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”
Staying up planning the downfall of your corrupted system
What plot will I figure out, what thoughts will I pen down?
I will have my coup d'etat
I will start a riot
I will hold your burning flag in my hand
Sitting up all night planning
Revolution with a catchy phrase
Shitty band with an awesome plan
Punk crusade throughout the land
Sick of silence, passive masses
Educate, resist & take control
To live a life in fear of changing
Is to not live at all
I will have my coup d'etat
I will start a riot
I'll hold your burning flag
In my hand
I'll watch your empire fall
I'll watch your empire fall
I will watch
Your empire fall
I will not die for you
I will not kill for you
I will not fight for you
I will not die for you
I will not kill for you
I will not fight for you
I will hold your burning flag in my hand
As I watch your empire fall
Because I know it will
Because I know it will
I will have my coup d'etat
I will have my coup d'etat
I will have my coup d'etat
I will have my...
What plot will I figure out, what thoughts will I pen down?
I will have my coup d'etat
I will start a riot
I will hold your burning flag in my hand
Sitting up all night planning
Revolution with a catchy phrase
Shitty band with an awesome plan
Punk crusade throughout the land
Sick of silence, passive masses
Educate, resist & take control
To live a life in fear of changing
Is to not live at all
I will have my coup d'etat
I will start a riot
I'll hold your burning flag
In my hand
I'll watch your empire fall
I'll watch your empire fall
I will watch
Your empire fall
I will not die for you
I will not kill for you
I will not fight for you
I will not die for you
I will not kill for you
I will not fight for you
I will hold your burning flag in my hand
As I watch your empire fall
Because I know it will
Because I know it will
I will have my coup d'etat
I will have my coup d'etat
I will have my coup d'etat
I will have my...
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More Featured Meanings
Cajun Girl
Little Feat
Little Feat
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,
No Surprises
Radiohead
Radiohead
Same ideas expressed in Fitter, Happier are expressed in this song. We're told to strive for some sort of ideal life, which includes getting a good job, being kind to everyone, finding a partner, getting married, having a couple kids, living in a quiet neighborhood in a nice big house, etc. But in Fitter, Happier the narrator(?) realizes that it's incredibly robotic to live this life. People are being used by those in power "like a pig in a cage on antibiotics"--being pacified with things like new phones and cool gadgets and houses while being sucked dry. On No Surprises, the narrator is realizing how this life is killing him slowly. In the video, his helmet is slowly filling up with water, drowning him. But he's so complacent with it. This is a good summary of the song. This boring, "perfect" life foisted upon us by some higher powers (not spiritual, but political, economic, etc. politicians and businessmen, perhaps) is not the way to live. But there is seemingly no way out but death. He'd rather die peacefully right now than live in this cage. While our lives are often shielded, we're in our own protective bubbles, or protective helmets like the one Thom wears, if we look a little harder we can see all the corruption, lies, manipulation, etc. that is going on in the world, often run by huge yet nearly invisible organizations, corporations, and 'leaders'. It's a very hopeless song because it reflects real life.
Punchline
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran sings about missing his former partner and learning important life lessons in the process on “Punchline.” This track tells a story of battling to get rid of emotions for a former lover, whom he now realized might not have loved him the same way. He’s now caught between accepting that fact and learning life lessons from it and going back to beg her for another chance.
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.
Anyone who likes that kind of lyrics is my friend. If you like anachist-music-lyrics, check out Prapaghandi (for those who don't know them already), especially the album "today's empire tomorrow's ashes"