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.
This might sound a bit crazy
But I can't help but say it
I'll tell you what I saw
And you'll tell me what you think
This A.M. after breakfast
I was cruising past the sidewalk exit
Of the store where you work every morning
And this blond-haired boy with his trumpet toy
And his new shoes on
And your hair was long
You were flipping left and right as you work
He was saying things, you were listening
You were talking back
You thought I didn't see that but
Baby, everybody's always said I had eyes behind my hat
I held you in close up
I held you in close up
I didn't want to get too excited
Wasn't invited to the party
So I didn't come in
Oh girl, I held you in close up and you lied
I know I'm abrasive but I'm not control creation
I just demand what I need
And I trash what's left
We're tired, that's alright
We learn to believe in cold nights
And many we've seen in this outfit
Cloudy skies with you
Rainy eyes with you
And this other jake
He's such a flake
And he's slimed me with every intention
What a tragedy, what sight to see
Now I'm throwing dirt because that really hurt
And no, nothing's gonna make me believe
We could be what we were
I held you in close up
I held you in close up
I didn't want to get too excited
Wasn't invited to the party
So I didn't come in
Oh, I held you in close up
And you lied to my face
Oh baby, you've been a bad, bad girl
I held you in close up
I held you in close up
I held you in close up
I held you in close up
I held you in close up
I held you in close up
I held you in close up
And this is what, oh, oh, is what I get
Oh, you've been so bad
But I can't help but say it
I'll tell you what I saw
And you'll tell me what you think
This A.M. after breakfast
I was cruising past the sidewalk exit
Of the store where you work every morning
And this blond-haired boy with his trumpet toy
And his new shoes on
And your hair was long
You were flipping left and right as you work
He was saying things, you were listening
You were talking back
You thought I didn't see that but
Baby, everybody's always said I had eyes behind my hat
I held you in close up
I held you in close up
I didn't want to get too excited
Wasn't invited to the party
So I didn't come in
Oh girl, I held you in close up and you lied
I know I'm abrasive but I'm not control creation
I just demand what I need
And I trash what's left
We're tired, that's alright
We learn to believe in cold nights
And many we've seen in this outfit
Cloudy skies with you
Rainy eyes with you
And this other jake
He's such a flake
And he's slimed me with every intention
What a tragedy, what sight to see
Now I'm throwing dirt because that really hurt
And no, nothing's gonna make me believe
We could be what we were
I held you in close up
I held you in close up
I didn't want to get too excited
Wasn't invited to the party
So I didn't come in
Oh, I held you in close up
And you lied to my face
Oh baby, you've been a bad, bad girl
I held you in close up
I held you in close up
I held you in close up
I held you in close up
I held you in close up
I held you in close up
I held you in close up
And this is what, oh, oh, is what I get
Oh, you've been so bad
Lyrics submitted by bekkaliz
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wow....besides the fact that the lyrics are totally wrong--but yeah, i agree with jess0628 on this one...he's basically calling her bluff