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.
[verse 1]
He liked to keep his women looking nice
And tried to pay the phone bill but she turned him down twice
Even though her life wasn't sunny
she felt she didn't know him well enough to take his money
Instead, she recommended quiet dinner
Maybe next weekend if she could find a baby-sitter
Her daughter was 3 and she was 21
With dreams of marriage and having a son
But most times she felt like she'd never find love
So she drank away the pain in blood stained night-clubs
and went home with men that acted like thugs
addicted to the night life, like drugs
But regrets the morning after always caught up
waking up with men unfamiliar to her daughter
Even though they gave an escape from lonely days
she never felt better than when they parted ways
[sample refrain]
[verse 2]
Nothing special she thought when his path crossed her mind
He could never be the one just, occupy her time
and fill the lonely days that had become so basic
since her heart was torn from the broken off engagement
2 years ago and 3 states away
but by the look in her brown eyes you woulda thought it happened yesterday
And now this new one with attentions to impress
bought her tennis shoes and a brand new summer dress
If you could see the smile on her face
and how it washed away the work week's bitter taste
Plus, this was the week of her born day
the sun-ray in a life of all work and no play
He said he wanted her to spend it with him
but she said she'd already committed to a friend
He denied her invitation to come along
told her to call when she got home
[sample refrain]
[verse 3]
She pulled into the parking lot
startled when she saw him standing right behind her in the dark
Demanding to tell him who she slept with today
smelling the liquor on his breath she began to walk away
He grabbed her by the throat yanked off the gold chain
and almost smiled satisfied at her pain
He thought of this her reward for being unfaithful
Lifted from her feet tears rolled down her cheeks
And terrified, she closed her eyes
While the storm made it impossible to hear her cries
He knew this
And struck with a clenched fist
And told her he wasn't stupid
She's now pinned to the ground
with his hand in her mouth to muffle the sounds
Knee planted in her chest until breathing hurt
He said she forced him, to take back his tennis-skirt
Much stronger she offered very little resistance to him
taking back the clothes that he'd given
Then he cocked back his fist for one last blow
and left her in the parking lot knocked out cold.
He liked to keep his women looking nice
And tried to pay the phone bill but she turned him down twice
Even though her life wasn't sunny
she felt she didn't know him well enough to take his money
Instead, she recommended quiet dinner
Maybe next weekend if she could find a baby-sitter
Her daughter was 3 and she was 21
With dreams of marriage and having a son
But most times she felt like she'd never find love
So she drank away the pain in blood stained night-clubs
and went home with men that acted like thugs
addicted to the night life, like drugs
But regrets the morning after always caught up
waking up with men unfamiliar to her daughter
Even though they gave an escape from lonely days
she never felt better than when they parted ways
[sample refrain]
[verse 2]
Nothing special she thought when his path crossed her mind
He could never be the one just, occupy her time
and fill the lonely days that had become so basic
since her heart was torn from the broken off engagement
2 years ago and 3 states away
but by the look in her brown eyes you woulda thought it happened yesterday
And now this new one with attentions to impress
bought her tennis shoes and a brand new summer dress
If you could see the smile on her face
and how it washed away the work week's bitter taste
Plus, this was the week of her born day
the sun-ray in a life of all work and no play
He said he wanted her to spend it with him
but she said she'd already committed to a friend
He denied her invitation to come along
told her to call when she got home
[sample refrain]
[verse 3]
She pulled into the parking lot
startled when she saw him standing right behind her in the dark
Demanding to tell him who she slept with today
smelling the liquor on his breath she began to walk away
He grabbed her by the throat yanked off the gold chain
and almost smiled satisfied at her pain
He thought of this her reward for being unfaithful
Lifted from her feet tears rolled down her cheeks
And terrified, she closed her eyes
While the storm made it impossible to hear her cries
He knew this
And struck with a clenched fist
And told her he wasn't stupid
She's now pinned to the ground
with his hand in her mouth to muffle the sounds
Knee planted in her chest until breathing hurt
He said she forced him, to take back his tennis-skirt
Much stronger she offered very little resistance to him
taking back the clothes that he'd given
Then he cocked back his fist for one last blow
and left her in the parking lot knocked out cold.
Lyrics submitted by Guerillabaabaa
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
Cajun Girl
Little Feat
Little Feat
Overall about difficult moments of disappointment and vulnerability. Having hope and longing, while remaining optimistic for the future. Encourages the belief that with each new morning there is a chance for things to improve.
The chorus offers a glimmer of optimism and a chance at a resolution and redemption in the future.
Captures the rollercoaster of emotions of feeling lost while loving someone who is not there for you, feeling let down and abandoned while waiting for a lover. Lost with no direction, "Now I'm up in the air with the rain in my hair, Nowhere to go, I can go anywhere"
The bridge shows signs of longing and a plea for companionship. The Lyrics express a desire for authentic connection and the importance of Loving someone just as they are. "Just in passing, I'm not asking. That you be anyone but you”
Mountain Song
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction vocalist Perry Farrell gives Adam Reader some heartfelt insight into Jane’s Addiction's hard rock manifesto "Mountain Song", which was the second single from their revolutionary album Nothing's Shocking. Mountain song was first recorded in 1986 and appeared on the soundtrack to the film Dudes starring Jon Cryer. The version on Nothing's Shocking was re-recorded in 1988.
"'Mountain Song' was actually about... I hate to say it but... drugs. Climbing this mountain and getting as high as you can, and then coming down that mountain," reveals Farrell. "What it feels to descend from the mountain top... not easy at all. The ascension is tough but exhilarating. Getting down is... it's a real bummer. Drugs is not for everybody obviously. For me, I wanted to experience the heights, and the lows come along with it."
"There's a part - 'Cash in now honey, cash in Miss Smith.' Miss Smith is my Mother; our last name was Smith. Cashing in when she cashed in her life. So... she decided that, to her... at that time, she was desperate. Life wasn't worth it for her, that was her opinion. Some people think, never take your life, and some people find that their life isn't worth living. She was in love with my Dad, and my Dad was not faithful to her, and it broke her heart. She was very desperate and she did something that I know she regrets."
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,
Head > Heels
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Head > Heels” is a track that aims to capture what it feels like to experience romance that exceeds expectations. Ed Sheeran dedicates his album outro to a lover who has blessed him with a unique experience that he seeks to describe through the song’s nuanced lyrics.