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.
["When I moved out to Vancouver (Canada!) in 1987, I took a walk down to a nearby river. it looked calm and peaceful, yet alive. a closer look (and smell) changed my peaceful mood into a feeling of disgust and disappointment: the water was full of raw sewage and chemicals, which I later found were spewing out from a plant upstream, as well as a garbage dump located, ever so brilliantly, fifty feet from the shoreline. this was the first time I've ever really thought of about the permanent environmental damage being done and, although I'm not about to hold up protest slogans and join Greenpeace, 'stonewall' is my way of bringing the subject up for thought."]
Stonewall, go to bat
Unless you want to live like that
Stonewall, can't we see
We're our own worst enemy
A land said to have all, wealth in land, in man
Qualities soon to exhaust as man's greed poisons the land
Streams, once fresh, were centres of life for so many a creature
Beauty without defence, polluted, never to replenish
Collage, blue and green, seen as golden industrial sites
Smudge as toxic pollutants destroy her remaining rights
The power of corporations, spewing chemicals into the air
Fines are imposed to discourage, but what's a dime to a millionaire
It's time to listen, and see the signs
It's time to listen and hear her cries
The one that gave us life is being burnt to the raw
Reaping unprotected riches, human nature's self-destruction flaw
The power of corporations, spewing chemicals into the air
Fines are imposed to discourage, but what's a dime to a millionaire
Stonewall, go to bat
Unless you want to live like that
Stonewall, can't we see
We're our own worst enemy
A land said to have all, wealth in land, in man
Qualities soon to exhaust as man's greed poisons the land
Streams, once fresh, were centres of life for so many a creature
Beauty without defence, polluted, never to replenish
Collage, blue and green, seen as golden industrial sites
Smudge as toxic pollutants destroy her remaining rights
The power of corporations, spewing chemicals into the air
Fines are imposed to discourage, but what's a dime to a millionaire
It's time to listen, and see the signs
It's time to listen and hear her cries
The one that gave us life is being burnt to the raw
Reaping unprotected riches, human nature's self-destruction flaw
The power of corporations, spewing chemicals into the air
Fines are imposed to discourage, but what's a dime to a millionaire
Lyrics submitted by HungerForMore
Stonewall Lyrics as written by Jeffrey Bruce Waters
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
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
Mental Istid
Ebba Grön
Ebba Grön
This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
Gentle Hour
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,
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/
Punchline
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran sings about missing his former partner and learning important life lessons in the process on “Punchline.” This track tells a story of battling to get rid of emotions for a former lover, whom he now realized might not have loved him the same way. He’s now caught between accepting that fact and learning life lessons from it and going back to beg her for another chance.
when i moved out to vancouver (canada!) in 1987, i took a walk down to a nearby river. it looked calm and peaceful, yet alive. a closer look (and smell) changed my peaceful mood into a feeling of disgust and disappointment: the water was full of raw sewage and chemicals, which i later found were spewing out from a plant upstream, as well as a garbage dump located, ever so brilliantly, fifty feet from the shoreline. this was the first time i've ever really thought of about the permanent environmental damage being done and, although i'm not about to hold up protest slogans and join greenpeace, 'stonewall' is my way of bringing the subject up for thought
Jeff Waters, Annihilator