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.
I hold you in my arms
As the band plays
What are those words whispered baby
Just as you turn away
I saw you last night
Out on the edge of town
I want to read your mind
To know just what I've got in this new thing I've found
So tell me what I see
When I look in your eyes
Is that you baby
Or just a brilliant disguise
I heard somebody call your name
From underneath our willow
I saw something tucked in shame
Underneath your pillow
Well I've tried so hard baby
But I just can't see
What a woman like you
Is doing with me
So tell me who I see
When I look in your eyes
Is that you baby
Or just a brilliant disguise
Now look at me baby
Struggling to do everything right
And then it all falls apart
When out go the lights
I'm just a lonely pilgrim
I walk this world in wealth
I want to know if it's you I don't trust
'Cause I damn sure don't trust myself
Now you play the loving woman
I'll play the faithful man
But just don't look too close
Into the palm of my hand
We stood at the alter
The gypsy swore our future was right
But come the wee wee hours
Well maybe baby the gypsy lied
So when you look at me
You better look hard and look twice
Is that me baby
Or just a brilliant disguise
Tonight our bed is cold
Lost in the darkness of our love
God have mercy on the man
Who doubts what he's sure of
As the band plays
What are those words whispered baby
Just as you turn away
I saw you last night
Out on the edge of town
I want to read your mind
To know just what I've got in this new thing I've found
So tell me what I see
When I look in your eyes
Is that you baby
Or just a brilliant disguise
I heard somebody call your name
From underneath our willow
I saw something tucked in shame
Underneath your pillow
Well I've tried so hard baby
But I just can't see
What a woman like you
Is doing with me
So tell me who I see
When I look in your eyes
Is that you baby
Or just a brilliant disguise
Now look at me baby
Struggling to do everything right
And then it all falls apart
When out go the lights
I'm just a lonely pilgrim
I walk this world in wealth
I want to know if it's you I don't trust
'Cause I damn sure don't trust myself
Now you play the loving woman
I'll play the faithful man
But just don't look too close
Into the palm of my hand
We stood at the alter
The gypsy swore our future was right
But come the wee wee hours
Well maybe baby the gypsy lied
So when you look at me
You better look hard and look twice
Is that me baby
Or just a brilliant disguise
Tonight our bed is cold
Lost in the darkness of our love
God have mercy on the man
Who doubts what he's sure of
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Definitely one of the best Boss tracks..
Its meaning is definitely attached to his failed marriage and the consequent "Tunnel of Love" album. When marrying his first wife their background had been completely different and probably was unsure if it was really "true" love at all? He references this in these lines, im assuming referring to his wedding day.
"I hold you in my arms as the band plays What are those words whispered baby just as you turn away"
Seems that "those words" could be about anything but my guess is "I love You" as she turns away to deal with "more important" matters.
When you first meet someone and fall in love with them what you see is not always what you get, but rather a disguise designed to entice the other party. We all do this to varying degrees and as a relationship progresses and ages, those realisms begin to surface. That in essence is the "brilliant disguise" hes talking about.
As this disguise is lifted and the cracks in a relationship begin to appear, naturally self doubt begins to surface as you start to wonder why this woman you were so in love with at one time is suddenly is not looking the same and is not looking AT YOU the same. You try and make it work as you "play the faithful man" and she plays the "loving woman" but in the end all that's created is a loveless relationship filled with constant self doubt about yourself. As those doubts begin to surface as you start asking yourself if it is you thats the problem never really realizing that its the relationship was doomed to begin with.
"And then it all falls apart when out go the lights I'm just a lonely pilgrim I walk this world in wealth I want to know if it's you I don't trust 'cause I damn sure don't trust myself"
In the end, relationships like this do not work and just leads to the lack of loveless relationship/marriage which both parties are to "nice" to do anything about it. It takes time to get past someones true disguises, as we all have plenty of them.
"Tonight our bed is cold I'm lost in the darkness of our love God have mercy on the man Who doubts what he's sure of"