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 know you had a fucked up life
Growing up in a stupid town
Your mother was a mixed up jerk,
And your father he just fucked around
A little too much for his own good
I'll kill the bastard if I could
I'll kill all the boys with their fucked-up noise
And all the bullshit they seem to enjoy
The kids at school
Called you slut
Nothing but
What the fuck are they into
The stupid fools
Losers assholes suck all the luck
Out of the world the world for you
If I can get it back to you I will,
And kick their asses all over town
All over town I'll turn it over
I don't even know you that well
What the hell, summer spell
What's it like
Going out
And no one knows what you're about
Abused and used and cut in two
By hollow men with nothing to do
Laugh all the time try to get high
Try to hide behind no lie
They fucked your head up
That's for sure
Your heart is ripped now wrapped in fur
But you know that sex is pretty insane
And magic seems to kill the pain
And the things that go on inside your brain
Make you seem to think that you're to blame
Don't think about it, throw it out
Love 'em all and say it loud
Fight the scumbags that slap you around
Scream your crazy lost and found
We don't have to tell you what is right
We have all the faith it was not right
Sadness is and sadness was,
And sadness will always be because
Comfort comes around from the strangest of men
I got no time for sad songs, baby
Don't need you to say I'm crazy
Stick your tongue and you look at me
And I will bite it off you see
Push you down onto your knees
Do you laugh away the sleaze
You're not the only girl in town
But you're the only one that's got me down
Psychic hearts go out to you
A psychic heart go right to you
My prayer to you
Is that you do all the things you set out to do
Live your life the way you love
But will you remember one thing for me
I will always love you
I will always love you
Growing up in a stupid town
Your mother was a mixed up jerk,
And your father he just fucked around
A little too much for his own good
I'll kill the bastard if I could
I'll kill all the boys with their fucked-up noise
And all the bullshit they seem to enjoy
The kids at school
Called you slut
Nothing but
What the fuck are they into
The stupid fools
Losers assholes suck all the luck
Out of the world the world for you
If I can get it back to you I will,
And kick their asses all over town
All over town I'll turn it over
I don't even know you that well
What the hell, summer spell
What's it like
Going out
And no one knows what you're about
Abused and used and cut in two
By hollow men with nothing to do
Laugh all the time try to get high
Try to hide behind no lie
They fucked your head up
That's for sure
Your heart is ripped now wrapped in fur
But you know that sex is pretty insane
And magic seems to kill the pain
And the things that go on inside your brain
Make you seem to think that you're to blame
Don't think about it, throw it out
Love 'em all and say it loud
Fight the scumbags that slap you around
Scream your crazy lost and found
We don't have to tell you what is right
We have all the faith it was not right
Sadness is and sadness was,
And sadness will always be because
Comfort comes around from the strangest of men
I got no time for sad songs, baby
Don't need you to say I'm crazy
Stick your tongue and you look at me
And I will bite it off you see
Push you down onto your knees
Do you laugh away the sleaze
You're not the only girl in town
But you're the only one that's got me down
Psychic hearts go out to you
A psychic heart go right to you
My prayer to you
Is that you do all the things you set out to do
Live your life the way you love
But will you remember one thing for me
I will always love you
I will always love you
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Standing On The Edge Of Summer
Thursday
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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,
No Surprises
Radiohead
Radiohead
Same ideas expressed in Fitter, Happier are expressed in this song. We're told to strive for some sort of ideal life, which includes getting a good job, being kind to everyone, finding a partner, getting married, having a couple kids, living in a quiet neighborhood in a nice big house, etc. But in Fitter, Happier the narrator(?) realizes that it's incredibly robotic to live this life. People are being used by those in power "like a pig in a cage on antibiotics"--being pacified with things like new phones and cool gadgets and houses while being sucked dry. On No Surprises, the narrator is realizing how this life is killing him slowly. In the video, his helmet is slowly filling up with water, drowning him. But he's so complacent with it. This is a good summary of the song. This boring, "perfect" life foisted upon us by some higher powers (not spiritual, but political, economic, etc. politicians and businessmen, perhaps) is not the way to live. But there is seemingly no way out but death. He'd rather die peacefully right now than live in this cage. While our lives are often shielded, we're in our own protective bubbles, or protective helmets like the one Thom wears, if we look a little harder we can see all the corruption, lies, manipulation, etc. that is going on in the world, often run by huge yet nearly invisible organizations, corporations, and 'leaders'. It's a very hopeless song because it reflects real life.
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.
this song is so perfect for me. my gf is exactly like the girl in this song