die
Don't you tell me no more lies, you lied all the time
Don't you tell me no more lies, you lied every night


6.Miles Davis And The Cool

Look Miles Davis, I've been swayed by the cool.
There's just something about the summertime.
There's just something about the moon.
So I'll lay a kiss on this storm, toss it upside your window, by
the roof.
Before you change your mind, Miles, bring in the cool.

Now honey, put on your red dress.
And you diamond soul shoes.
Climb on down from that window.
Climb on out of your room.
Cause I've never had a good thing and I've always had the blues.
I always heard that you always kind of wandered, Miles, strike
up the Cool.

Don't wait too long to come home.
My have the years of our youth passed on.
Don't wait too long to come home.
I'll leave the front light on.
The night is our own, come home.

Poor mister pitiful, I can't turn you loose.
You move like a dream I had, woke up sweating in my room.
Your Mama's got plans, your daddy's aim is true.
She never understood that it ain't no good.
Papa never heard the cool.

So now I got out my map and found me a storm.
With a flick of the wrist and the turn of the key.
You'll just fall in my arms.

Don't wait too long to come home.
My have the years of our youth passed on.
Don't wait too long to come home.
I'll leave the front light on.
The night is our own.
You don't wait too long.

So why don't you sing to me on this long drive home?
Let the sound of your voice sway sweet and slow.
As we go down, down, down.
From our youth to the ground.
We might always be blue.
Jackson!

So don't wait too long to come home.
My have the years of our youth passed on.
Don't wait too long to come home.
I will leave the front light.

As we go down, down, down.
From our youth to the ground.
Down, down, down, down, down.


7.The Patient Ferris Wheel

Not tonight, not tonight
Honey I, am on fire
I can't feel a single thing but the weight of the wires
Cracking electric line
Remember baby we were a stone
And we would sleep where we've fallin'

We would fight about it (fight about it! )
We would fight about it (fight about it! )
We laughed about it (laughed about it! )
And we ride on, ride on
Ferris wheel lights on!

I've never felt so strange
Standing in the Jersey rain
Thinking about what an old man said
Maybe I should call me an ambulance

I've never felt so strange
Standing in the pounding rain
Thinking about what my mother once said
Maybe I should call me an ambulance

N-n-not tonight, not tonight
Honey I, am on fire
If we don't go through, they gonna bury us alive
It is great, all of this
Or just what, might have been
Where we could take a seat at the bar with the other broken
heroes

Where they talk about it (talk about it! )
Just talk about it (talk about it! )
Do nothing 'bout it (nothing 'bout it! )
Ride on, ride on
Ferris wheel lights on!

I've never felt so strange
Standing in the Jersey rain
Thinking about what an old man said
Maybe I should call me an ambulance

I've never felt so strange
Standing in the pounding rain
Thinking about what my mother once said
Maybe I should call me an ambulance

I've never felt so strange
Standing in the Jersey rain
Thinking about what wagin' Matty said
Maybe I should call me an ambulance

Maybe I should call me an ambulance

I've never felt so strange
Standing in the Jersey rain
Thinking about what an old man said
Maybe I should call me an ambulance

I've never felt so strange
Standing in the pounding rain
Thinking about what my momma always said
Maybe I should call me an ambulance

Carnival lights!
4th of July!
Boy won't talk!
In the dead of the night!
Always made you smile!
Always made you smile!
Always made you smile!


8.Casanova Baby

Do you hear that whistle wail?
Think the end is coming in?
But I'm a whole lot worse than well
But I'm determined to slip this skin
And I know you're dying for a good time
Dying to breath again
Oh my my, Virginia

We could run all night
And dance upon the architecture
Come and take my hand
I'll do the very best I can
Boy, I still wanna be your man
I'm still these nervous feet and heart of stone
Forget this dead mans town, I'll take you home

Do you hear me late at night?
Always picking at the pieces
Sometimes nothing comes out right
And nothing is relieving
But every slow mans song
Is a night I'd like to spend with you
Just twisting the night away

But it's past a quarter to three
And it's past the midnight hour
Mustang Sally's left the building
And we're so much worse without her
If I could put down this ol' hammer
I'd take you somewhere new
Oh my my, Virginia

We could run all night
And dance upon the architecture
Come and take my hand
I'll do the very best I can
Boy, I still wanna be your man
I'm still these nervous feet and heart of stone
Forget this dead mans town, I'll take you home

Oh my my, Virginia
We could run all night
And dance upon the architecture
Come and take my hand
I'll do the very best I can
And we could run all night
And dance upon the architecture
Come and take my hand
I'll do the very best I can
Boy, I still wanna be your man
I'm still these nervous feet and heart of stone
Forget this dead mans town, I'll take you home


9.Even Cowgirls Get The Blues

I haven't seen Sandy and Johnny, or Mary
I heard they got married
Mighta had a couple babies
And traded their memories
For fairview and makers
And never play no pinball
Or get up pass the breakers

But not me, pretty baby
I still love Tom Petty songs
And driving old men crazy
And all while little Eden is waiting
So you sing me slow songs
And I'll drive you crazy
Tonight

Yeah

But all I want is you to be alright and satisfied
Brothers and sisters know that anytime or let it die
If you call I will answer, I'm open ears though tired eyes
But the world closed it's arms on us now

Can I get a witness pretty baby
I still love Tom Petty songs
And driving old men crazy
And all while little lita is waiting
So you sing me a slow song
And I'll drive you crazy
Tonight

Alright, alright
Alright, alright
All night, all night!

There's a party tonight, say it's alright
Tell your poppa you'll be home when the good feeling dies

But not me, pretty baby
I still love Tom Petty songs
And driving old men crazy
And all while little lita is waiting
So you sing me a slow song darlin'
I'll drive you crazy
Tonight

Alright, alright
Alright, alright
Tonight! Honey!
All night, tonight
And I'll drive you crazy
Tonight


10.Meet Me By The River's Edge

See I've been here for 28 years.
Pounding sweat beneath these wheels.
We tattooed lines beneath our skin.
No surrender, my Bobby Jean.

We've been burned by all our fears.
Just from growing up around here.
Our father's factories marked our cars.
While Eden burned against the stars.

And Sally said, Sally said.
I can't take no more regret.
It cut us deep, into our souls.
Came and climbed into our bed.
And Sally said, Sally said.
Meet me by the River's edge.
We're going to wash these sins away.
Or else we won't come back again.

You know I had these ballroom dreams.
That, as a child, came to me.
I was a boy in Grandma's arms.
A mother's pride and a wounded heart.
And I was full with fiery wonder.
You wore Audrey Hepburn pearls.
You were the only one who understood me then and the only one
who will.

And Sally said, Sally said.
I can't take no more regret.
It cut us deep, into our souls.
Came and climbed into our bed.
And Sally said, Sally said.
Meet me by the River's edge.
We're going to wash these sins away.
Or else we won't come back again.

And now I drive the 101 on the California night.
And I'm amazed at all the stars beneath that old Hollywood sign.
And they waltz, (?), to a place we never kept.
And I'm not sure if we belong here, if I ever really left, or If
I can go home.

And Sally said, Sally said.
I can't take no more regret.
It cut us deep, into our souls.
Came and climbed into our bed.
And Sally said, Sally said.
Meet me by the River's edge.
We're going to wash these sins away.
Or else we won't come back again.

No retreat. No regrets.
Meet me by the river's edge.


11.Here's Looking At You Kid

You can tell Gayle, if she calls, that I'm famous now for all of
these rock and roll songs*
And even if that's a lie, she should've given me a try.
When were kids on the field of the first day of school.
I would've been her fool.
And I would've sang out her name in those old high school halls.
You tell that to Gayle, if she calls.

And you can tell Jane, if she writes, that I'm drunk off all
these stars and all these crazy hollywood nights.
That's total deceit, but she should've married me.
And tell her I spent every night of my youth on the floor,
bleeding out from all these wounds.
I would've gotten her a ride out of that town she despised.
You tell that to Janey, if she writes.

But boys will be boys and girls have those eyes that will cut
you to ribbons sometimes.
And all you can do is just wait by the moon and bleed if it's
what she says you oughta do.

You remind Nana, if she asks why, that a thief stole my heart
while she was making up her mind.
I heard she lives in Brooklyn with the cool, goes crazy over
that New York scene on 7th Avenue.
But I used to wait at the diner, a million nights without her,
praying she won't cancel again tonight.
And the waiter served my coffee with a consolation sigh.
You remind Ana, if she asks why.

You know it's hard to tell you this.
Oh it's hard to tell you this.
Here's looking at you, Kid.


12.The Backseat

In the backseats of burned out cars.
In the disenchantment lane.
The ideal angels twist and turn, ask forgiveness for future
mistakes.
But you and I we've been through this.
Maybe 100 times before.
Always hitching rides with strangers.
Papa warned us about before

But you know the summer always brought it.
That wild and reckless breeze.
And in the backseat, we're just trying to find some room for our
knees.
And in the backseat, we're just trying to find some room to
breathe.

And in the wild desert sun, we drove straight on through the
night.
We rode a fever out of Boston.
Dreamed of California nights.
Come July, we'll ride the Ferris Wheel.
Go round and round and round.
And If you never let me go, well I will never let you down.

But you know the summer always brought it.
That wild and reckless breeze.
And in the backseat, we're just trying to find some room for our
knees.
And in the backseat, we're just trying to find some room to
breathe.

And these cowboys all go crazy in the heat.
Chasing the lights in all the girls
Along the Santa Anna streets that they're just dying to meet.
It meant nothing to me.

You know the summer always brought it.
That wild and reckless breeze.
And in the backseat we're just trying to find some room for our
knees.
Hey!


13.Once Upon a Time

(Originally by Robert Bradley's Blackwater Surprise)

Once upon a time, when I was in high school
I was in love with you, lady and you treated me so cool.
I was drivin' a Chevy '72 had 4 on the floor, girl,
one hundred 20 it would do

I remember Marvin Gaye, singin',
What's goin' on

There was a war, baby, somewhere across the sea
I didn't wanna go and fight, girl, but you were really lovin'
me.
I remember Martin Luther King,
Lord he was the man, baby, that gave us all a dream.

I remember Marvin Gaye, singin',
What's goin' on
Don't play with my love no,
I remember Marvin Gaye, singin', What's goin' on

We used to have sweet music in the park
Lord up at Monterey a they sang throughout the dark
You used to wear girl, those hot pants
When you strolled down the hall,
all the boys wanted a chance...

I remember Marvin Gaye, singin',
What's goin' on
Don't play with my love, no...
I remember Otis Redding, Sittin' at the Dock of the Bay--
ahh, he went away..
I remember Sam Cooke ya'll, Bring It On Home To Me,
from your love I can't be free...
I remember Elvis Presley, and the Blue Suede Shoes
ahh it gave me the blues.
I remember Marvin Gaye, singin'...let's get it on