60 & Punk

Album: Thank You For Today (2018)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • "60 & Punk" is about a nameless teenage hero of Ben Gibbard's who became a friend and mentor to the Death Cab for Cutie frontman in adulthood. Both a lament and a love letter, the piano ballad is a study of the changing nature of friendship as Gibbard witnesses his pal's battle with alcohol addiction.

    "It was very sad to see them in that condition, but also beautifully humanizing," Gibbard explained to The Independent. "We tend to think of our idols as kind of superheroes; maybe less so today, given that people have a tendency to overshare on social media, but when I was growing up, all you knew about these people was what they allowed you to see – which was them doing superhuman things, up on stage in an arena with all these people going crazy. None of that removes the shackles of humanity. It doesn't ward off addiction or mental illness. I wanted to document the series of interactions that brought me to that realization."

Comments: 1

  • Exodor from Portland, OrAlthough I can't prove it I'm fairly certain this song is about Peter Buck.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Pam Tillis

Pam TillisSongwriter Interviews

The country sweetheart opines about the demands of touring and talks about writing songs with her famous father.

Rock Stars of Horror

Rock Stars of HorrorMusic Quiz

Rock Stars - especially those in the metal realm - are often enlisted for horror movies. See if you know can match the rocker to the role.

Frankie Valli

Frankie ValliSong Writing

An interview with Frankie Valli, who talks about why his songs - both solo and with The Four Seasons - have endured, and reflects on his time as Rusty Millio on The Sopranos.

Part of Their World: The Stories and Songs of 13 Disney Princesses

Part of Their World: The Stories and Songs of 13 Disney PrincessesSong Writing

From "Some Day My Prince Will Come" to "Let It Go" - how Disney princess songs (and the women who sing them) have evolved.

Kip Winger

Kip WingerSongwriter Interviews

The Winger frontman reveals the Led Zeppelin song he cribbed for "Seventeen," and explains how his passion for orchestra music informs his songwriting.

Stephen Christian of Anberlin

Stephen Christian of AnberlinSongwriter Interviews

The lead singer/lyricist for Anberlin breaks down "Impossible" and covers some tracks from their 2012 album Vital.