In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
I was sitting lonely in my car
Watching her come and go
I could feel the strings pulling my heart
From the old house,
That I used to know
Like the river that was flowing
She was coming without knowing
Our love's the river that somehow lost it's flow,
Lost it's flow
From my car I can see her there
As the curtain slowly moves
As he runs his fingers through her hair
And the fire slowly grooves
What's the answer to this pain
I want to get back to her love again
And there she's sitting in that room
When she walked 'cross the street
Could she feel there's a heat
From my heart as it beats with her love
In her eyes other guys
See the fair that is there
But she might never know
But she might never know
I was sitting lonely in my house,
Wanting to tell her, wanting to call
And say I know I let you down,
Without thinking, his love might fall
No more hurting, no more clowning,
This emotion, isn't drowning,
If the river's gonna save our true love after all,
After all
I'm chewing on my nails again,
With my home across the street
I ain't got no place to turn to now
While you're cooking for that creep
What's the answer to this pain
I want to get back to her love again
There she's sitting in that room
When she walked 'cross the street
Could she feel there's a heat
From my heart as it beats with her love
In her eyes other guys, see the fair that is there
But she might never know
But she might never know
As I turned so she waved, this was all that she gave
So what was there to trade in love
Just the past that was cast, in the groove of the move
That she might never know
She might never know
Watching her come and go
I could feel the strings pulling my heart
From the old house,
That I used to know
Like the river that was flowing
She was coming without knowing
Our love's the river that somehow lost it's flow,
Lost it's flow
From my car I can see her there
As the curtain slowly moves
As he runs his fingers through her hair
And the fire slowly grooves
What's the answer to this pain
I want to get back to her love again
And there she's sitting in that room
When she walked 'cross the street
Could she feel there's a heat
From my heart as it beats with her love
In her eyes other guys
See the fair that is there
But she might never know
But she might never know
I was sitting lonely in my house,
Wanting to tell her, wanting to call
And say I know I let you down,
Without thinking, his love might fall
No more hurting, no more clowning,
This emotion, isn't drowning,
If the river's gonna save our true love after all,
After all
I'm chewing on my nails again,
With my home across the street
I ain't got no place to turn to now
While you're cooking for that creep
What's the answer to this pain
I want to get back to her love again
There she's sitting in that room
When she walked 'cross the street
Could she feel there's a heat
From my heart as it beats with her love
In her eyes other guys, see the fair that is there
But she might never know
But she might never know
As I turned so she waved, this was all that she gave
So what was there to trade in love
Just the past that was cast, in the groove of the move
That she might never know
She might never know
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
More Featured Meanings
Standing On The Edge Of Summer
Thursday
Thursday
Cajun Girl
Little Feat
Little Feat
Overall about difficult moments of disappointment and vulnerability. Having hope and longing, while remaining optimistic for the future. Encourages the belief that with each new morning there is a chance for things to improve.
The chorus offers a glimmer of optimism and a chance at a resolution and redemption in the future.
Captures the rollercoaster of emotions of feeling lost while loving someone who is not there for you, feeling let down and abandoned while waiting for a lover. Lost with no direction, "Now I'm up in the air with the rain in my hair, Nowhere to go, I can go anywhere"
The bridge shows signs of longing and a plea for companionship. The Lyrics express a desire for authentic connection and the importance of Loving someone just as they are. "Just in passing, I'm not asking. That you be anyone but you”
Gentle Hour
Yo La Tengo
Yo La Tengo
This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
Amazing
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran tells a story of unsuccessfully trying to feel “Amazing.” This track is about the being weighed down by emotional stress despite valiant attempts to find some positivity in the situation. This track was written by Ed Sheeran from the perspective of his friend. From the track, we see this person fall deeper into the negative thoughts and slide further down the path of mental torment with every lyric.
American Town
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran shares a short story of reconnecting with an old flame on “American Town.” The track is about a holiday Ed Sheeran spends with his countrywoman who resides in America. The two are back together after a long period apart, and get around to enjoying a bunch of fun activities while rekindling the flames of their romance.