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.
Of all I knew, I held too few
And would you stop me, if I try to stop you?
Old songs stay 'til the end
Sad songs remind me of friends
And the way that it is, I could leave it all
And I ask myself, would you care at all?
When I drive alone at night, I see the streetlights as fairgrounds
And I tried a hundred times to see the road signs as Day-Glo
Old songs, stay till the end
Sad songs, remind me of friends
And the way that it is, I could leave it all
And I ask myself, would you care at all?
Old songs, stay till the end
Sad songs, remind me of friends
And the way that it is, I could leave it all
And I ask myself, would you care at all?
And would you stop me, if I try to stop you?
Old songs stay 'til the end
Sad songs remind me of friends
And the way that it is, I could leave it all
And I ask myself, would you care at all?
When I drive alone at night, I see the streetlights as fairgrounds
And I tried a hundred times to see the road signs as Day-Glo
Old songs, stay till the end
Sad songs, remind me of friends
And the way that it is, I could leave it all
And I ask myself, would you care at all?
Old songs, stay till the end
Sad songs, remind me of friends
And the way that it is, I could leave it all
And I ask myself, would you care at all?
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Standing On The Edge Of Summer
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"Fast car" is kind of a continuation of Bruce Springsteen's "Born to Run." It has all the clawing your way to a better life, but in this case the protagonist never makes it with her love; in fact she is dragged back down by him.
There is still an amazing amount of hope and will in the lyrics; and the lyrics themselve rank and easy five. If only music was stronger it would be one of those great radio songs that you hear once a week 20 years after it was released. The imagery is almost tear-jerking ("City lights lay out before us", "Speeds so fast felt like I was drunk"), and the idea of starting from nothing and just driving and working and denigrating yourself for a chance at being just above poverty, then losing in the end is just painful and inspiring at the same time.
Holiday
Bee Gees
Bee Gees
@[Diderik:33655] "Your a holiday!" Was a popular term used in the 50s/60s to compliment someone on their all around. For example, not only are they beautiful, but they are fun and kind too ... just an all around "holiday".
I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
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,
Plastic Bag
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Plastic Bag” is a song about searching for an escape from personal problems and hoping to find it in the lively atmosphere of a Saturday night party. Ed Sheeran tells the story of his friend and the myriad of troubles he is going through. Unable to find any solutions, this friend seeks a last resort in a party and the vanity that comes with it.
“I overthink and have trouble sleepin’ / All purpose gone and don’t have a reason / And there’s no doctor to stop this bleedin’ / So I left home and jumped in the deep end,” Ed Sheeran sings in verse one. He continues by adding that this person is feeling the weight of having disappointed his father and doesn’t have any friends to rely on in this difficult moment. In the second verse, Ed sings about the role of grief in his friend’s plight and his dwindling faith in prayer. “Saturday night is givin’ me a reason to rely on the strobe lights / The lifeline of a promise in a shot glass, and I’ll take that / If you’re givin’ out love from a plastic bag,” Ed sings on the chorus, as his friend turns to new vices in hopes of feeling better.
it's funny. this entire album was played at my cousin's funeral and now it makes so much sense in that context.
after a life of hard living, he died and his biker buddies played this for him. he was thirty-nine years old.
@thefuzzybug ok this is years after your post so no idea if you'll even see this but I've also wanted this album to be played at my funeral since I first heard it when I was around 20 and I just happen to be 39 too as well as having a life of hard living (addiction, mental health issues, epilepsy and more) and I just happened to be listening to Cody right now-i came here because it's a live version I'm listening to and I wanted to check a line of the song when I saw your post. I dunno your post just struck me because of the age your cousin was, same choice of album and also a hard living life (I'm not suggesting at all your cousin had the same issues as me of course). I'm really sorry for your loss and I hope the funeral went as well as can be expected. Apologies for the long reply, like I said your post just struck me especially since passing away was a very real prospect for me every day for over a decade so I thought about things a lot. Take care
I love how almost no ones commenting on the song, just about how amazing Mogwai is lol. Which is fine.
This is one of my favorite songs. It has some of the saddest lyrics I've ever heard. I cried the first few times I heard it. Which doesn't happen often with me.
"and the way it is, i could leave it all. and i ask myself, would you care at all?"
wow.
The Peel Session is a better version. Sounds a lot more pure and emotional. As usual, notice the way the lyrics are faded back so they really hide in the music. It's an interesting technique used by Mogwai to keep the focus on their awesome orchestration but to keep a bit of meaning and variation to their music.
this is an amazing song, truly masterful. I think it's about memories, but really, in my opinion, the lyrics come second to the jaw-dropping music in this. Like radiohead, only better.
"And I tried a hundred times to see the road signs as Day-Glo. "
when i hear that line, i just love mogwai. i love them. i mean, i always love them, but just then... i /love/ them. almost as much as when the bass comes in on the first track on 'young team'. orgasmic.
I heard Mogwai was a bunch of drunk Scottish guys who like to pick fights after their shows. It's cool with me; their music is very moving and beautiful.
Yeah they did hate blur. They even started selling blur are shite tshirts. And I would agree with tuner, they are one of the best live bands. When they play my father my king....WOW! I couldn't hear for about a week but in a good way.
The lyrics are a bit wrong here. Their official site lists the first verse as:
Of all i knew I held too few And would you stop me? If i tried to stop you?
great, great song :)
Oh, Mogwai are so amazing. They are my favorite band. This song is really gripping. Makes me want to cry everytime I listen to it. Oh yeah! And Mogwai are the BEST BAND TO SEE LIVE!!!!!!!!!!! They are soooooooooo good.
They also hate Blur. Which is plus.