Dashboard

Album: We Were Dead Before The Ship Even Sank (2007)
Charted: 61
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • In this song, Isaac Brock sees the positive side of things even though the world around him is falling apart - the dashboard is melting, but they still have the radio. The "radio" could be a symbol of the band's music, which they will have no matter what.
  • This song was written the first day Modest Mouse began collaborating with guitarist Johnny Marr, who was not yet an official member of the band. Marr is known for his work with The Smiths. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Toby - Beverly, MA
  • Johnny Marr recalled to Uncut magazine February 2008 about his contribution to this: "On the first night we (Marr and Isaac Brock) just set up two amps opposite each other and just got louder and louder and improvised. I just started playing 'Dashboard,' which I'd been playing a few weeks before and forgotten about. And he instantly started improvising the lyrics, which knocked me out. To see someone produce those lyrics just off the top of his head is amazing: I've never seen it done in such a way."
  • This was the first time Johnny Marr had been involved with a US #1 album after a quarter of a century in the music business.
  • The film Trains, Planes And Automobiles was a likely influence on this song. In the movie, the main characters end up driving in a car that has been set on fire. The radio in the car is one of the few things that still works after the dashboard is melted. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    stefan - erie, PA
  • American blues musician Seasick Steve plays the part of the bartender in the song's music video.
  • Johnny Marr spoke to Uncut in 2022 about the inspiration for this song's guitar lines. "I was put on the spot by a stranger in a very intense situation," he recalled to the magazine. "Isaac Brock stared down at me wearing 1940s flying goggles and a flying cap, with a huge, half-drunk jug of wine, and said, 'Got any riffs?' It was a combination of inspiration, intimidation and intense jetlag."

Comments: 3

  • Indigo from Adelaide, AustraliaMy favourite Modest Mouse song. It makes me smile: "the dashboard melted but we still had the radio", "Well, the windshield was broken but I love the fresh air y'know". so happy :)
  • Jon from Enumclaw , WaI just heard this song and I love it. One of my faves from Modest Mouse.
  • Kane from Wytheville, Vasuch an underrated song i for one love it
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Tom Bailey of Thompson Twins

Tom Bailey of Thompson TwinsSongwriter Interviews

Tom stopped performing Thompson Twins songs in 1987, in part because of their personal nature: "Hold Me Now" came after an argument with his bandmate/girlfriend Alannah Currie.

Song Titles That Inspired Movies

Song Titles That Inspired MoviesSong Writing

Famous songs that lent their titles - and in some cases storylines - to movies.

Chris Fehn of Slipknot

Chris Fehn of SlipknotSongwriter Interviews

A drummer for one of the most successful metal bands of the last decade, Chris talks about what it's like writing and performing with Slipknot. Metal-neck is a factor.

P.F. Sloan

P.F. SloanSongwriter Interviews

P.F. was a teenager writing hits and playing on tracks for Jan & Dean when he wrote a #1 hit that got him blackballed.

Neal Smith - "I'm Eighteen"

Neal Smith - "I'm Eighteen"They're Playing My Song

With the band in danger of being dropped from their label, Alice Cooper drummer Neal Smith co-wrote the song that started their trek from horror show curiosity to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

David Sancious

David SanciousSongwriter Interviews

Keyboard great David Sancious talks about his work with Sting, Seal, Springsteen, Clapton and Aretha, and explains what quantum physics has to do with making music.