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The Wallflowers — One Headlight
Album: Bringing Down The Horse
Avg rating:
7.4

Your rating:
Total ratings: 2385









Released: 1992
Length: 5:01
Plays (last 30 days): 0
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So long ago, I don't remember when
That's when they say I lost my only friend
Well, they said she died easy of a broken heart disease
As I listened through the cemetery trees

I seen the sun comin' up at the funeral at dawn
With the long broken arm of human law
Now, it always seemed such a waste
She always had a pretty face
I wondered why she hung around this place

Hey
Come on, try a little
Nothing is forever
There's got to be something better than
In the middle
But me and Cinderella
We put it all together
We can drive it home
With one headlight

She said it's cold
It feels like Independence Day
And I can't break away from this parade
But there's got to be an opening
Somewhere here in front of me
Through this maze of ugliness and greed
And I seen the sign up ahead
At the county line bridge
Sayin' all is good and nothingness is dead
We'll run until she's out of breath
She ran until there's nothin' left
She hit the end, it's just her window ledge

Hey
Come on, try a little
Nothing is forever
There's got to be something better than
In the middle
But me and Cinderella
We put it all together
We can drive it home
With one headlight

Well, this place is old
It feels just like a beat up truck
I turn the engine, but the engine doesn't turn
Well, it smells of cheap wine and cigarettes
This place is always such a mess
Sometimes I think I'd like to watch it burn
I'm so alone, and I feel just like somebody else
Man, I ain't changed, but I know I ain't the same
But somewhere here in between the city walls of dyin' dreams
I think your death, it must be killin' me

Hey, hey, hey
Come on, try a little
Nothing is forever
There's got to be something better than
In the middle
But me and Cinderella
We put it all together
We can drive it home
With one headlight
Comments (191)add comment
I can never forget buying this and pulling it down off the Net in the mid- to late-'90s when I was living in Nanao, Noto Hanto, Ishikawa-ken, in Nishi-Nihon, when my ex-wife was starting to show disturbing flashes of her true darkness. What sweet, soothing salve for the soul Music was for me then -- and still is, more than ever, in the unfathomably fragmented and uncomfortably divided world of today! Thanks Now and Forever, Radio Paradise, for the snatches of Heaven that you so generously provide!
Posted 2 years ago by coloradojohn    [ Reply ]
Very pleasant imagery.  Who is his father again?
Posted 2 years ago by cogbehaviour1    [ Reply ]
This was released in 96 I believe. The year I arrived to the US of A!
Posted 2 years ago by igor    [ Reply ]
Is the band name a nod to Jakob's father's Visions of Johanna?
Posted 2 years ago by mattenuttall    [ Reply ]
 trissi wrote:
This is the only tolerable song by this cheez-ball band. It's tainted with the horror of excessive commercial-radio-air-time-play. What a waste of bandwidth to hear it here. 
 
Definitely agree with the excessive commercial radio airtime... this was pretty much played into the ground in the winter of 1996-97.  But the fact that it's not heard much anymore kind of moves it into the category of "guilty pleasure that takes me back to the old days", so I'm ok hearing it on RP.  Not everything on here has to be Ludovico Einaudi.
Posted 2 years ago by timmus    [ Reply ]
Good Tune!
Posted 2 years ago by eileenomurphy    [ Reply ]
 opaceo wrote:


Could be a piccolo snare which is inherently higher in pitch than a typical orchestra/band snare drum.



Possibly!
Posted 2 years ago by eileenomurphy    [ Reply ]
The reason I bought a Naim Mu so QB. Sounded flat on my Bose. QB made it come to life. Great song. 
Posted 2 years ago by f1ram    [ Reply ]
 Grammarcop wrote:

The tuning on that snare drum is tighter than my ex-wife's smile. 



Could be a piccolo snare which is inherently higher in pitch than a typical orchestra/band snare drum.
Posted 2 years ago by opaceo    [ Reply ]
Good!
Posted 2 years ago by jesseoxwell    [ Reply ]
Love the beat
Posted 2 years ago by noe.architecte169    [ Reply ]
I don’t usually care about lyrics. Or should I say I use the lyrics or interpret them my own way. So reading them separately is a little jarring as they are incomprehensible. So I’ll go back to toe tapping and give this a solid 8. And sing along to the chorus.
Posted 3 years ago by milleymeister    [ Reply ]
This has always moved me, and I appreciate it even more now, almost 30 years later.
Posted 3 years ago by coloradojohn    [ Reply ]
3 decades and I still haven't figured out what this is about.
Posted 3 years ago by ScottFromWyoming    [ Reply ]
Put this on back to back with some Dishwalla and I'd be thinking it's 1996/1997 all over again.
Posted 3 years ago by timmus    [ Reply ]
Great Album this...and some of the others Red Letter Days..not bad either...good vocals
Posted 3 years ago by Maurice1950    [ Reply ]
Loved this song when it came out. Love it now. (Whole album, too, actually.)
Posted 3 years ago by TimeWaster    [ Reply ]
 trissi wrote:
This is the only tolerable song by this cheez-ball band. It's tainted with the horror of excessive commercial-radio-air-time-play. What a waste of bandwidth to hear it here.
 
I must say that their cover of Heroes from the Godzilla soundtrack is better than Bowie's own version, imho.

ymmv 
Posted 3 years ago by kurtster    [ Reply ]
 GatoDeNieve wrote:


No idea who his father is 
 
Robert Zimmerman
Posted 3 years ago by flyboy    [ Reply ]
Riding down the freeway with the speakers cranked up to the max,nice😎
Posted 4 years ago by Easyrider    [ Reply ]
Awesome !!!!
Posted 4 years ago by rlucent1    [ Reply ]
 lizardking wrote:

If I knew you better, Grammarcop, I'd say something like "you should see her wide mouth smile now" - oh wait...I did say, that didn't I? 


 
Thanks, Liz. Don't believe every simile you read on the Internet. 
Posted 4 years ago by Grammarcop    [ Reply ]
Overrated band, nothing special.
Posted 4 years ago by nicknt    [ Reply ]
Now that you mention it....
Posted 4 years ago by lugocvls    [ Reply ]
Am I the only one hearing Lessons In Love by Level 42?
Posted 4 years ago by Alastair    [ Reply ]
 karloswald wrote:
This is certainly not the only example of a terribly repetitious song but it's certainly one of the most egregious examples. 
 

Yeah, not much going on here.  
And perfect application for "egregious"!
Posted 4 years ago by ace-marc    [ Reply ]
 Rockit999 wrote:
1 head lice
 

Posted 4 years ago by Grayson    [ Reply ]
Saw these guys twice in my college “see anything” phase. Surprisingly good shows.
Posted 4 years ago by jukes1    [ Reply ]
 karloswald wrote:
This is certainly not the only example of a terribly repetitious song but it's certainly one of the most egregious examples. 
 
Amazingly wrong on both counts there sport! But kudos to you for using the word "egregious". No doubt you spent an hour looking in your thesaurus for that.
Posted 4 years ago by BCarn    [ Reply ]
This is certainly not the only example of a terribly repetitious song but it's certainly one of the most egregious examples. 
Posted 4 years ago by karloswald    [ Reply ]
 miguzina wrote:
 
 
Sending someone around to check mig's pulse -- if there is one.
Posted 4 years ago by gmichaelt    [ Reply ]
Masterpiece.
Posted 4 years ago by MrStatenIsle    [ Reply ]
 DaidyBoy wrote:
"One Headlight" is also listed at #58 in Rolling Stone's list of the 100 Greatest Pop Songs.

According to Wiki etc.  It's ok, but I wouldn't go that far ...
 
That is messed up. They are out to lunch.
Posted 5 years ago by ace-marc    [ Reply ]
"One Headlight" is also listed at #58 in Rolling Stone's list of the 100 Greatest Pop Songs.

According to Wiki etc.  It's ok, but I wouldn't go that far ...
Posted 5 years ago by DaidyBoy    [ Reply ]
 Grammarcop wrote:
The tuning on that snare drum is tighter than my ex-wife's smile. 
 
If I knew you better, Grammarcop, I'd say something like "you should see her wide mouth smile now" - oh wait...I did say, that didn't I? 

I've gone 7+1 on this somewhere along the line....Long Live RP!!
Posted 5 years ago by lizardking    [ Reply ]
Could also be a metaphor that he would rather be on a functioning motorcycle with “one headlight!”
Posted 5 years ago by rbrdy8    [ Reply ]
Good memories attached to this one...kicking back with a cool one on Vancouver Island.
Posted 5 years ago by ozburns55    [ Reply ]
 tcanbot wrote:
These comments seem to be randomly ordered
You're probably looking at them in "ratings order" (by how many thumbs-up it gets. I don't know what he uses as the secondary ordering term). I always push the Newest button and it fixes them up.

Posted 5 years ago by Dave_Mack    [ Reply ]
One of the most boring songs I have ever heard. Flat like a pan...
Posted 5 years ago by miguzina    [ Reply ]
 scrubbrush wrote:


lead singer is Jakob Dylan. Son of some guy named Bob.
 

Thanks. Hey I was wondering if people get notified after being responded to here.
Posted 5 years ago by tcanbot    [ Reply ]
These comments seem to be randomly ordered
Posted 5 years ago by tcanbot    [ Reply ]
 (anonymous) wrote:
Man, this song gets some negative comments. It's a good one, sure it was overplayed for a little while, but it certainly isn't now. Good song, glad to have it on the playlist!
 
Wrong.
Posted 5 years ago by Cannon    [ Reply ]
That guitar really grabbed me in a good way today. Just a great pop/rock song, 9.
I like the meaning too: it's about the death of ideas/ideals, but there's still a lot of good in the world that can persevere. "Come on, try a little" and drive it home.
Posted 5 years ago by danfl75    [ Reply ]
The opening hook always makes my brain go YES!
Posted 5 years ago by amb599    [ Reply ]
 GatoDeNieve wrote:


No idea who his father is 
 

lead singer is Jakob Dylan. Son of some guy named Bob.
Posted 5 years ago by scrubbrush    [ Reply ]
I like this song a lot more now than i did when it was being played on the radio in between the hits by Better Than Ezra and Ben Folds Five.
Posted 5 years ago by scrubbrush    [ Reply ]
 Papernapkin wrote:

Ha, you say this as you mention his father. Such a Zen comment.
 

No idea who his father is 
Posted 5 years ago by GatoDeNieve    [ Reply ]
Yesss.....Still a good band{#Bananasplit}
Posted 6 years ago by peter.gerzner    [ Reply ]
Still a good band
Posted 6 years ago by Butchandfran1957463    [ Reply ]
 (anonymous) wrote:
Man, this song gets some negative comments. It's a good one, sure it was overplayed for a little while, but it certainly isn't now. Good song, glad to have it on the playlist!
 
What I like about this song is that you can understand every word. For someone as musically challenged as me (read: I've always been told 'you blend well'), that's a pretty good thing. I guess I didn't know he's Bob's son? I can't say the same for his dad's lyrics in a bunch of his songs.
Posted 6 years ago by mrtuba9    [ Reply ]
 Rockit999 wrote:
1 head lice

 
Well then it's NOT an infestation, eh? 

I don't know if I like this song b/c of Jakob's dad, or if I feel it should be better b/c of Papa Dylan; undeniable though, and it shouldn't be the case, that the Dylan connection imparts something on my hearing of it.  Huh.  Oh well I guess I can stick with the 7 rating on this one.  Long Live RP!!

Posted 6 years ago by lizardking    [ Reply ]
 drewd wrote:
So is this about driving a motorcycle? Is it about driving around with a busted headlight? That's not very safe. You can get a ticket for that! Just sayin......

 
Well, he turns the engine. (Of a beat-up-truck) But the engine doesn't turn. So, I guess he's not really driving anywhere, irrespective of the number of functioning head lights. He only asserts that we CAN drive it home with one headlight. This does not imply that we SHOULD do so. As you so correctly point out: That would be illegal.

I really can't explain it, but I still like this song - alot.
Posted 7 years ago by Lindo525    [ Reply ]
 rpdevotee wrote:

Sounds more like "We want head lice" to me {#Stupid}

Funny thing is, they could sing it that way live and no one would ever know!

 
Is that because nobody would be at the concert or because he mumbles like his old man?
Posted 7 years ago by flyboy    [ Reply ]
 Stratocaster wrote:
Another great misheard song lyric.

"I Want Head Lice" 

 
Sounds more like "We want head lice" to me {#Stupid}

Funny thing is, they could sing it that way live and no one would ever know!
Posted 7 years ago by rpdevotee    [ Reply ]
The tuning on that snare drum is tighter than my ex-wife's smile. 
Posted 7 years ago by Grammarcop    [ Reply ]
 Kassbomb wrote:
Today's songs are veering too commercial

 
This song is over twenty years old.
Posted 7 years ago by Proclivities    [ Reply ]
1 head lice
Posted 7 years ago by Rockit999    [ Reply ]
why re-live mediocrity?  Let this one die
Posted 7 years ago by greiffenstein    [ Reply ]
Today's songs are veering too commercial
Posted 8 years ago by Kassbomb    [ Reply ]
This album came out in '96, not '92.
Posted 8 years ago by nutrod42    [ Reply ]
Check out this duet with The Boss
Posted 8 years ago by NorthernLad    [ Reply ]
 trissi wrote:
This is the only tolerable song by this cheez-ball band. It's tainted with the horror of excessive commercial-radio-air-time-play. What a waste of bandwidth to hear it here.

 

Posted 8 years ago by Danimal174    [ Reply ]
 hugogdt wrote:
Sometimes RP reminds us, with all that info available for each song, that time goes by fast: already 22 years since this Wallflowers album ...

 
Gasp.
Posted 8 years ago by topcat99    [ Reply ]
Great set! Brilliant segue! Bryan Ferry — Reason or Rhyme to this!! {#Roflol}
Posted 8 years ago by Segue    [ Reply ]
So is this about driving a motorcycle? Is it about driving around with a busted headlight? That's not very safe. You can get a ticket for that! Just sayin......
Posted 8 years ago by drewd    [ Reply ]
This has been out since 1992 and it was not until I saw the song title here that I figured out what the heck he was saying.. One headlight.
Posted 8 years ago by LawDude    [ Reply ]
 meauclaire wrote:
At least it's not 3 Marlenas but it still sucks.

 
Come on, this is at least three rating points better.
Posted 8 years ago by Webfoot    [ Reply ]
At least it's not 3 Marlenas but it still sucks.
Posted 9 years ago by meauclaire    [ Reply ]
Forgettable. Apt band name
Posted 9 years ago by OceanBlue    [ Reply ]
 Stratocaster wrote:
Another great misheard song lyric.

"I Want Head Lice" 

 
There seemed to be some mention of an incinerator as well.
Posted 9 years ago by Proclivities    [ Reply ]
How can one even turn an engine which doesn't turn ?

 Stratocaster wrote:
Another great misheard song lyric.

"I Want Head Lice" 

 
Actually, this is what Dylan wanted, but his bandmates had to intervene. The result is their compromise.
Posted 9 years ago by CaffeineSam    [ Reply ]
 Stratocaster wrote:
Another great misheard song lyric.

"I Want Head Lice" 

 
Now, this is what I will hear forevermore.  Thanks a lot Stratocaster!
Posted 10 years ago by Webfoot    [ Reply ]
A tune that has been co-opted for a recent Geico motorcycle insurance commercial. 
Appropriate, I suppose, given the song title. 
 
Posted 10 years ago by kingart    [ Reply ]
 Stratocaster wrote:
Another great misheard song lyric.

"I Want Head Lice" 

 
Time to rate comments, RP!

Now imagine this song being played live for a bunch of people having bagels in a shop in L.A. Who would have thought dylan would have such beautiful babies?
Posted 10 years ago by KaraokeVox    [ Reply ]
Sometimes RP reminds us, with all that info available for each song, that time goes by fast: already 22 years since this Wallflowers album ...
Posted 10 years ago by hugogdt    [ Reply ]
well worn but still a good drivin' tune..
Posted 10 years ago by moodfood    [ Reply ]
Pretty catchy tune, terrible lyrics which I find amusingly ironic.{#Lol}
Posted 10 years ago by sirdroseph    [ Reply ]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZK1B3hwrETQ
Posted 10 years ago by LPCity    [ Reply ]
 Stratocaster wrote:
Another great misheard song lyric.

"I Want Head Lice" 

 
Haha - I used to mishear lyrics like this. Now I either hear them or I don't - maybe it's a sign of decline.
Posted 10 years ago by RandomousJam    [ Reply ]
Another great misheard song lyric.

"I Want Head Lice" 
Posted 11 years ago by Stratocaster    [ Reply ]

Well say goodbye it's Independence Day

All boys must run away come Independence Day

So say goodbye it's Independence Day

All men must make their way come Independence Day

(From "The River", Bruce Springsteen, 1978)

I love this Jakob's "Independence Day", even knowing very well it's "inspiration". It's a pity that Bill never plays the "original"... 


Posted 11 years ago by Orodrigues    [ Reply ]
 crockydile wrote:
Screw all you critics. This is just great songwriting and solid music.
 
diddo....{#Dance}well, maybe not the songwriting, but catchy tune nevertheless
Posted 11 years ago by stephw    [ Reply ]
La la la ... sounds like his dad ... more handsome 'though.
Posted 11 years ago by Algis    [ Reply ]
 TJS wrote:
I'll take this over his dad any day of the week.
 
Oh so true.
Posted 11 years ago by ziakut    [ Reply ]
I'll take this over his dad any day of the week.
Posted 12 years ago by TJS    [ Reply ]
 trissi wrote:
This is the only tolerable song by this cheez-ball band. It's tainted with the horror of excessive commercial-radio-air-time-play. What a waste of bandwidth to hear it here.
 
Troll
Posted 12 years ago by WayUpNorth    [ Reply ]
Hi Bill. Please play this song for us today. Here it is cold. But it feels just like Independence Day.
Posted 12 years ago by sarah_mae    [ Reply ]
Oooohhhhhh,Sometime since I lasted heard this,terrific.
Posted 12 years ago by Easyrider    [ Reply ]
Always loved this song.  Thanks for playing!
Posted 12 years ago by mikec09    [ Reply ]
An awesome song. I used to listen to the whole album while hitch-hiking from and to my university. 

 
Posted 12 years ago by Bachka    [ Reply ]
 lathyris wrote:

Wikipedia says 1996. That seems more right. . .
 
I remember this being 1996.  Freshman year of college.  My roomate thought this was the greatest song ever written.  Me, not so much.
Posted 12 years ago by flyboy    [ Reply ]
This is the only tolerable song by this cheez-ball band. It's tainted with the horror of excessive commercial-radio-air-time-play. What a waste of bandwidth to hear it here.
Posted 12 years ago by trissi    [ Reply ]
I used to use the snare sound on this one as a reference for compression and gating...


btw. this IS the good Wallflowers song... {#Lol}
Posted 12 years ago by MiracleDrug    [ Reply ]
 abbey_normal wrote:
Aww man. 1992. 1992! That can't be right.  This song is nearly 20 years old?
 
Wikipedia says 1996. That seems more right. . .
Posted 13 years ago by lathyris    [ Reply ]
Aww man. 1992. 1992! That can't be right.  This song is nearly 20 years old?

Posted 13 years ago by abbey_normal    [ Reply ]
I think I might like this song in another 50 years, long after the stench of popular radio has left it.  So—-let's do our best NOT to play this sone for 50 years.


Posted 13 years ago by Rafter101    [ Reply ]
 Rooney wrote:
Damn annoying song.  Can't elaborate.  Something about it so freaking contrived.  Or something.
 
I think the chunky-chunky-chunky rhythm track is the main problem here.

Posted 13 years ago by lewie221    [ Reply ]
Damn annoying song.  Can't elaborate.  Something about it so freaking contrived.  Or something.
Posted 13 years ago by Rooney    [ Reply ]
 ZedLeppelin wrote:
Boo this is boring.
 
{#Snooty}

Posted 14 years ago by crockydile    [ Reply ]
 pinklife wrote:
This is one of those songs that got so much airplay when it came out that you literally have to not hear it for years before you can appreciate what a great song it really is.
 

I'll take your word on it.  Hasn't been long enough for me to tell.
Posted 14 years ago by Hannio    [ Reply ]
This is one of those songs that got so much airplay when it came out that you literally have to not hear it for years before you can appreciate what a great song it really is.
Posted 14 years ago by pinklife    [ Reply ]
Boo this is boring.
Posted 15 years ago by ZedLeppelin    [ Reply ]
 bachbeet wrote:
Excellent song from an excellent album.  I think Jacob's work can stand on its own w/o mention of his father.
 
Ha, you say this as you mention his father. Such a Zen comment.
Posted 15 years ago by Papernapkin    [ Reply ]
Ah, this song will ALWAYS remind me of high school — in a good way. {#Smile}
Posted 15 years ago by HilaryM    [ Reply ]
Love this song~
Posted 15 years ago by muzik    [ Reply ]
Excellent song from an excellent album.  I think Jacob's work can stand on its own w/o mention of his father.
Posted 15 years ago by bachbeet    [ Reply ]
I don't care how much commercial airplay this track (or the CD, for that matter) got, this is a good song, worthy of airplay on RP.
Posted 15 years ago by Middleton    [ Reply ]
 annersjen wrote:

Beat me over the head with a spoon but I can't stand to listen to Dylan the elder. He wrote some good songs, though.

 
why? did you want him to stay folk?? is it his voice that turns u off?? I'm so lost on this computer? it is so hard to have a good talk over a computer.... I'm sure you have a good reason..... take care

Posted 15 years ago by mr_toad    [ Reply ]
{#Puke}... I am ashamed.......{#Redface}
Posted 15 years ago by shawshank    [ Reply ]
 horstman wrote:

There is no doubt that it WAS overplayed.

Not so now. Still a great song. Maybe not as good or as innovative as his dad but then is Micheal Douglas as good as Kirk Douglas? Probably not, but they are both competent actors. Same for these two. If anything, Jacob inherited his mother's voice. Which can only be a step up.

 
Beat me over the head with a spoon but I can't stand to listen to Dylan the elder. He wrote some good songs, though.

Posted 15 years ago by annersjen    [ Reply ]
I HAVE been hearing this alot lately - not just here. Is this on a TV show or soundtrack or something?
Posted 15 years ago by firefly6    [ Reply ]
 mr_toad wrote:
 

and his fathers heart
Wallflowers - One Headlight
Jeff Beck - Freeway Jam
The Beatles - Get Back
John Hiatt - Pirate Radio

Posted 15 years ago by mr_toad    [ Reply ]
 horstman wrote:

There is no doubt that it WAS overplayed.

Not so now. Still a great song. Maybe not as good or as innovative as his dad but then is Micheal Douglas as good as Kirk Douglas? Probably not, but they are both competent actors. Same for these two. If anything, Jacob inherited his mother's voice. Which can only be a step up.

 


Posted 15 years ago by mr_toad    [ Reply ]
 JesseJ wrote:
I think we can do better. So overplayed.
 
There is no doubt that it WAS overplayed.

Not so now. Still a great song. Maybe not as good or as innovative as his dad but then is Micheal Douglas as good as Kirk Douglas? Probably not, but they are both competent actors. Same for these two. If anything, Jacob inherited his mother's voice. Which can only be a step up.

Posted 15 years ago by horstman    [ Reply ]
 timrink wrote:
I'm still really sick of this song. For some reason, I expect RP to stay away from those songs which have beaten to death by radio.
 
"Laughing Out Loud," or "Angel On My Bike" would have been better representatives of this album. . .


Posted 15 years ago by vandal    [ Reply ]
Most excellent set!

Wallflowers - One Headlight
Jeff Beck - Freeway Jam
The Beatles - Get Back
John Hiatt - Pirate Radio
Posted 15 years ago by h_in_bristol    [ Reply ]
Still, it's a good song......
Posted 16 years ago by felix_the_man    [ Reply ]
I'm still really sick of this song. For some reason, I expect RP to stay away from those songs which have beaten to death by radio.
Posted 16 years ago by timrink    [ Reply ]
window wrote:
I don't know why, but this song seems much better now than when it came out. Probably because I'm not hearing it 15 times a day.
Agreed. I actually always liked this song, but got completely sick of hearing it!
Posted 16 years ago by schrodingersdog    [ Reply ]
jmk999 wrote:
Does anybody know if the Wallflowers are still together? Seems like they just sort of slipped off the face of the earth and that's a shame.
I actually saw them at summerfest in Milwaukee a few years ago. Looks like they have some tour dates this summer.
Posted 16 years ago by jlind    [ Reply ]