Boxer

Boxer

You got your pride and your prose tucked just like a tommy gun
somewhere in the smoke just in case you need it

I know you got your pride and your prose tucked just like a tommy gun
But somewhere in the smoke just in case you needed some
I heard it's been a ride, rougher than the last one
Once you used to say, oh, the harder they come
But he, he swears he's praying for a good time
And he, he said he just doesn't miss her
And I have heard you never really lose it, do ya? do ya?

You took it all gracefully on the chin
Knowing that the beatings had to some day end
You found the bandages inside the pen and the stitches on the radio
But there was something heavy holding you down
And there were whispers that were driving you crazy
And now you haunt the heart of this town
Remember when I knew a boxer, baby

And your tattooed knuckles, oh how they grind down
Try to be a man, tough just like your father
Try to settle down, more like calm down
Remember them songs and the reasons we were singing for
But he said, he just doesn't miss her
And he, he says it's somewhere in his framework
And I have heard you never really lose it, do ya? do ya?

You took it all gracefully on the chin
Knowing that the beatings had to some day end
You found the bandages inside the pen and the stitches on the radio
But there was something heavy holding you down
And there were reasons that were driving you crazy
Until you haunt the heart of this town
Remember when I knew a boxer, baby

And you can wait all night long, until it all goes wrong
And you waste away your soul
And you can wait wait wait wait

You took it all gracefully on the chin
Knowing that the beatings had to some day end
You found the bandages inside the pen and the stitches on the radio
But there was something heavy holding you down
And there were whispers that were driving you crazy
Until you haunt the heart of this town
Remember when I knew a boxer, baby

really like this song it catches me out every time when i listen to the album!

i love Boxer so much.

Found the bandages inside the pen and the stitches on the radio

Love that line.

loazis wrote:

Found the bandages inside the pen and the stitches on the radio

Love that line.

I admit that I didn't know what that meant at first. But after reading it's context in the song I agree that it's such a great line. Such smart writing on Brian's part.

I love the intro.

Best song off the record

loazis wrote:

Found the bandages inside the pen and the stitches on the radio

Love that line.

Love that line too

I'm almost certain that instead of "heard", it's "haunt".

This is a very Loved Ones-esque song, cept maybe for the "baby's". Dave writes lyrics like this, and I can even picture his voice with this arrangment and melody.

the start of this song always make's me giggle like a school girl

If we are talking meanings I guess it is about a person, possibly brian or a friend of his, who was having a hard time in life and everything was getting them down, but writing and music always had their back. And now they are doing good and are using writing and music in a productive manner.

Also, this is definitely a stand out track. I even heard it being played on XM radio.

PFREEZY wrote:

If we are talking meanings I guess it is about a person, possibly brian or a friend of his, who was having a hard time in life and everything was getting them down, but writing and music always had their back. And now they are doing good and are using writing and music in a productive manner.

yeah that's what i though too. no matter how hard life got, music has always been there for them, sticking through the hard and the bad times.
and even if things are better now, you don't have to forget where you come from and all you've been through to get to where you are: that's what i understand with Remember them songs and the reasons we were singing for

You found the bandages inside the pen and the stitches on the radio = best line on the song, probably one my fav lines of all times.
the only thing that i dont get is the baby at the end of the chorus... xD

Overheard someone asking Brian about boxer after the Manchester show. It's about a good friend of his, who is a year older than him and who he described as "the best"

Listen to The Blues Mary and the line, "My baby swings like a boxer", possible reference?

Perry wrote:

Listen to The Blues Mary and the line, "My baby swings like a boxer", possible reference?

Don't think so, my baby used to swing like a boxer as well, hit me under the chin multiple times.

this is one of my favorite songs! i translate boxer into "fighter"...not an actual fighter but you get it

PFREEZY wrote:

If we are talking meanings I guess it is about a person, possibly brian or a friend of his, who was having a hard time in life and everything was getting them down, but writing and music always had their back. And now they are doing good and are using writing and music in a productive manner.

Also, this is definitely a stand out track. I even heard it being played on XM radio.

Don't know if anyone has posted this here or not, but here's an interview with Brian where he talks about the story behind Boxer. He says it's about a friend of his who went through a painful divorce recently. The song was his way of encouraging his friend to keep his chin up and keep on keeping on. The whole interview is really cool, but the Boxer stuff starts around 4:20.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1DBXKBdOmww

thanks.

they are doing something right, in general. i wish more people were like this. everyone thinks bigger is better. we all want more in someway. i'm glad i have things and bands like the gaslight to remind me that of what is important.

ral wrote:

I know you got your pride and your prose tucked just like a tommy gun
But somewhere in the smoke just in case you needed some
I heard it's been a ride, rougher than the last one

I always thought it said "But somewhere in the smoke just in case you needed
some of her to spin around..."

Sorry having to ask .. but since I'm not a native speaker:
what exactly does the line "found the bandages inside the pen and the stitches on the radio" mean? Any help with this?

Still my favourite song of the album - together with Diamond Church Street Choir. Both caught me totally from the first time I listened to them!

enola wrote:

Sorry having to ask .. but since I'm not a native speaker:
what exactly does the line "found the bandages inside the pen and the stitches on the radio" mean? Any help with this?

Still my favourite song of the album - together with Diamond Church Street Choir. Both caught me totally from the first time I listened to them!

hehe you don't have to apologize for asking. this is my take: 'found the bandages inside the pen' basically means finding healing through writing...and the stitches on the radio is also like healing/recovery through music (healing from emotions, not physical pain). that's just my opinion and it makes sense since the song is about getting through a rough time.

azlisa wrote:

hehe you don't have to apologize for asking. this is my take: 'found the bandages inside the pen' basically means finding healing through writing...and the stitches on the radio is also like healing/recovery through music (healing from emotions, not physical pain). that's just my opinion and it makes sense since the song is about getting through a rough time.

Ahhhh - finally it's all making sense!! THAT line is a beautiful way to put it ... now I love it even more - if that's possible...
Thank you so much!

loazis wrote:

Found the bandages inside the pen and the stitches on the radio

Love that line.

Great line.. as a side note, whenever I hear this song I can't help but think about the L.E. Stitches http://www.nytrash.com/stitches.html

LBInjSurfer wrote:

loazis wrote:

Found the bandages inside the pen and the stitches on the radio

Love that line.

Yup - that line makes me cry every time!