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.
I have weapons and battle plans
But in my heart I know
I can't ever protect you from
Things I don't understand
And when I hold you in my arms
It scares me just to
Think that something so beautiful
Could just come apart in my hands
I've always been chasing rainbows
Staring out of classroom windows
I don't think I'll ever be happy
Unless I'm unhappy and hugging my grudge
I was too dumb to settle down
So, I packed up and I left town
On a sunshine bus
Wondering where it all went wrong
On a flimsy wing and a prayer
I followed my heart everywhere
'Til I ended up
Right back where I started from
I've always been quietly dreaming
I don't know when I've been beaten
I don't think I'll ever be happy
Unless I'm unhappy and hugging my grudge
I've always been chasing rainbows
Staring out of classroom windows
I don't think I'll ever be happy
Unless I'm unhappy and hugging my grudge
I've always been quietly dreaming
I don't know when I've been beaten
I don't think I'll ever be happy
Unless I'm unhappy and hugging my grudge
But in my heart I know
I can't ever protect you from
Things I don't understand
And when I hold you in my arms
It scares me just to
Think that something so beautiful
Could just come apart in my hands
I've always been chasing rainbows
Staring out of classroom windows
I don't think I'll ever be happy
Unless I'm unhappy and hugging my grudge
I was too dumb to settle down
So, I packed up and I left town
On a sunshine bus
Wondering where it all went wrong
On a flimsy wing and a prayer
I followed my heart everywhere
'Til I ended up
Right back where I started from
I've always been quietly dreaming
I don't know when I've been beaten
I don't think I'll ever be happy
Unless I'm unhappy and hugging my grudge
I've always been chasing rainbows
Staring out of classroom windows
I don't think I'll ever be happy
Unless I'm unhappy and hugging my grudge
I've always been quietly dreaming
I don't know when I've been beaten
I don't think I'll ever be happy
Unless I'm unhappy and hugging my grudge
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One of the best discs to come out these year.
I want to edit my comment. :( *this year
haha, typo's should always be editable.
I agree though,definitely one of the best albums this year, along with Architecture In Helsinki's latest effort.
This man knows the score.
This man knows the score.
yeh. deffo one of the best releases this year. i love this band, they're so cute. the first & second verse are just so beautiful.
Someone please add "I'm glad..." lyrics! Arghhh!!!
The art for the vinyl is so cool. I can't wait until I can find a copy somewhere in the US. Probably my second favorite song on the album, behind Paper Cuts.
I love this song, and here is my attempt to analyze it. Sorry for the unorganized way that I've approached this--I've tried to include quotes/lines from the song to direct my analysis (to make it easier to follow).
He is unable to settle down or be content with his life, so he "chases rainbows" and "stares out of classroom windows" (looking for other places to be, where he thinks that he will find contentment). But, despite his searching, he's never found it. However, he feels happiness while he searches ("happy hugging my grudge"-->accepting the unhappiness he's bound to have if he doesn't become content with what he's got).
He's found someone he loves (or maybe SOMETHING he loves), but is afraid of ruining it because of his inability to stop moving around and commit to her (or "it"): "It scares me just to think That something so beautiful Could come apart in my hands"
Again, he's had the habit of looking for adventure/joy/fulfillment all of his life, going places on a whim ("I followed my heart everywhere"), but has never found what he was looking for. Or, if he did, it took him back to this girl/thing that he's afraid of hurting or losing: "Until I ended up back; Where I started from".
That's it. The meaning of the song isn't too cryptic (in fact, it's actually straightforward). At least I hope, because if it isn't, I missed the complete meaning of the song and made an online-fool of myself..? Ha.
I think it's about always thinking something else is going to make you happier, always chasing whatever you think that might be, only to find that you either couldn't find it after all, or that having it wasn't really what you wanted in the first place.
its about how you don't think you'll ever be happy unless you're unhappy and dwelling on what you don't have or what you could have instead of what you do have.
over all, I think it's about finding satisfaction in being miserable. I'm not sure if any of this makes sense to anyone but me, or if I'm right, but this is just my take on it.