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.
could it
be constant variations of a mis-firing heart?
my wishing well is running short and now i know
that all my quarters have been
mistakenly thrown in
im left with nothing except my own pocket linen.
ask the passers-by to stop their stride, "can you
spare me a coin or two even if its just a nickel"?
it will have to do for now
i need the sound
of dreams leaving my hand and my feet leaving the ground
oh why do you
change my point of view?
im so easily amused by you.
and you're
looking code red, this is danger
why have i become such a stranger
even to
even to myself
i should be trying to get sober
oh well, the night is almost over
and i am
i am all alone
the only cloud in the sky
shakes hand with gusts of wind as it flies by
her shared mentions of carefree kites.
un-intentional downward glances.
i keep them ambiguous enough for me to manipulate
into my own equation for answers
never submitted to the multiplication chart
maybe then i could've patched the ceiling with these writings
they might just make themselves worth something someday
and this gram of hope
next to all the other substances i sell,
offering the world a short lived release
and a collar kept a notch too tight
notch too tight
the look is
mistaken
oh please, what are you taking
from me i had to be the turtle.
but the camera chooses where we lay
all the two makes caring days. all the "hey's,"
armored truth makes sewers sweat. we are distant.
you're too artistic for some
you're too artistic for some
oh darling, you're timing is genuine.
looking code red this is danger
why have i become such a stranger
even to
even to myself
i should be trying to get sober
oh well, the night is almost over
and i am
i am all alone
we could play a game of emotional stickball.
i can catch it if you can toss it.
my eyes arent as deep and you should never dive blindly into them,
but until then,
wet your feet.
be constant variations of a mis-firing heart?
my wishing well is running short and now i know
that all my quarters have been
mistakenly thrown in
im left with nothing except my own pocket linen.
ask the passers-by to stop their stride, "can you
spare me a coin or two even if its just a nickel"?
it will have to do for now
i need the sound
of dreams leaving my hand and my feet leaving the ground
oh why do you
change my point of view?
im so easily amused by you.
and you're
looking code red, this is danger
why have i become such a stranger
even to
even to myself
i should be trying to get sober
oh well, the night is almost over
and i am
i am all alone
the only cloud in the sky
shakes hand with gusts of wind as it flies by
her shared mentions of carefree kites.
un-intentional downward glances.
i keep them ambiguous enough for me to manipulate
into my own equation for answers
never submitted to the multiplication chart
maybe then i could've patched the ceiling with these writings
they might just make themselves worth something someday
and this gram of hope
next to all the other substances i sell,
offering the world a short lived release
and a collar kept a notch too tight
notch too tight
the look is
mistaken
oh please, what are you taking
from me i had to be the turtle.
but the camera chooses where we lay
all the two makes caring days. all the "hey's,"
armored truth makes sewers sweat. we are distant.
you're too artistic for some
you're too artistic for some
oh darling, you're timing is genuine.
looking code red this is danger
why have i become such a stranger
even to
even to myself
i should be trying to get sober
oh well, the night is almost over
and i am
i am all alone
we could play a game of emotional stickball.
i can catch it if you can toss it.
my eyes arent as deep and you should never dive blindly into them,
but until then,
wet your feet.
Lyrics submitted by iamthenightstars
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
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
"Fast car" is kind of a continuation of Bruce Springsteen's "Born to Run." It has all the clawing your way to a better life, but in this case the protagonist never makes it with her love; in fact she is dragged back down by him.
There is still an amazing amount of hope and will in the lyrics; and the lyrics themselve rank and easy five. If only music was stronger it would be one of those great radio songs that you hear once a week 20 years after it was released. The imagery is almost tear-jerking ("City lights lay out before us", "Speeds so fast felt like I was drunk"), and the idea of starting from nothing and just driving and working and denigrating yourself for a chance at being just above poverty, then losing in the end is just painful and inspiring at the same time.
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/
Page
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
There aren’t many things that’ll hurt more than giving love a chance against your better judgement only to have your heart crushed yet again. Ed Sheeran tells such a story on “Page.” On this track, he is devastated to have lost his lover and even more saddened by the feeling that he may never move on from this.