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.
He took the reins of power in 1933
The appointed deputy fuhrer of the N.S.D.A.P.
This is the story of Rudolph Hess, a brave and loyal man
Gave his life for his beliefs because he loved his land
On that night of May, 10th in 1941
He boarded an Me-110, for his mission had just begun
Destination-Scotland, the Duke of Hamilton he must seek
But what was to unfold from his emissary of peace?
Chorus:
Sieg Heil-Rudolf Hess, your legacy lives on
Your courage and your honour keeps us marching strong
Sieg Heil-Rudolf Hess, amongst the gods you lie
You live on in Valhalla, 'cause true heroes never die
Imprisoned, for his proposal of peace
An attempt at White unity so the brother's war would cease
Held as a private prisoner for the duration of the war
Until October 1945 when the trial hit the floor
Hess was found guilty of crimes against peace
Sentenced to a life in hell for fighting for his beliefs
Then for the next 40 years he'd rot in a Spandau cell
'Cause he tried to end the war, they sentenced him to hell
(Repeat Chorus)
solo
Change:
Now stripped of his identity and left to rot away
No longer known as Rudolf Hess,
Number 7 his new name
Until in 1987 on August 17th
When Hess began his journey in to eternal sleep
You're gone but not forgotten,
You live in our hearts and minds
What you have done to save your race
Sends chills down my spine
Every year on the 17th we fly our flags up high
And salute in remembrance
A true martyr of our time
(Repeat Chorus) x2
The appointed deputy fuhrer of the N.S.D.A.P.
This is the story of Rudolph Hess, a brave and loyal man
Gave his life for his beliefs because he loved his land
On that night of May, 10th in 1941
He boarded an Me-110, for his mission had just begun
Destination-Scotland, the Duke of Hamilton he must seek
But what was to unfold from his emissary of peace?
Chorus:
Sieg Heil-Rudolf Hess, your legacy lives on
Your courage and your honour keeps us marching strong
Sieg Heil-Rudolf Hess, amongst the gods you lie
You live on in Valhalla, 'cause true heroes never die
Imprisoned, for his proposal of peace
An attempt at White unity so the brother's war would cease
Held as a private prisoner for the duration of the war
Until October 1945 when the trial hit the floor
Hess was found guilty of crimes against peace
Sentenced to a life in hell for fighting for his beliefs
Then for the next 40 years he'd rot in a Spandau cell
'Cause he tried to end the war, they sentenced him to hell
(Repeat Chorus)
solo
Change:
Now stripped of his identity and left to rot away
No longer known as Rudolf Hess,
Number 7 his new name
Until in 1987 on August 17th
When Hess began his journey in to eternal sleep
You're gone but not forgotten,
You live in our hearts and minds
What you have done to save your race
Sends chills down my spine
Every year on the 17th we fly our flags up high
And salute in remembrance
A true martyr of our time
(Repeat Chorus) x2
Lyrics submitted by 2yt4u
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Yo La Tengo
Yo La Tengo
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,
No Surprises
Radiohead
Radiohead
Same ideas expressed in Fitter, Happier are expressed in this song. We're told to strive for some sort of ideal life, which includes getting a good job, being kind to everyone, finding a partner, getting married, having a couple kids, living in a quiet neighborhood in a nice big house, etc. But in Fitter, Happier the narrator(?) realizes that it's incredibly robotic to live this life. People are being used by those in power "like a pig in a cage on antibiotics"--being pacified with things like new phones and cool gadgets and houses while being sucked dry. On No Surprises, the narrator is realizing how this life is killing him slowly. In the video, his helmet is slowly filling up with water, drowning him. But he's so complacent with it. This is a good summary of the song. This boring, "perfect" life foisted upon us by some higher powers (not spiritual, but political, economic, etc. politicians and businessmen, perhaps) is not the way to live. But there is seemingly no way out but death. He'd rather die peacefully right now than live in this cage. While our lives are often shielded, we're in our own protective bubbles, or protective helmets like the one Thom wears, if we look a little harder we can see all the corruption, lies, manipulation, etc. that is going on in the world, often run by huge yet nearly invisible organizations, corporations, and 'leaders'. It's a very hopeless song because it reflects real life.
Just A Little Lovin'
Dusty Springfield
Dusty Springfield
I don't think it's necessarily about sex. It's about wanting to start the day with some love and affection. Maybe a warm cuddle. I'm not alone in interpreting it that way! For example:
"'Just a Little Lovin’ is a timeless country song originally recorded by Eddy Arnold in 1954. The song, written by Eddie Miller and Jimmy Campbell, explores the delicate nuances of love and showcases Arnold’s emotive vocals. It delves into the universal theme of love and how even the smallest gesture of affection can have a profound impact on our lives." https://oldtimemusic.com/the-meaning-behind-the-song-just-a-little-lovin-by-eddy-arnold/
Page
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
There aren’t many things that’ll hurt more than giving love a chance against your better judgement only to have your heart crushed yet again. Ed Sheeran tells such a story on “Page.” On this track, he is devastated to have lost his lover and even more saddened by the feeling that he may never move on from this.
You can hear the song here: tinyurl.com/vsbm8
I love the song.