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.
Yeah, uh
They say money can't buy you love
They say money can't buy you love
They never seem to listen
I'm all ears
Just copped your girl a brand new Rolex
But you can never find the time to spend at home
Thinking that's gon' keep her happy
When time is all she wanted all along
It's the simple things in life we forget, uh
You hear her talking, but don't hear what she said, yeah
Why do you make something so easy so complicated?
Searching for what's right in front of your face
But you can't see it
So you think that you know what's important, uh
Steady chasing your fame and your fortune
But you don't know you're chasing a dime, losing a treasure
Those dollars don't make sense to me at all
Oh, it goes (duh da, duh da)
You give her spending money (duh da, duh da)
But all she wanna spend is time alone (tonight)
Keep giving her (the finer things, but)
But she don't really need that (if you don't stop, you're)
You're gonna end up alone (alone)
In a world without love (duh duh da, duh da)
Why would you do it?
It's the simple things in life we forget, uh
You hear her talking, but don't hear what she said, yeah
Why do you make something so easy so complicated?
Searching for what's right in front of your face
But you can't see it
It's the simple things in life we forget
You hear her talking, but don't hear what she said
Why do you make something so easy so complicated?
Searching for what's right in front of your face
But you can't see it (listen)
Stop tryna buy her love
'Cause you won't ever have enough
There's always someone with more than you
You need to pay her attention
Give her what she needs
Do the simple things
Before you lose your girl to me
Yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah
Yeah, yeah
Play on, playa
Yeah, your girl coming with me shorty, haha
I'm telling you, man
'Cause you know
It's the simple things in life we forget, uh
You hear her talking, but don't hear what she said, yeah
Why do you make something so easy so complicated?
Searching for what's right in front of your face
But you can't see it
You better look out
I hear you talking, I hear you talking, ha
But what are you saying?
Oh ho, oh ho
Don't be a fool, you got a good thing
Man, are you blind, stupid or crazy?
You got a good thing, uh
You got a good thing
If that's your lady, you better hold on
And give her what she want before she move on
Man, I'm tellin' you, cars, clothes, and fancy things don't mean a damn thing
If you ain't kicking it, baby
It's the simple things in life we forget, uh
You hear her talking, but don't hear what she said, yeah
Why do you make something so easy so complicated?
Searching for what's right in front of your face
But you can't see it
Don't let this be that thing you'll always regret, your love
It's right there, right there
They say money can't buy you love
They say money can't buy you love
They never seem to listen
I'm all ears
Just copped your girl a brand new Rolex
But you can never find the time to spend at home
Thinking that's gon' keep her happy
When time is all she wanted all along
It's the simple things in life we forget, uh
You hear her talking, but don't hear what she said, yeah
Why do you make something so easy so complicated?
Searching for what's right in front of your face
But you can't see it
So you think that you know what's important, uh
Steady chasing your fame and your fortune
But you don't know you're chasing a dime, losing a treasure
Those dollars don't make sense to me at all
Oh, it goes (duh da, duh da)
You give her spending money (duh da, duh da)
But all she wanna spend is time alone (tonight)
Keep giving her (the finer things, but)
But she don't really need that (if you don't stop, you're)
You're gonna end up alone (alone)
In a world without love (duh duh da, duh da)
Why would you do it?
It's the simple things in life we forget, uh
You hear her talking, but don't hear what she said, yeah
Why do you make something so easy so complicated?
Searching for what's right in front of your face
But you can't see it
It's the simple things in life we forget
You hear her talking, but don't hear what she said
Why do you make something so easy so complicated?
Searching for what's right in front of your face
But you can't see it (listen)
Stop tryna buy her love
'Cause you won't ever have enough
There's always someone with more than you
You need to pay her attention
Give her what she needs
Do the simple things
Before you lose your girl to me
Yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah
Yeah, yeah
Play on, playa
Yeah, your girl coming with me shorty, haha
I'm telling you, man
'Cause you know
It's the simple things in life we forget, uh
You hear her talking, but don't hear what she said, yeah
Why do you make something so easy so complicated?
Searching for what's right in front of your face
But you can't see it
You better look out
I hear you talking, I hear you talking, ha
But what are you saying?
Oh ho, oh ho
Don't be a fool, you got a good thing
Man, are you blind, stupid or crazy?
You got a good thing, uh
You got a good thing
If that's your lady, you better hold on
And give her what she want before she move on
Man, I'm tellin' you, cars, clothes, and fancy things don't mean a damn thing
If you ain't kicking it, baby
It's the simple things in life we forget, uh
You hear her talking, but don't hear what she said, yeah
Why do you make something so easy so complicated?
Searching for what's right in front of your face
But you can't see it
Don't let this be that thing you'll always regret, your love
It's right there, right there
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Haha This is aimed at all the nice girls, as opposed to the gold diggers that just want the money.
Chicks love guys who listen to them.
This is an anthem to all guys everywhere who haven't listened to If I Ain't Got You yet. It just tells you that yo' boo don't need the fancy things in life to make them happy, they just need your time and love otherwise they will leave yo ass boy. We will leave yo' ass!