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

Colin Hay

Colin HaySongwriter Interviews

Established as a redoubtable singer-songwriter, the Men At Work frontman explains how religion, sobriety and Jack Nicholson play into his songwriting.

Sub Pop Founder Bruce Pavitt On How To Create A Music Scene

Sub Pop Founder Bruce Pavitt On How To Create A Music SceneSong Writing

With $50 and a glue stick, Bruce Pavitt created Sub Pop, a fanzine-turned-label that gave the world Nirvana and grunge. He explains how motivated individuals can shift culture.

Narada Michael Walden - "Freeway of Love"

Narada Michael Walden - "Freeway of Love"They're Playing My Song

As a songwriter and producer, Narada had hits with Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey and Starship. But what song does he feel had the greatest impact on his career?

Who's Johnny, And Why Does He Show Up In So Many Songs

Who's Johnny, And Why Does He Show Up In So Many SongsSong Writing

For songwriters, Johnny represents the American man. He has been angry, cool, magic, a rebel and, of course, marching home.

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.

David Bowie Leads the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Long-Haired Men

David Bowie Leads the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Long-Haired MenSong Writing

Bowie's "activist" days of 1964 led to Ziggy Stardust.