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.
Times were good,
She never thought about the future, she just did what she would
Oh but she really cared
About her music, it all seemed so important then,
And she dreamed that every time that she performed
Everyone would cry for more,
That all she had to do was step into the light,
And everyone would start to roar.
And on the road,
Where all but a few fall by the wayside on the grassier verge,
She battled through
Against the others in her world, and the sleep, and the odds.
But now everytime that she performed
Oh everybody cried for more,
Soon all she had to do was step into the light,
For everyone to start to roar.
And all the people cried, you're the one we've waited for.
Oh but time went by
It wasn't so easy now, all uphill, and not feeling so strong.
Yes times were hard,
Too much thinking 'bout the future and what people might want.
An then there was the time that she performed
When nobody called for more
And soon everytime she stepped into the light,
They really let her know the score.
But she dreamed of the times when she sang all her songs
And everybody cried for more,
When all she had to do was step into the light
For everyone to start to roar.
And all the people cried, you're the one we've waited for.
She never thought about the future, she just did what she would
Oh but she really cared
About her music, it all seemed so important then,
And she dreamed that every time that she performed
Everyone would cry for more,
That all she had to do was step into the light,
And everyone would start to roar.
And on the road,
Where all but a few fall by the wayside on the grassier verge,
She battled through
Against the others in her world, and the sleep, and the odds.
But now everytime that she performed
Oh everybody cried for more,
Soon all she had to do was step into the light,
For everyone to start to roar.
And all the people cried, you're the one we've waited for.
Oh but time went by
It wasn't so easy now, all uphill, and not feeling so strong.
Yes times were hard,
Too much thinking 'bout the future and what people might want.
An then there was the time that she performed
When nobody called for more
And soon everytime she stepped into the light,
They really let her know the score.
But she dreamed of the times when she sang all her songs
And everybody cried for more,
When all she had to do was step into the light
For everyone to start to roar.
And all the people cried, you're the one we've waited for.
Lyrics submitted by Demau Senae
Duchess Lyrics as written by Mike Rutherford Anthony George Banks
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
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Great version of a great song,
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Best. Intro. Ever.
Maybe :)
I recently bought a used copy of the "Duke" album. It seems to me that the whole album follows a theme and is a rock opera (I.e. What used to be called a concept album).
Am I correct in perceiving this?
@SusanBassPlayer : Most albums from the 1970's were "concept" albums or even rock operas, if you will. Duke was indeed in that mold.
i agree with qeoffos42, i love this intro... and scratch what i said on my post on los endos, this is my fav genesis song and los endos is my second favorite... awesome song
@musiclvr36 Couldn’t agree more. Two songs I only recently got real into. I was born in ‘85 and naturally liked “Invisible Touch“ and “The Way We Walk” most but then eventually got into the ‘60s and ‘70s stuff. I recently discovered how great the ‘80s Genesis is.
When you aspire to be great (a dog after a bone), then you are great (head in ass), when you were great (you're over the hill and now there is nothing).
This song is indelibly linked to "Behind the Lines," which sets the table of "Duke" as potentially a concept album. It's gorgeous melodically. If you're not moved by the transition from verse to chorus, then have your heart checked.
Funny considering that they as a band completely sold out. Good song though. The only fault I have with it is that the end chorus thingermajig didn't have as much as an impact as I would have liked. It's certainly good, though.