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.
Are you willing to choose what I have in my mind
Say it loud, with a voice of no reason in mind
I suppose this question will be answered
And I suppose the answers are here to save us
Have you heard have you listened lately
Single word, single vowel, yet nothing frustrates me
Now I don't think you like me now
Now I don't think you like me now
Have you heard, it's a silent dream
It chooses the weather, of your soul stream
So drop me down, let me feel this either way
Face me inside, with a broken view,
A broken heart, disappear
Now I don't think you like me now
Now I don't think you're like me now
Hold it, Hold it
I won't leave you
Now hold it down, please
Oh no, Oh no
Sing alone, sing aloud, to be alive, it's so good to
feel you near
Swim alone, live a dream, see me drown,
All this in apathy
Be still for a moment
So you can face this world, you face it all for a moment
So you can face this world, you face this world
Hold it, Hold it
I won't leave you
Now hold it down, please
Say it loud, with a voice of no reason in mind
I suppose this question will be answered
And I suppose the answers are here to save us
Have you heard have you listened lately
Single word, single vowel, yet nothing frustrates me
Now I don't think you like me now
Now I don't think you like me now
Have you heard, it's a silent dream
It chooses the weather, of your soul stream
So drop me down, let me feel this either way
Face me inside, with a broken view,
A broken heart, disappear
Now I don't think you like me now
Now I don't think you're like me now
Hold it, Hold it
I won't leave you
Now hold it down, please
Oh no, Oh no
Sing alone, sing aloud, to be alive, it's so good to
feel you near
Swim alone, live a dream, see me drown,
All this in apathy
Be still for a moment
So you can face this world, you face it all for a moment
So you can face this world, you face this world
Hold it, Hold it
I won't leave you
Now hold it down, please
Lyrics submitted by MiniMaggit_6
C.O.T.E. Lyrics as written by Mark Hosking Andrew Goddard
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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Ok, here's my interpretation of COTE. This is my first post so be gentle.
This song seems to be about someone who was the Centre of the Earth to Ian (it's my understanding this song was penned by him). Obviously one would assume that this person was someone who meant the world to him and unfortunately didn't feel the same way in return. I'm sure most of us have been in a similar situation with a special someone.
The biggest indicator for this I feel are the lines "Single word, single vowel, yet nothing frustrates me" which shows that despite receiving single word, single vowel responses from this special someone, it does not frustrate him as his feelings are so strong. Also, another example of his feelings and the lack of the other person's can be seen in
"Now I don't think you like me now Now I don't think you let me now"
and
"Now I don't think you like me now Now I don't think you're like me now"
which obviously show the his feelings aren't reciprocated.
Of course the entire song seems to be about this one sided relationship and what this person means to Ian. The heartfelt vocals reflect this.
COTE is such a beautiful deep meaning song which is very close to me and I'm sure to many others. This hasn't been a strict analysis or in depth essay, just how I've interpreted the song. (keeping in mind it's been a while since I've done high school English or the likes).
That was a beautiful analysis Lucas, thank you very much!
Lucas man i think you nailed it<br />
@Lucas88 <br /> I guess: center of the earth, because, he's (emotionally) so down... to the center of the earth