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’m grateful for these things
These things are grateful for me but
These gifts are plagues
These plagues are candy coated
I only hope it brings
A smile and all the other
Little useless things
But these hands are tied to an arm
And to an eye that won’t abide
I’m not doing that well today
And self control was never my forte
So I call a friend
Jesus with a pager and Mercedes Benz
Cuz there’s a limit to ourselves
And all the games we play
It’s metaphor we use to define our day
It’s only rhythm
It’s only sound
But we’re not accustomed to the tempo
And we find it too loud
And all the time…
CHORUS
You like like a star
And I talk like a fool
I’m delivering idiots and photographs
It makes me look cool
I’m doing much better today
It’s just harder to focus
On the things that I hate
I’m not worried cuz I know
I’ll get my vision back
Then at least I’ll have a weapon
To defend these attacks
If I could only find a filter
For these tricks
Then I could bury the riddles deep
Deep in the mix
It’s not the lines
It’s more the tones
More often it’s the volume
That can make it hit home
It’s not the songs
That determine if the record sells
It’s the faces in the videos
We exploit so well
It’s the push from the whores
In leather chairs
They package our emotions
And they market our fears
It’s nothing to be proud about
I’ve never been one to see writing on walls
Still you call me crazy
Don’t walk on in don’t expect me to listen
Don’t you try to save me
Because I’m too suspicious of long
Explanations that
Make you feel like
You’ve really reached me
I’m changing my ways I believe
Don’t talk about
What happened 14 hours ago
It’s ok if you smile
But please
These things are grateful for me but
These gifts are plagues
These plagues are candy coated
I only hope it brings
A smile and all the other
Little useless things
But these hands are tied to an arm
And to an eye that won’t abide
I’m not doing that well today
And self control was never my forte
So I call a friend
Jesus with a pager and Mercedes Benz
Cuz there’s a limit to ourselves
And all the games we play
It’s metaphor we use to define our day
It’s only rhythm
It’s only sound
But we’re not accustomed to the tempo
And we find it too loud
And all the time…
CHORUS
You like like a star
And I talk like a fool
I’m delivering idiots and photographs
It makes me look cool
I’m doing much better today
It’s just harder to focus
On the things that I hate
I’m not worried cuz I know
I’ll get my vision back
Then at least I’ll have a weapon
To defend these attacks
If I could only find a filter
For these tricks
Then I could bury the riddles deep
Deep in the mix
It’s not the lines
It’s more the tones
More often it’s the volume
That can make it hit home
It’s not the songs
That determine if the record sells
It’s the faces in the videos
We exploit so well
It’s the push from the whores
In leather chairs
They package our emotions
And they market our fears
It’s nothing to be proud about
I’ve never been one to see writing on walls
Still you call me crazy
Don’t walk on in don’t expect me to listen
Don’t you try to save me
Because I’m too suspicious of long
Explanations that
Make you feel like
You’ve really reached me
I’m changing my ways I believe
Don’t talk about
What happened 14 hours ago
It’s ok if you smile
But please
Lyrics submitted by Horns180
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.
Dreamwalker
Silent Planet
Silent Planet
I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
I Can't Go To Sleep
Wu-Tang Clan
Wu-Tang Clan
This song is written as the perspective of the boys in the street, as a whole, and what path they are going to choose as they get older and grow into men. (This is why the music video takes place in an orphanage.) The seen, and unseen collective suffering is imbedded in the boys’ mind, consciously or subconsciously, and is haunting them. Which path will the boys choose? Issac Hayes is the voice of reason, maybe God, the angel on his shoulder, or the voice of his forefathers from beyond the grave who can see the big picture and are pleading with the boys not to continue the violence and pattern of killing their brothers, but to rise above. The most beautiful song and has so many levels. Racism towards African Americans in America would not exist if everyone sat down and listened to this song and understood the history behind the words. The power, fear, pleading in RZA and Ghostface voices are genuine and powerful. Issac Hayes’ strong voice makes the perfect strong father figure, who is possibly from beyond the grave.
American Town
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran shares a short story of reconnecting with an old flame on “American Town.” The track is about a holiday Ed Sheeran spends with his countrywoman who resides in America. The two are back together after a long period apart, and get around to enjoying a bunch of fun activities while rekindling the flames of their romance.
to me this song is, for the majority on how much of an obsessive nature we as society have on what is "celebtrety." as much as i hate how much society puts these people (who for the most part dont do anything to help make things better) on a pedistill.