Angry Johnny and The Radio

I guess I'm not revealing anything to you guys, that this song is a pure tribute/answer to Bob Dylan's "Subterranean Homesick Blues"

See :

Don't think twice, I still believe it John.
We lived those nights, like we were dying...
On the long haul drives, for our Maria...
With the ragged sails high, and the radio on.

And I always have remembered, in case you're wondering,
84 takes a lifetime, and Bobby does it better.
I still sing 'em ragged for you and Maria.
I don't drive nowhere, without the radio on.

And I'm still here singin'... Thinking 'bout the government.
In my old man shoes, and how you'd understand that.
Are you hiding in a basement, mixin' up the medicine?
Every April Fool's I say your name.
I know you name.
I still know your name.

And Bobby's song is :

Johnny's in the basement

Mixing up the medicine
I'm on the pavement

Thinking about the government
The man in the trench coat
Badge out, laid off
Says he's got a bad cough
Wants to get it paid off
Look out kid
It's somethin' you did
God knows when
But you're doin' it again
You better duck down the alley way
Lookin' for a new friend
The man in the coon-skin cap
In the big pen
Wants eleven dollar bills
You only got ten

I did not know this, haven't listened to Sink Or Swim alot yet.

love the Dylan song though.
'Don't Think Twice' is another Dylan reference for sure too.

This is why I love this forum so much... I had no idea about that, I have never been a Dylan fan, maybe it is time I give him a chance.

Oh my god, e6c, you are missing out.

Wahou, that's cool to see I can be useful, sometimes.
Still the first verses must be dedicated to something else, I think (but what?)

I used to HATE Dylan until last year.
Bringing It All Back Home and The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan are MUSTS and I'd say if you dig those get Highway 61 Revisited too.

I think the first verse is just talking about a friend he knew who also loved Dylan about the times they shared.

I also had no idea! Gaslight Anthem are such rip-offs, I love them to bits but seriously haha

I wouldn't call it rip-offs, I love the aspect they have of referencing literature and music so that you can connect on a different level than just THIS SONG MAKES ME THINK OF MY EX or whatever the typical band stirs memories of.

I agree... I really enjoy all the references... I think I have become of many new bands, just because TGA mentions them

I like the references to stuff to, it's fun when you catch things like that. This band might take it to an extreme, but whatever; it seems like Brian puts more effort into his lyrics than a lot of other bands.

Stalls_Standing wrote:

I also had no idea! Gaslight Anthem are such rip-offs, I love them to bits but seriously haha

I see it more of an honor- his way of playing tribute to them- sort of a "thank you". I like and respect your music so much, I'm going to sneak some of it in my songs. Could be totally off- but that's sort of how I see it.

Well I know Brian said all of the stuff he writes is true so I see him incorporating the lyrics or references in there are just incorporating whatever song or music he associates with the theme the song conveys or the way he felt when he first heard or got really into the song or band.

"And I always have remembered, in case you're wondering,
84 takes a lifetime, and Bobby does it better.
I still sing 'em ragged for you and Maria.
I don't drive nowhere, without the radio on."

"We always loved the sad, sad songs"

I kinda assumed that this song was about the same deceased friend as The 59 Sound, but here he's talking about what brought them together in the first place, i.e. a love of Bob Dylan, and the "sad sad songs".

Just me?

i always thought 84 was about 84 Lumber...maybe not

i dont know if anyones caught this yet
but when they do this live, brian sometimes during the soul breakdonw part, says
" What becomes of the brokenhearted
Who has love that's now departed
I know I've got to find
Some kind of peace of mind, baby"
which is from Jimmy Ruffin's
" what becomes of the broken hearted"
just thought that wqas cool, another preview into brians ipod haha

Yeah, I do love it when Brian sings that song, I really really really love it!

thought it was very cool in that live video from australia where he sings the breakdown:

http://www.moshcam.com/#?page=player&type=gig&id=152