"Blue Dahlia" song meaning

Man, holy crap. My favorite song off Handwritten, hands down.

It really has that '59 Sound vibe, which probably was the reason for not having it on the album. It's so good though.

Is anyone else really annoyed by the weird clicking sound at the end of the song? Don't think it's been mentioned yet, during the "come see about me" part at the end there's a weird sound every 4 beats.

I thinking coming clean and apologies is that he was unfaithful or was at fault for the relationship ending explaining his loneliness

OldManShoes3 wrote:

Is anyone else really annoyed by the weird clicking sound at the end of the song? Don't think it's been mentioned yet, during the "come see about me" part at the end there's a weird sound every 4 beats.

yeah I'm not sure what to make of it...

OldManShoes3 wrote:

Is anyone else really annoyed by the weird clicking sound at the end of the song? Don't think it's been mentioned yet, during the "come see about me" part at the end there's a weird sound every 4 beats.

I don't know what it's called but it's just a little percussion instrument

subconscious ritual wrote:

"Every street light, a reminder" is from Nightswimming (REM). Brought back some memories when I heard that line.

beautiful song

simo wrote:

OldManShoes3 wrote:

Is anyone else really annoyed by the weird clicking sound at the end of the song? Don't think it's been mentioned yet, during the "come see about me" part at the end there's a weird sound every 4 beats.

I don't know what it's called but it's just a little percussion instrument

Castanets? It kinda sounds like that to me.

I thought it was one of these:



I don't really think it's necessary but it doesn't annoy me either luckily.

I thought it was one of those too. The first time I heard it I thought my headphones were playing up haha. Doesn't detract from the awesomeness of this song.

I just read this,
"Strangely, no blue variety has ever been cultivated, hence "blue dahlia" is sometimes used figuratively for something impossible or unattainable"

Makes perfect sense now!

loazis wrote:

I thought it was one of these:



I don't really think it's necessary but it doesn't annoy me either luckily.

I believe it's actually some of these:

Hey guys, as a fan of both the band and the film, I thought I'd weigh in. Expect spoilers for the movie, but since it was never released on DVD, you won't likely see it soon. You'll have to find an old copy on VHS or hope it comes on TV.

Blue Dahlia is a dark and accurate portrayal of men returning from World War II. Our hero returns to his estranged wife who is cold, cruel, and gloats that she has cheated on him. Her drunken irresponsible behavior while he was overseas at war caused the death of their child. They have a public argument, and she is found dead. He is wanted for her murder, but believes the owner of The Blue Dahlia night club (I believed they died the flowers blue) is the murderer. He sets out to prove his innocence, and meets a girl on the road. She is damaged goods, and he has to clear his name before they can be together. It's a murder mystery film noir thriller not to be missed.

Like many Gaslight Anthem songs, i.e. Great Expectations, the influences from the stories with the the same title are often loose and veer off from the books, movies, or other songs.

Its kind of obvious why this wasn't on the album despite being a favourite for a lot of people. Its too throwback to the 59 Sound album. Not necessarilly in sound but lyrically. In the third verse alone there are three references to 4th of July Asbury Park (Sandy) so I think it was left off so as not to draw the usual Springsteen comparisons.

Interested to see this film though!! Even if the song wasnt entirely written about it, it seems like it relates a little.

Jerseyrain wrote:

Its kind of obvious why this wasn't on the album despite being a favourite for a lot of people. Its too throwback to the 59 Sound album. Not necessarilly in sound but lyrically. In the third verse alone there are three references to 4th of July Asbury Park (Sandy) so I think it was left off so as not to draw the usual Springsteen comparisons.

Interested to see this film though!! Even if the song wasnt entirely written about it, it seems like it relates a little.

I tend to agree, but I feel like with a little bit of reworking this song still could have been an absolute hit even though it's definitely a 59S throwback. Don't get me wrong at all, I love this song, but I almost feel like it's a bunch of somewhat disjointed parts, each of which I individually love. If this hadn't been an extra track, and had received the attention and revisions of a full album track, it would have been possibly gotten into my top 3 TGA songs ever. As it is though, it's pretty high up there for me anyway, and it grows on me a bit more every day.

StateOfLoveAndGaslight wrote:

Jerseyrain wrote:

Its kind of obvious why this wasn't on the album despite being a favourite for a lot of people. Its too throwback to the 59 Sound album. Not necessarilly in sound but lyrically. In the third verse alone there are three references to 4th of July Asbury Park (Sandy) so I think it was left off so as not to draw the usual Springsteen comparisons.

Interested to see this film though!! Even if the song wasnt entirely written about it, it seems like it relates a little.

I tend to agree, but I feel like with a little bit of reworking this song still could have been an absolute hit even though it's definitely a 59S throwback. Don't get me wrong at all, I love this song, but I almost feel like it's a bunch of somewhat disjointed parts, each of which I individually love. If this hadn't been an extra track, and had received the attention and revisions of a full album track, it would have been possibly gotten into my top 3 TGA songs ever. As it is though, it's pretty high up there for me anyway, and it grows on me a bit more every day.

Its definitely up there for me too. What was it in particular that bothered you though? The key change is kind of jarring at first but once you expect it it sounds great. And other than that I can't really think of anything "wrong" with the song.

I really didn't like it the first many times I heard it. I hated the key change and thought certain parts didn't fit. Now i love it and it's one of my favorites. I love how it's loud, then goes to a really "cool" sounding verse, then loud chorus, then jumps right back into the verse. Sounds like a dream to me, which is really really awesome.

I feel the same way about the key change, but it's definitely grown on me. Lyrically it's a beautiful song.

Loving this song!!!!! playing it loud in the car and singing it proud

THE question is: will they play this live? They haven't done so far, but I can imagine that this would be a fenomenal addition to the setlist... I can even think of it as a show closer (or perhaps right before the encore)

mingus wrote:

THE question is: will they play this live? They haven't done so far, but I can imagine that this would be a fenomenal addition to the setlist... I can even think of it as a show closer (or perhaps right before the encore)

I can't see them ignoring it. at all.

Im gonna damn well request it!!!!

JJW319 wrote:

mingus wrote:

THE question is: will they play this live? They haven't done so far, but I can imagine that this would be a fenomenal addition to the setlist... I can even think of it as a show closer (or perhaps right before the encore)

I can't see them ignoring it. at all.

Don't know... They didn't play it at in New York, which was a day after the album release and which had eight album songs in it.

On the other hand, it took a while before they started playing She Loves You. So, fingers crossed!

bringiton_ty wrote:

Im gonna damn well request it!!!!

Me too for Birmingham! If a few of us all request it you never know maybe they will play it!

well get a chant going, or try and meet them before and ask haha!!! be awesome to hear that live

mingus wrote:

THE question is: will they play this live? They haven't done so far, but I can imagine that this would be a fenomenal addition to the setlist... I can even think of it as a show closer (or perhaps right before the encore)

Id hope so. She Loves You has had a lot of plays now!!