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.
It's dead or alive
You'll give up or survive
These lungs weren't made for breathing
I can see it in your eyes
This time you're hardly breathing
But don't be alarmed girl
This time we don't go up for air
(I love it when you're nervous)
This time we don't go up for air
Your arson will keep us here
We'll find a way out
Cause it's about time
For you to follow
It's Dead or alive
You'll give up or survive
These lungs weren't made for breathing
And the lock on the door
keeps your head to the floor
As the flames dance up the walls
You start to feel the heat against your back
Find the hall
Make the call
Save the girl or let her fall to her creation
You will see
I'll turn the tables back around in this penitentiary
Find a nice Spot in this room where you can...
Dig yourself much deeper in
You’re giving up on getting out
When your hell begins to win
(This is exactly what you wanted)
This is the ending that you started
(Your attempt was so half hearted)
Are you listening?
We'll find a way out
It's down to every man for himself
Hey, cause it's about time
For you to follow me because you're
Dead I'm alive
You give up I survive
Your lungs gave up on breathing
And the lock on the door
Keeps your head to the floor
As the flames dance up the walls
You start to feel the heat against your back
Find the hall
Make the call
Save the girl or let her fall to her creation
You will see
I'll turn the tables back around in this penitentiary
Find a nice Spot in this room where you can...
**
DEMO:
You almost thought that you had won
Dead or alive
Is that what you had in mind
Call your bluff
Listen up
Close your eyes
I recommend you take my advice
**
Save your air
This room is like your lungs once were
Save your tears
Evacuation slim to none
The flicker of the lights through the thick of the smoke
(Save your air)
And now you wish you’d make it out
(Save your tears)
Find the hall
Make the call
Save the girl or let her fall to her creation
You will see
I'll turn the tables back around in this penitentiary
Find a nice Spot in this room where you can...
You'll give up or survive
These lungs weren't made for breathing
I can see it in your eyes
This time you're hardly breathing
But don't be alarmed girl
This time we don't go up for air
(I love it when you're nervous)
This time we don't go up for air
Your arson will keep us here
We'll find a way out
Cause it's about time
For you to follow
It's Dead or alive
You'll give up or survive
These lungs weren't made for breathing
And the lock on the door
keeps your head to the floor
As the flames dance up the walls
You start to feel the heat against your back
Find the hall
Make the call
Save the girl or let her fall to her creation
You will see
I'll turn the tables back around in this penitentiary
Find a nice Spot in this room where you can...
Dig yourself much deeper in
You’re giving up on getting out
When your hell begins to win
(This is exactly what you wanted)
This is the ending that you started
(Your attempt was so half hearted)
Are you listening?
We'll find a way out
It's down to every man for himself
Hey, cause it's about time
For you to follow me because you're
Dead I'm alive
You give up I survive
Your lungs gave up on breathing
And the lock on the door
Keeps your head to the floor
As the flames dance up the walls
You start to feel the heat against your back
Find the hall
Make the call
Save the girl or let her fall to her creation
You will see
I'll turn the tables back around in this penitentiary
Find a nice Spot in this room where you can...
**
DEMO:
You almost thought that you had won
Dead or alive
Is that what you had in mind
Call your bluff
Listen up
Close your eyes
I recommend you take my advice
**
Save your air
This room is like your lungs once were
Save your tears
Evacuation slim to none
The flicker of the lights through the thick of the smoke
(Save your air)
And now you wish you’d make it out
(Save your tears)
Find the hall
Make the call
Save the girl or let her fall to her creation
You will see
I'll turn the tables back around in this penitentiary
Find a nice Spot in this room where you can...
Lyrics submitted by ADimeADexter
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
More Featured Meanings
Standing On The Edge Of Summer
Thursday
Thursday
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
"Fast car" is kind of a continuation of Bruce Springsteen's "Born to Run." It has all the clawing your way to a better life, but in this case the protagonist never makes it with her love; in fact she is dragged back down by him.
There is still an amazing amount of hope and will in the lyrics; and the lyrics themselve rank and easy five. If only music was stronger it would be one of those great radio songs that you hear once a week 20 years after it was released. The imagery is almost tear-jerking ("City lights lay out before us", "Speeds so fast felt like I was drunk"), and the idea of starting from nothing and just driving and working and denigrating yourself for a chance at being just above poverty, then losing in the end is just painful and inspiring at the same time.
Mental Istid
Ebba Grön
Ebba Grön
This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
Holiday
Bee Gees
Bee Gees
@[Diderik:33655] "Your a holiday!" Was a popular term used in the 50s/60s to compliment someone on their all around. For example, not only are they beautiful, but they are fun and kind too ... just an all around "holiday".
I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
I Can't Go To Sleep
Wu-Tang Clan
Wu-Tang Clan
This song is written as the perspective of the boys in the street, as a whole, and what path they are going to choose as they get older and grow into men. (This is why the music video takes place in an orphanage.) The seen, and unseen collective suffering is imbedded in the boys’ mind, consciously or subconsciously, and is haunting them. Which path will the boys choose? Issac Hayes is the voice of reason, maybe God, the angel on his shoulder, or the voice of his forefathers from beyond the grave who can see the big picture and are pleading with the boys not to continue the violence and pattern of killing their brothers, but to rise above. The most beautiful song and has so many levels. Racism towards African Americans in America would not exist if everyone sat down and listened to this song and understood the history behind the words. The power, fear, pleading in RZA and Ghostface voices are genuine and powerful. Issac Hayes’ strong voice makes the perfect strong father figure, who is possibly from beyond the grave.
Glad to see someone else agrees.