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.
At first I was afraid, I was petrified
Kept thinking I could never live without you by my side
But then I spent so many nights thinking how you did me wrong
And I grew strong and I learned how to get along
And now you're back from outer space
I just walked in to find you here with that, that look upon your face
I should have changed that stupid lock
I should have made you leave your key
If I had known for just one second you'd be back to bother me
Go on now, go, walk out the door
Just turn around now 'cause you're not welcome anymore
Weren't you the one who tried to hurt me with goodbye?
Did you think I'd crumble, did you think I'd lay down and die?
Oh, no, not I, I will survive
As long as I know how to love, I know I'll stay alive
I've got all my life to live and I've got all my love to give
And I'll survive, I will survive, hey, hey, hey
I asked the Lord, give me strength and don't let me fall apart
I'm trying hard to mend the pieces of my broken heart
And I spent oh many nights just feeling sorry for myself
I used to cry, but now I hold my head up high
And now you see me (see me) somebody new
I'm not that tender little person, still sweat for you
So you felt like dropping by and you expected me to be free
Well, I'm saving all my loving for someone who's loving me
Oh, no (oh no) walk out the door (walk out the door)
Just turn around now 'cause you're not welcome anymore
Weren't you the one who tried to crush me with goodbyes
Did you think I'd crumble, ha ha ha
Did you think I'd lay down and die?
Oh, no, oh no (I will survive)
(As long as I know how to love, I know I'll stay alive)
I've got all my life to live, I've got all my love to give
And I'll survive (survive), I will survive, hey, hey
I, I, I will, will
I'm a survivor (oh)
I'm gon' to make it
I'm not gon' stop
I'm gonna get stronger
I'm a survivor (survivor) I'm gonna make it (make)
I'm not gon' stop
I'm gonna get stronger
(I'm a survivor, I'm not gon' give up)
(Not gonna stop)
(I'm gon' worker harder)
Are you listing?
Now you know I took all of the strength that I had
Not to fall apart
I kept trying hard
To mend the pieces of my broken heart
But I will survive
It took all of the strength I had
Not to fall apart
I tried hard to mend the pieces of my broken heart
I spent so many nights feeling sorry for myself
I used to cry, but now I hold my head up high
And now you see me ( and see me) somebody new
I'm not that tender little person still in love with you
Oh so you felt like stopping by and expected me to be free?
Yeah, well, I'm saving all my loving for someone who's loving me
Beat it (beat it) get to steppin' (get to steppin')
Keep it moving, get it on down the road, alright (get on down the road)
Weren't you the one who tried to crush me with goodbyes?
Did you think I'd crumble, he he ha ha
Thought I'd lay down and die?
Oh, no, this is me (I will survive)
Sure 'nuff, me (as long as I know how to love, I know I'll stay alive)
(I've got all my life to live and I've got all my love to give)
And I'll survive (survive), I will survive, hey, hey, hey
Kept thinking I could never live without you by my side
But then I spent so many nights thinking how you did me wrong
And I grew strong and I learned how to get along
And now you're back from outer space
I just walked in to find you here with that, that look upon your face
I should have changed that stupid lock
I should have made you leave your key
If I had known for just one second you'd be back to bother me
Go on now, go, walk out the door
Just turn around now 'cause you're not welcome anymore
Weren't you the one who tried to hurt me with goodbye?
Did you think I'd crumble, did you think I'd lay down and die?
Oh, no, not I, I will survive
As long as I know how to love, I know I'll stay alive
I've got all my life to live and I've got all my love to give
And I'll survive, I will survive, hey, hey, hey
I asked the Lord, give me strength and don't let me fall apart
I'm trying hard to mend the pieces of my broken heart
And I spent oh many nights just feeling sorry for myself
I used to cry, but now I hold my head up high
And now you see me (see me) somebody new
I'm not that tender little person, still sweat for you
So you felt like dropping by and you expected me to be free
Well, I'm saving all my loving for someone who's loving me
Oh, no (oh no) walk out the door (walk out the door)
Just turn around now 'cause you're not welcome anymore
Weren't you the one who tried to crush me with goodbyes
Did you think I'd crumble, ha ha ha
Did you think I'd lay down and die?
Oh, no, oh no (I will survive)
(As long as I know how to love, I know I'll stay alive)
I've got all my life to live, I've got all my love to give
And I'll survive (survive), I will survive, hey, hey
I, I, I will, will
I'm a survivor (oh)
I'm gon' to make it
I'm not gon' stop
I'm gonna get stronger
I'm a survivor (survivor) I'm gonna make it (make)
I'm not gon' stop
I'm gonna get stronger
(I'm a survivor, I'm not gon' give up)
(Not gonna stop)
(I'm gon' worker harder)
Are you listing?
Now you know I took all of the strength that I had
Not to fall apart
I kept trying hard
To mend the pieces of my broken heart
But I will survive
It took all of the strength I had
Not to fall apart
I tried hard to mend the pieces of my broken heart
I spent so many nights feeling sorry for myself
I used to cry, but now I hold my head up high
And now you see me ( and see me) somebody new
I'm not that tender little person still in love with you
Oh so you felt like stopping by and expected me to be free?
Yeah, well, I'm saving all my loving for someone who's loving me
Beat it (beat it) get to steppin' (get to steppin')
Keep it moving, get it on down the road, alright (get on down the road)
Weren't you the one who tried to crush me with goodbyes?
Did you think I'd crumble, he he ha ha
Thought I'd lay down and die?
Oh, no, this is me (I will survive)
Sure 'nuff, me (as long as I know how to love, I know I'll stay alive)
(I've got all my life to live and I've got all my love to give)
And I'll survive (survive), I will survive, hey, hey, hey
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