One Headlight

The Wallflowers

About One Headlight

"One Headlight" is a song by American rock band The Wallflowers. The song was written by lead singer Jakob Dylan, and produced by T-Bone Burnett. It was released in November 1996 as the second single from the band's second studio album, Bringing Down the Horse. Dylan has said that the song is about "the death of ideas."The song is notable for being the first single to reach number one on all three of Billboard's rock airplay charts: the Modern Rock Tracks chart, the Mainstream Rock Songs chart and the Adult Alternative Songs chart. "One Headlight" also peaked at number one in Canada for five weeks. In 2000, the song was listed at number 58 on Rolling Stone and MTVs list of "100 Greatest Pop Songs of All Time". 


Year:
2009
5:12
359 
#1

 Become A Better Singer In Only 30 Days, With Easy Video Lessons!

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
The long broken arm of human law
Now it always seemed such a waste, she always had a pretty face
So I wondered how 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 sun up ahead at the county line bridge
Sayin' all there's 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, 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 of 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

 Watch: New Singing Lesson Videos Can Make Anyone A Great Singer


The Wallflowers

The Wallflowers is a rock band from Los Angeles, California, fronted by Jakob Dylan. Formed in 1989 and originally known as The Apples, the ensemble has gone through numerous personnel changes but focuses on Dylan, Rami Jaffee and Greg Richling. more »

3 fans

Written by: JAKOB DYLAN

Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Writer and Composer
"One Headlight" was written and composed by Jakob Dylan, who is the lead vocalist of the band, The Wallflowers. Jakob is also the youngest son of iconic singer-songwriter Bob Dylan.
Album Release
The song is the second single from their second album titled "Bringing Down the Horse" which was released in 1996.
Chart Performance
"One Headlight" reached No. 1 on Billboard's Mainstream Rock, Modern Rock, and Adult Top 40 charts. It also peaked at No. 2 on Billboard's Hot 100 chart.
Awards
The song won two Grammy Awards in 1998 - "Best Rock Song" and "Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group".
Popularity
"One Headlight" established The Wallflowers as a popular band in America, becoming their most successful single.
Music Video
The music video directed by Ken Fox, got heavy airplay on MTV. The video starts with the funeral procession for a circus queen and ends with the band performing inside a tent.
Significance
"One Headlight" is seen to express generational disillusionment and the struggle to maintain both individual and artistic survival, despite its ambiguous lyrics.
Legacy
The song has been covered by numerous artists and has been featured in several films and television shows, asserting the song's lasting popularity and influence.
Instrumentation
The song's unique sound is characterized by the use of a Hammond organ, making it distinctive among rock songs of the period.
Certification
The song was certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) in 2015 for its high sales and streaming figures.

Discuss the One Headlight Lyrics with the community:

0 Comments

    Citation

    Use the citation below to add these lyrics to your bibliography:

    Style:MLAChicagoAPA

    "One Headlight Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 16 Apr. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/26898020/The+Wallflowers/One+Headlight>.

    Missing lyrics by The Wallflowers?

    Know any other songs by The Wallflowers? Don't keep it to yourself!

    Watch the song video

    One Headlight

    171M
    749.3K     36,904

    Browse Lyrics.com

    Quiz

    Are you a music master?

    »
    "But you know that when the truth is told; That you can get what you want; Or you can just get ______."
    A bold
    B old
    C bald
    D bored

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Chrome

    Get instant explanation for any lyrics that hits you anywhere on the web!

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Firefox

    Get instant explanation for any acronym or abbreviation that hits you anywhere on the web!

    Don't miss The Wallflowers's

    Upcoming Events

    »
    • Tue • Apr 16 • 8:00 PM
      Hackensack Meridian Health Theatre at the Count Basie Center , Red Bank, NJ
    • Wed • Apr 17 • 8:00 PM
      The Paramount, Huntington, NY
    • Fri • Apr 19 • 7:00 PM
      Greenfield Lake Amphitheater, Wilmington, NC
    • Tue • Apr 23 • 8:00 PM
      Plaza Live - Orlando, Orlando, FL
    • Wed • Apr 24 • 7:00 PM
      Ponte Vedra Concert Hall, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL
    The Wallflowers tracks

    On Radio Right Now

    Loading...

    Powered by OnRad.io


    Think you know music? Test your MusicIQ here!