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.
Oh, oh, oh, yeah
Oh, oh, oh, yeah
I used to want to change the world
In brotherhood, us two
But now my friend I only want to save it
From you
I bid farewell to those lonely days
Breaking my back for you to siphon my veins
The masters will now return
To the (hands of the slaves)
And we'll spin them reel to reel
So that every single time you hear
This soundtrack of the voiceless
You'll know the end is drawing near
Can I say you were ever a friend to me? No
Can I say you were ever a friend to me? No
Can I say you were ever a friend to me? No
Now, you know, now, you know
Oh, oh, oh, yeah
I used to want to change the world
In brotherhood, us two
But now my friend I only want to save it
From you
I bid farewell to those lonely days
Breaking my back for you to siphon my veins
The masters will now return
To the (hands of the slaves)
And we'll spin them reel to reel
So that every single time you hear
This soundtrack of the voiceless
You'll know the end is drawing near
Can I say you were ever a friend to me? No
Can I say you were ever a friend to me? No
Can I say you were ever a friend to me? No
Now, you know, now, you know
Lyrics submitted by dceffex, edited by TheSpyHunterP86
The Great Golden Gate Disaster Lyrics as written by Andrew Schwab Alexander Albert
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
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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,
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This is Project 86's anger song toward the record company that cut them (Atlantic I think). It's a song of realization that they made a mistake trying to become famous through one of the vampire corporate giants.
It's also about the little guy sticking it to the man in some ways. Not the most Christian song, but still it's honest and from Andrew's heart, which is what makes Project such a good band.
It sounds far too religious to be just against Atlantic. Considering lyrics like
"The fallen son that bought our freedom Is the I, the I that had to die"
and
"Outside you there's a remedy A destiny in identity"
I think it's speaking to the So-Called Emperor. Many of P86's songs are defiant of some Unseen, Unspoken Power, just like this one. Consider Stein's Theme, The Spy Hunter, and especially A Text Message to the So-Called Emperor and Solace. Consider the meaning of controlling your impulse for taking violent revenge on your enemies that was conveyed in My Will Be a Dead Man. I can't believe they would chew out Atlantic beyond Breakdown in 3/4. And Breakdown in 3/4 wasn't quite as defiant as this song; it was more like sarcastically saying "We'll see how well we do without you now" (and I think it fits the bill as an address to Atlantic). I think highly defiant songs like this, though, one are reserved for the Unseen Power of the earth.
This sounds as if is God speaking directly to Satan. Satan was once an angel (Reference: Ezekiel 28:12-17, Isaiah 14:12)
"I used to want to change the world In brotherhood, us two But now my friend I only want to save it From you"