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.
Do I want this
Liquid courage pouring down,
Sober surface hits the ground,
The masquerade has started now,
And you have faded into the crowd
How do you know?
How do you know
Just who your friends are?
How do you know
When you've gone too far
To get high again?
You always feel so alone,
The real you is never shown.
Whose influence,
Whose influence are you under?
So much pressure to fit in,
You never know where to begin.
Whose influence,
Whose influence are you under now?
Liquid courage pouring down,
Sober surface can't be found,
There's no denial you can drown,
But nothing's final so turn around
How do you know?
How do you know
Just who your friends are?
How do you know
When you've gone too far
To get high again?
You always feel so alone,
The real you is never shown.
Whose influence,
Whose influence are you under now?
So much pressure to fit in,
You never know where to begin.
Whose influence,
Whose influence are you under now?
I want this
Do I want this?
I want this
I want this
Do I want this?
Do I want this?
I want this
I want this
Do I want this?
How do you know?
How do you know
Just who your friends are?
How do you know
When you've gone too far?
You always feel so alone,
The real you is never shown.
Whose influence,
Whose influence are you under now?
So much pressure to fit in,
You never know where to begin.
Whose influence,
Whose influence are you under now?
Whose influence,
Whose influence, whose influence
Are you under now?
Liquid courage pouring down,
Sober surface hits the ground,
The masquerade has started now,
And you have faded into the crowd
How do you know?
How do you know
Just who your friends are?
How do you know
When you've gone too far
To get high again?
You always feel so alone,
The real you is never shown.
Whose influence,
Whose influence are you under?
So much pressure to fit in,
You never know where to begin.
Whose influence,
Whose influence are you under now?
Liquid courage pouring down,
Sober surface can't be found,
There's no denial you can drown,
But nothing's final so turn around
How do you know?
How do you know
Just who your friends are?
How do you know
When you've gone too far
To get high again?
You always feel so alone,
The real you is never shown.
Whose influence,
Whose influence are you under now?
So much pressure to fit in,
You never know where to begin.
Whose influence,
Whose influence are you under now?
I want this
Do I want this?
I want this
I want this
Do I want this?
Do I want this?
I want this
I want this
Do I want this?
How do you know?
How do you know
Just who your friends are?
How do you know
When you've gone too far?
You always feel so alone,
The real you is never shown.
Whose influence,
Whose influence are you under now?
So much pressure to fit in,
You never know where to begin.
Whose influence,
Whose influence are you under now?
Whose influence,
Whose influence, whose influence
Are you under now?
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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'
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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/
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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.
He's asking a person that is on there way to alcoholism, by pressure and other influences, questions.
This has to do with addiction, and the paranoia that is caused by the addicted. He feels insecure about himself and feels all is against him. hes searching for help but cant seem to find someone close enough to him to make the difference to quit.
At first I didn't think that much of the song, but the riff component of it grew on me extremely quickly. The "how do you know" bridge was also pretty memorable.
I really, really came to like the verse before the last bridge, where the last "Do I want this?" fades into an echo with the totally awesome riff. Genius.
It's obviously concerning the abuse of some influence, addiction, etc. It has all the signs of some substance abuse and a yearning to escape.
To think that I almost missed out on this album.
This is a song about someone who is being controlled by their addiction to --specifically-- alcohol. It tells the story of someone who has become depressed, hanging with the wrong crowd, fakes for friends, and all these people trying to get you back to reality.
I don't think this song is about alclohol or addiction. I think it's about being a teenager and all the pressure you face to fit in.
all of you are pretty right, IMO. it's about being a teenager, and the peer pressure of doing all that crap..like drugs, drinking, sex, etc. and doing it to try and fit in with your so-called friends
loveeeeeeeee Trapt
This song, aside from Animal I Have Become by 3DG is my theme song. Trapt is the best band in the world, and Chris's lyrics always make me feel like he was in my mind when he wrote them. I admit, the music could have been better, even though it is excellent, it's not their best work and I expect more of them, cause they are the best band, but the lyrics are sooo awesome. I love this song. I'ts definately about the pressures of everyday life growing up. You know, going through High School and college, having the pressures of drugs and crap. I also think its about finding out who your true friends are.