Our top 10 The Gaslight Anthem songs list presents ten great songs by a New Jersey Band formed in the mid 2000s. With origins established in the East Coast State of New Jersey, the band’s sounds were heavily influenced by New Jersey’s favorite son we all know as Bruce Springsteen. This is no punk band, this is a great rock and roll group that blends east coast Jersey Shore rock with the sounds of classic Boston Irish pub rock bands. One can almost hear the Guinness glasses clanking in the background. Since 2006, the band has released five studio albums, four of which have made it to the Billboard 200.
The Gaslight Anthem’s Career Beginnings and Breakthrough
After coming together in 2006, members of The Gaslight Anthem spent time together solidifying their musicianship. The band would later make its presence in the rock music scene noticeable after it released its debut album, Sink or Swim, in 2007. Sink or Swim was issued through XOXO Records. Unfortunately, the album failed to catapult the band into mainstream success.
Nevertheless, the album was lauded by independent critics bringing some attention to the band’s music. This twelve-track album never made it to any charts. However, it featured musical gems like “Drive,” which helped the band gain some popularity in its homeland New Jersey.
In 2008, The Gaslight Anthem returned with its sophomore LP, The ‘59 Sound. The ‘59 Sound was issued through SideOneDummy Records, once home to Chris Farren, Kill Your Idols, Fake Problems, and Broadway Calls. The album catapulted The Gaslight Anthem to mainstream and commercial. The ‘59 Sound album saw sales increase after a few Bruce Springsteen guest appearances on stage with the band.
This saw The ‘59 Sound’s sales double, leading to a Gold certification in the UK. The ‘59 Sound was a success on the charts, peaking at number seventy on the Billboard 200. On the UK Albums chart, The ‘59 Sound rose to number fifty-five. “Great Expectations,” “Old White Lincoln,” and “The ’59 Sound” are some of the best songs by The Gaslight Anthem from the LP.
The Gaslight Anthem’s Album Releases over the Years
After the success of the band’s sophomore LP, The ‘59 Sound, The Gaslight Anthem returned to the studio to work on its third release. Within no time, the band issued its third LP, American Slang, in 2010. The album was a success having it top the Irish Independent Albums chart. American Slang also managed to rise to the sixteenth spot on the Billboard 200 chart.
The album also performed great on the UK Albums chart, peaking at number eighteen. “Bring It On” and “American Slang” are some of the biggest hits by The Gaslight Anthem from the album. While American Slang outperformed the band’s sophomore LP, it failed to replicate The ‘59 Sound’s sales. American Slang only managed a Silver certification in the United Kingdom. The album was the band’s last LP release issued through SideOneDummy Records.
In 2012, The Gaslight Anthem returned with its fourth studio album entitled Handwritten. The Handwritten album was issued through Mercury Records, once home to The Bee Gees, Billy Ray Cyrus, The Cardigans, Bon Jovi, Johnny Cash, and Metallica. The album was a success, peaking at number three on the Billboard 200. It also managed to rise to number two on the UK Albums chart.
Handwritten is without a doubt the most successful album by the band on the charts. Its success is credited to the band’s great musicianship and the amazing production work by Brendan O’Brien who has also produced albums by Bruce Springsteen, Soundgarden, AC/DC, Rage Against the Machine, and Bob Dylan. “Here Comes My Man,” “Handwritten,” and “45” are some of the musical gems by The Gaslight Anthem from Handwritten. The album was Silver-certified in the United Kingdom.
Later in 2014, The Gaslight Anthem issued its fifth studio album, Get Hurt. Get Hurt was issued through Island Records, with production work handled by Mike Crossey. Mike Crossey has produced reputable releases by other artists, including Twenty One Pilots, LANY, Wolf Alice, and Jeremy Zucker.
Get Hurt was a success on the charts, peaking at number four on both the UK Albums chart and Billboard 200. “Stay Vicious,” “Get Hurt,” and “Rollin’ and Tumblin’” are some of the most popular songs by The Gaslight Anthem from Get Hurt. Despite its success in the mainstream, the album failed to make great sales compared to the band’s previous three releases. The band would eventually go on hiatus in 2015, only to revive its musical pursuits in 2022.
The Gaslight Anthem’s Other Musical Pursuits
After The Gaslight Anthem went on hiatus, the band’s vocalist Brian Fallon started his solo career in 2016. As a solo artist, Brian Fallon has released four studio albums and one EP. Among the four LPs, three have made it to the Billboard 200. Brian Fallon also teamed up with The Gaslight Anthem’s touring guitarist Ian Perkins in 2011 to form the rock duo The Horrible Crowes.
The Horrible Crowes has only released one studio album, Elsie, in 2011. Elsie was a success, rising to number forty-eight on the Billboard 200. Other than its songs, The Gaslight Anthem has covered several songs by other artists including Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Fake Problems, and The Rolling Stones. Here we present the ten best songs by The Gaslight Anthem.
#10- Drive
Opening our top 10 The Gaslight Anthem songs list is the radiant rock ballad “Drive.” The song is the most popular song from the band’s debut album, Sink or Swim. “Drive” blends The Gaslight Anthem’s punk rock and folk punk elements to bring some unique rock sound. Drummer Benny Horowitz delivers a standout performance in this fast yet effortlessly rolling rock ballad.
#9- Rollin’ and Tumblin’
“Rollin’ and Tumblin’” is one of the most remarkable hits from the band’s 2014 LP, Get Hurt. From glimmering riffs to Bruce Springsteen-like grunts by Brian Fallon, there is more to enjoy from this heartland/alternative rock ballad. The song has its beat feature some emo sonic influences that help it align with its bittersweet lyrics. “Rollin’ and Tumblin’” was issued as the lead single to the LP, Get Hurt, helping it rise to the fourth spot on the Billboard 200 chart.
#8- American Slang
Coming in at the eighth spot on our ten best songs by The Gaslight Anthem is the pulsating hit “American Slang.” The song serves as the album title track to the band’s 2010 third studio album. Vocalist Brian Fallon revealed that “American Slang” alludes to his American life and things that have occurred to him in the nation.
#7- Get Hurt
“Get Hurt” is the album title track of the band’s 2014 fifth studio album. The song was penned by The Gaslight Anthem’s vocalist Brian Fallon. Like most of the songs in the LP, “Get Hurt” was inspired by Brian’s ten-year relationship fallout. While “Get Hurt” still brings on the band’s heartland rock sound, the song blends in some alternative rock and emo sonic influences to deliver a unique sound not heard in all other recordings. The gamble to diversify its sonic influences in the band’s fifth LP paid off, thanks to spirited hits like “Get Hurt.”
#6- Bring It On
Number six on our top 10 songs by The Gaslight Anthem is a striking hit, “Bring It On.” The song is among the musical gems from the band’s LP, American Slang. Vocalist Brian Fallon revealed that “Bring It On” alludes to a real-life situation about a gentleman who has been left behind in a breakup, or rather a divorce. The song’s brilliant accompanying music video stars former member of The Loved Ones and Paint It, Black Dave Hause.
#5- The ‘59 Sound
The ’59 Sound is home to our number five hit going by the same title. The song eulogizes Zach Finch, a rock artist who met his death after the car he was in crashed. Brian Fallon revealed that “The ’59 Sound” references a 1959 Bassman amp he made for himself. The song’s title also references the vintage rock ballads by his influence Bruce Springsteen. Brian went on to reveal that the chains in the song’s lyrics reference “A Christmas Carol” by Charles Dickens. In this song, Brian wonders what it is like to face death.
#4- Handwritten
“Handwritten” is the album title track to The Gaslight Anthem’s highest-charting 2012 LP. The song has its title reflects how vocalist Brian Fallon conceived and crafted the band’s fourth LP. “Handwritten” finds vocalist Brian Fallon giving a rip-roaring vocal delivery over smashing guitar riffs. The song showcases the great musicianship of the band members, one of the pillars that helped Handwritten rise to number three on the Billboard 200 chart.
#3- Great Expectations
Our number three spot on the ten best songs by The Gaslight Anthem is the grooving hit “Great Expectations.” The song is featured on the band’s LP, The ’59 Sound. “Great Expectations” alludes to the singer’s great expectations for the band. Brian Fallon’s wish for The Gaslight Anthem was at the time to reach levels most of the other New Jersey punk bands hadn’t. The song’s title reference a novel by Charles Dickens going by the same title. Some lyrics from “Great Expectations” reference “Night Moves” by Bob Seger.
#2- Here Comes My Man
“Here Comes My Man” is one of the brightest hits by The Gaslight Anthem from the LP, Handwritten. According to the band’s vocalist Brian Fallon, “Here Comes My Man” is influenced by The Velvet Underground’s “I’m Waiting for The Man” and Beyoncé’s “Single Ladies.” “Here Comes My Man” has its music video featuring Elisha Cuthbert as Scarlett. Elisha seems to be stuck in a romantic relationship that doesn’t seem to promise much for her in the future.
#1- 45
Number one of our top 10 songs by The Gaslight Anthem is the stunning hit “45.” The song is featured on the band’s LP, Handwritten. “45” finds Brian reminiscing on his experiences in rock and roll. The singer revealed that the song alludes to not settling for anything that bogs you down. “45” was a success on the charts, peaking at number seventy-five on the UK Singles Chart. The song also topped the UK Rock & Metal chart, rising to the fifteenth spot on the Billboard Hot Rock & Alternative Songs chart.
Feature Photo: Drew de F Fawkes, CC BY 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
Top 10 Songs From The Gaslight Anthem article published on Classic RockHistory.com© 2022
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