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.
Get behind my eyes for another view
Of painted skies beautiful blue
Don't be surprised if you discover it all
Snap into a different frame of mind
It's a game of seek and find
Run the maze with lots of lines in the walls
And this is what I mean by that
This is what I mean by that
This is what I mean by that
Now you understand
Throw on the shoes that you want to wear
You can choose your favorite pair
Try not to care about the perfect fit (You're growing)
Ask about the things that you want to know
Plant the seed and leave room to grow
Listen deep 'cause you never know what you might hear
And this is what I mean by that
This is what I mean by that
This is what I mean by that
Now you understand
Now you understand
Now you understand
It's not a game that I can play by myself
Only you can look at me
And see the faces of someone else
You see the faces of someone else
You see the faces of someone else
Get behind my eyes for another view
Of painted skies beautiful blue
Don't be surprised of I'm a lot like you
We'll carve a place for love inside of you
The empty space, let it flow through
And then your face will show your feelings true
Yeah
And this is what I mean by that
This is what I mean by that
This is what I mean by that
Now you understand
Now you understand
Now you under
This is what I mean by that
This is what I mean by that
This is what I mean by that
Now you understand
Now you understand
Of painted skies beautiful blue
Don't be surprised if you discover it all
Snap into a different frame of mind
It's a game of seek and find
Run the maze with lots of lines in the walls
And this is what I mean by that
This is what I mean by that
This is what I mean by that
Now you understand
Throw on the shoes that you want to wear
You can choose your favorite pair
Try not to care about the perfect fit (You're growing)
Ask about the things that you want to know
Plant the seed and leave room to grow
Listen deep 'cause you never know what you might hear
And this is what I mean by that
This is what I mean by that
This is what I mean by that
Now you understand
Now you understand
Now you understand
It's not a game that I can play by myself
Only you can look at me
And see the faces of someone else
You see the faces of someone else
You see the faces of someone else
Get behind my eyes for another view
Of painted skies beautiful blue
Don't be surprised of I'm a lot like you
We'll carve a place for love inside of you
The empty space, let it flow through
And then your face will show your feelings true
Yeah
And this is what I mean by that
This is what I mean by that
This is what I mean by that
Now you understand
Now you understand
Now you under
This is what I mean by that
This is what I mean by that
This is what I mean by that
Now you understand
Now you understand
Lyrics submitted by MDMusicGirl88
This Is What I Mean by That Lyrics as written by Michael Francis Tolcher
Lyrics © Songtrust Ave
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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
Bron-Y-Aur Stomp
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
This is about bronies. They communicate by stomping.
Amazing
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran tells a story of unsuccessfully trying to feel “Amazing.” This track is about the being weighed down by emotional stress despite valiant attempts to find some positivity in the situation. This track was written by Ed Sheeran from the perspective of his friend. From the track, we see this person fall deeper into the negative thoughts and slide further down the path of mental torment with every lyric.
American Town
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran shares a short story of reconnecting with an old flame on “American Town.” The track is about a holiday Ed Sheeran spends with his countrywoman who resides in America. The two are back together after a long period apart, and get around to enjoying a bunch of fun activities while rekindling the flames of their romance.
Plastic Bag
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Plastic Bag” is a song about searching for an escape from personal problems and hoping to find it in the lively atmosphere of a Saturday night party. Ed Sheeran tells the story of his friend and the myriad of troubles he is going through. Unable to find any solutions, this friend seeks a last resort in a party and the vanity that comes with it.
“I overthink and have trouble sleepin’ / All purpose gone and don’t have a reason / And there’s no doctor to stop this bleedin’ / So I left home and jumped in the deep end,” Ed Sheeran sings in verse one. He continues by adding that this person is feeling the weight of having disappointed his father and doesn’t have any friends to rely on in this difficult moment. In the second verse, Ed sings about the role of grief in his friend’s plight and his dwindling faith in prayer. “Saturday night is givin’ me a reason to rely on the strobe lights / The lifeline of a promise in a shot glass, and I’ll take that / If you’re givin’ out love from a plastic bag,” Ed sings on the chorus, as his friend turns to new vices in hopes of feeling better.
..so what does he mean by this song?
"Get behind my eyes for another view" "Snap into a different frame of mind"
Is he saying he wants someone to know what he means by stepping into his "shoes"? I love his lyrics!