The '59 Sound (song)

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"The '59 Sound"
2008 single
Single by the Gaslight Anthem
from the album The '59 Sound
ReleasedJuly 22, 2008
June 15, 2009 (UK re-release)
Recorded2008
Length3:11
LabelSideOneDummy Records
Songwriter(s)Brian Fallon, Alex Rosamilia, Alex Levine, Benny Horowitz
Producer(s)Ted Hutt
The Gaslight Anthem singles chronology
"The '59 Sound"
(2008) 		"Old White Lincoln"
(2008)
Audio sample
"The '59 Sound"

"The '59 Sound" is the debut single by American rock band the Gaslight Anthem. Written by the band and produced by Ted Hutt, it is the title track of the band's second full-length album.[1] The song reached the U.S. Alternative Airplay chart in early 2009. The song, which received mostly favorable reviews from critics, was performed live by the band with Bruce Springsteen at the Glastonbury and Hard Rock Calling festivals in June 2009.

Background[edit]

"The '59 Sound" was the first song written by singer-songwriter-guitarist Brian Fallon[2][3] for the band's 2008 album, also titled The '59 Sound.[4] The song's title references a 1959 Fender Bassman amplifier that he built for himself.[5][6][7][8] Fallon recalled, "I never wrote a song like that before. And I thought it was better than anything else I ever wrote. I showed it to the guys [in the band] and they thought it was awesome. Then the next one was "Great Expectations" and we definitely knew where we were going with [the album]."[4] Fallon said the band had tried to emulate the sound of soul music from the late 1950s, because "back then it seemed like there was a genuine feeling of excitement going on that I don't think is necessarily happening right now. It seems like when you look back on that era a lot of it is embodied in that Memphis sound, so it's just a giant celebratory thing."[9]

Lyrics[edit]

The song's themes are mixed with punk rock and classic rock.[10] Lyrically, the song is an elegy for a friend who died in a car accident, while the band was elsewhere performing a gig.[11][12][13][14] The singer, Brian Fallon, asks his deceased friend: "Did you hear the '59 Sound coming through on Grandmama's radio?", referring to late 1950s music that they listened to while growing up.[9] He continues by asking about his friend's discomfort in the hospital, shortly before his death.[15] The song ends with the sentences "Young boys, Young girls (Ain't supposed to die on a Saturday night)", emphasizing a sudden and unexpected loss of a friend.[16][17] Brian Fallon said the song is about growing older; and “carrying on",[18] and mentioned that he was "not a kid anymore and people are gonna start leaving. And that’s kind of weird."[19]

Release and reception[edit]

Released as a CD single in July 2008,[20] the single reached American modern rock radio stations in September.[21] The song's music video, released by record label SideOneDummy Records, premiered the following month.[22] In January 2009, the song entered the Billboard Alternative Airplay chart,[23] peaked at number 35 in February, and spent 10 weeks on the chart.[24] It reached a peak position of 26 on Billboard's Canada Rock Chart in April,[25] and of 115 on the UK Singles Chart in July.[26][27] That same month, "The '59 Sound" was re-released in the UK as a physical single, backed with a live cover version of Pearl Jam's "State of Love and Trust", as well as a live performance of "We Came to Dance", a song from the Gaslight Anthem's first album, Sink or Swim.[28][29]

"The '59 Sound" was generally well received by music critics, with Pitchfork Media writer Tom Breihan praising the bridge: "It's simple, it's sincere, and it kills me every time."[30] CMJ New Music writer Tyler Theofilos said the song is "all about the exhilaration that goes along with raw, driving rock."[31] Jason MacNeil of PopMatters compared it to the Killers and Tim-era Replacements.[32] The Spin magazine described The '59 Sound as "nuanced and assured".[33] The song was ranked number 62 on Rolling Stone's list of "The 100 Best Singles of 2008".[34]

Live[edit]

The Gaslight Anthem performed "The '59 Sound" live on the talk shows Late Night with Conan O'Brien[35][36][37][38] and Late Show with David Letterman.[39][40] The band was joined onstage by Bruce Springsteen during performances of the song at Glastonbury Festival 2009[41][42][43] and Hard Rock Calling 2009.[44][45] In June 2011, the band dedicated the song to the memory of Clarence Clemons during their set at the 2011 Glastonbury Festival.[46] Clemons, a founding member of the E Street Band, had died that same month due to a stroke.[47]

Track listing[edit]

All tracks are written by Brian Fallon, Alex Rosamilia, Alex Levine, and Benny Horowitz, except where noted[48]

2008 7" single
No.TitleLength
1."The '59 Sound"3:11
2."Even Cowgirls Get the Blues"3:31
Total length:6:42
2009 7" and CD single
No.TitleLength
1."The '59 Sound"3:11
2."State of Love and Trust" (live at Webster Hall, New York City; Eddie Vedder, Jeff Ament, Mike McCready; originally performed by Pearl Jam)3:27
3."We Came to Dance" (live at Webster Hall, New York City)3:36
Total length:10:14

Charts[edit]

Chart (2009) Peak
position
Canada Rock (Billboard)[49] 26
Scotland (OCC)[50] 64
UK Singles (OCC)[26] 115
UK Indie (OCC)[51] 10
US Alternative Airplay (Billboard)[52] 35

References[edit]

  1. ^ Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. April 3, 2010. p. 33. ISSN 0006-2510.
  2. ^ Bienstock, Richard (August 23, 2014). "No Longer Bound By The Boss". Billboard. Vol. 126, no. 27. pp. 51–52.
  3. ^ Holdship, Bill (November 12, 2008). "Record Review – The Gaslight Anthem – The '59 Sound". Metro Times. Archived from the original on January 7, 2009. Retrieved April 20, 2024.
  4. ^ a b MacNeil, Jason (March 20, 2009). "The Gaslight Anthem Have a Little Springsteen in Their Step". Toronto Sun (Sun Media). Archived from the original on March 22, 2009. Retrieved December 19, 2009.
  5. ^ Laing, Rob (March 26, 2024). ""I know that is a 25-year-old's spirit just burning – like a Chevy engine": The story of The Gaslight Anthem's classic song, The '59 Sound". MusicRadar. Retrieved April 22, 2024.
  6. ^ "The Genius Of … The '59 Sound by The Gaslight Anthem". Guitar.com | All Things Guitar. Retrieved April 22, 2024.
  7. ^ McLaughlin, David (August 18, 2023). "The Gaslight Anthem's sepia-tinged masterpiece turns 15". loudersound. Retrieved April 23, 2024.
  8. ^ Hoard, Christian (May 7, 2012). "The '59 Sound". Rolling Stone. Retrieved April 20, 2024.
  9. ^ a b Bayer, Jonah (September 9, 2009). "Gibson Exclusive: The Gaslight Anthem's Brian Fallon Looks Back on The '59 Sound". Gibson Guitar Corporation. Archived from the original on September 25, 2009. Retrieved December 19, 2009.
  10. ^ The Herald Journal. Herald-Journal. September 4, 2008. p. 24.
  11. ^ Laing, Rob (March 26, 2024). ""I know that is a 25-year-old's spirit just burning – like a Chevy engine": The story of The Gaslight Anthem's classic song, The '59 Sound". MusicRadar. Retrieved April 23, 2024.
  12. ^ "From The Editor's Floor: The Gaslight Anthem". Alternative Press Magazine. Retrieved April 21, 2024.
  13. ^ Gibson, Dan (December 12, 2008). "No. 59: The Gaslight Anthem, "The '59 Sound"". Idolator. Retrieved December 19, 2009.
  14. ^ Hoard, Christian (May 7, 2012). "The '59 Sound". Rolling Stone. Retrieved April 20, 2024.
  15. ^ The '59 Sound | The Gaslight Anthem Lyrics, Meaning & Videos, retrieved April 23, 2024
  16. ^ "The '59 Sound | Pitchfork". December 2, 2008. Archived from the original on December 2, 2008. Retrieved April 23, 2024.
  17. ^ The Gaslight Anthem – The '59 Sound, retrieved April 23, 2024
  18. ^ AltPress. "From The Editor's Floor: The Gaslight Anthem". Alternative Press Magazine. Retrieved April 23, 2024.
  19. ^ Rob Laing (March 26, 2024). ""I know that is a 25-year-old's spirit just burning – like a Chevy engine": The story of The Gaslight Anthem's classic song, The '59 Sound". MusicRadar. Retrieved April 23, 2024.
  20. ^ The Gaslight Anthem, The '59 Sound / Even Cowgirls Get The Blues, Side One Dummy, retrieved April 24, 2024
  21. ^ "Available for Airplay Archive". FMQB. Archived from the original on March 5, 2014. Retrieved December 19, 2009.
  22. ^ The Gaslight Anthem - The '59 Sound (Official Video). Retrieved April 22, 2024 – via www.youtube.com.
  23. ^ SPIN. SPIN Media LLC‏. July 2010. p. 33. ISSN 0886-3032.
  24. ^ "The '59 Sound" – The Gaslight Anthem". Billboard. Archived from the original on December 11, 2021. Retrieved April 20, 2024.
  25. ^ "The Gaslight Anthem". Billboard. November 18, 2021. Archived from the original on November 18, 2021. Retrieved April 22, 2024.
  26. ^ a b Zobbel (July 11, 2009). "Chart Log UK: New Entries Update". Zobbel. Retrieved December 26, 2009.
  27. ^ * For Top 100 positions:"Gaslight Anthem UK Singles Chart Archive". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 13, 2018.
  28. ^ "Release "The '59 Sound" by The Gaslight Anthem - MusicBrainz". musicbrainz.org. Retrieved April 22, 2024.
  29. ^ "The Gaslight Anthem – New Single "The '59 Sound" Out June 29th". Altsounds. June 17, 2009. Archived from the original on June 24, 2009. Retrieved December 19, 2009.
  30. ^ Breihan, Tom (November 25, 2008). "Album Reviews – The Gaslight Anthem – The '59 Sound". Pitchfork. Retrieved December 19, 2009.
  31. ^ Theofilos, Tyler (June 2008). "Reviews – The Gaslight Anthem – The '59 Sound". CMJ New Music (155). College Media, Inc. ISSN 1074-6978. Retrieved December 19, 2009.
  32. ^ MacNeil, Jason (November 24, 2008). "The Gaslight Anthem, The '59 Sound – Review". PopMatters. Archived from the original on December 1, 2008. Retrieved April 20, 2024.
  33. ^ SPIN. SPIN Media LLC‏. July 2010. p. 72. ISSN 0886-3032.
  34. ^ "Best of 2008". Rolling Stone (Wenner Media). December 25, 2008. Archived from the original on December 14, 2008. Retrieved December 19, 2009.
  35. ^ Writer, Staff. "The Gaslight Anthem to play on Conan". The Music. Retrieved April 20, 2024.
  36. ^ Ryan, Gary (September 15, 2023). "The Gaslight Anthem: "Playing with Bruce Springsteen should land me a Nando's Black Card"". NME. Retrieved April 20, 2024.
  37. ^ "Videos: The Gaslight Anthem: "The '59 Sound (Live on Conan)". Punknews.org. December 10, 2008. Retrieved December 19, 2009.
  38. ^ The Gaslight Anthem The 59 Sound - Live at Conan OBrien. Retrieved April 20, 2024 – via www.youtube.com.
  39. ^ The Gaslight Anthem - The '59 Sound (Live On Letterman). Retrieved April 22, 2024 – via www.youtube.com.
  40. ^ LUSTIG, JAY (May 20, 2015). "The '59 Sound, The Gaslight Anthem on 'Late Show with David Letterman". NJArts.net. Retrieved April 20, 2024.
  41. ^ Deardorff, Donald L. (2014). Bruce Springsteen: American poet and prophet. The Scarecrow Press, Inc. p. 145. ISBN 978-0-8108-8426-7.
  42. ^ Gaar, Gillian G. (2024). Bruce Springsteen at 75. Motorbooks. p. 163. ISBN 978-0-7603-8110-6.
  43. ^ "Bruce Springsteen Makes Surprise Appearance with Gaslight Anthem at Glastonbury". NME. June 27, 2009. Retrieved December 19, 2009.
  44. ^ Nast, Condé (June 18, 2010). "Video: Bruce Springsteen and Gaslight Anthem Singer Do "No Surrender"". Pitchfork. Retrieved April 21, 2024.
  45. ^ Murray, Noel (June 30, 2009). "A Jersey Reunion in the UK: Bruce Springsteen & The Gaslight Anthem". The A.V. Club (The Onion, Inc.). Retrieved December 19, 2009.
  46. ^ The Gaslight Anthem - The '59 Sound (Live - Glastonbury 2011 @ Pyramid Stage) 25/06/11. Retrieved April 22, 2024 – via www.youtube.com. This song's for Clarence.
  47. ^ Sisario, Ben (June 19, 2011). "Clarence Clemons, Springsteen's Soulful Sideman, Dies at 69". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved April 22, 2024.
  48. ^ the '59 Sound (CD booklet). The Gaslight Anthem. Los Angeles: SideOneDummy Records. 2008. SD1358.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  49. ^ "The Gaslight Anthem Chart History (Canada Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved December 11, 2021.
  50. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved December 11, 2021.
  51. ^ "Official Independent Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved December 11, 2021.
  52. ^ "The Gaslight Anthem Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved December 11, 2021.

External links[edit]

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