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.
Be still for a second while I try and try to pin your flowers on
La, la, la, la, la
Can you carry my drink, I have everything else
I can tie my tie all by myself
I'm getting tied, I'm forgetting why
Oh, we're so disarming, darling, everything we did believe
Is diving, diving, diving, diving off the balcony
Tired and wired, we ruin too easy
Sleep in our clothes and wait for winter to leave
Hold ourselves together
With our arms around the stereo for hours
La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la
While it sings to itself or whatever it does
When it sings to itself of its long lost loves
I'm getting tied, I'm forgetting why
Tired and wired, we ruin too easy
Sleep in our clothes and wait for winter to leave
And I'll be with you, behind the couch
When they come on a different day, just like this one
We'll stay inside till somebody finds us
Do whatever the TV tells us
Stay inside our rosy-minded fuzz for days
We'll stay inside till somebody finds us
Do whatever the TV tells us
Stay inside our rosy-minded fuzz
So worry not, all things are well
We'll be alright, we have our looks and perfume
Stay inside till somebody finds us
Do whatever the TV tells us
Stay inside our rosy-minded fuzz
So worry not, all things are well
We'll be alright, we have our looks and perfume on
La, la, la, la, la
Can you carry my drink, I have everything else
I can tie my tie all by myself
I'm getting tied, I'm forgetting why
Oh, we're so disarming, darling, everything we did believe
Is diving, diving, diving, diving off the balcony
Tired and wired, we ruin too easy
Sleep in our clothes and wait for winter to leave
Hold ourselves together
With our arms around the stereo for hours
La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la
While it sings to itself or whatever it does
When it sings to itself of its long lost loves
I'm getting tied, I'm forgetting why
Tired and wired, we ruin too easy
Sleep in our clothes and wait for winter to leave
And I'll be with you, behind the couch
When they come on a different day, just like this one
We'll stay inside till somebody finds us
Do whatever the TV tells us
Stay inside our rosy-minded fuzz for days
We'll stay inside till somebody finds us
Do whatever the TV tells us
Stay inside our rosy-minded fuzz
So worry not, all things are well
We'll be alright, we have our looks and perfume
Stay inside till somebody finds us
Do whatever the TV tells us
Stay inside our rosy-minded fuzz
So worry not, all things are well
We'll be alright, we have our looks and perfume on
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The thematic centerpiece of 'Boxer' and maybe (along with "Theory of the Crows" and "Bloodbuzz Ohio") the quintessential National song. It's about dressing up and playing adult, looking the part and going through the motions, but ultimately wondering what the hell you're doing and how you got here.
The opening lines set the scene - a guy and his girlfriend trying to get each other ready (pinned flowers, ties) for a grown-up night out, all the while acknowledging the tragedy of the whole charade: "We'll be alright we have our looks and perfume on." That's what their lives have become - looking, smelling, and acting as late-20 early-30 somethings are expected to.
Like "Slow Show", it's about being out in the adult world doing adult things but wanting, at the end of the day, just to come home and do nothing at all ("Hold ourselves together with our arms around the stereo for hours..."), a temporary reprieve (hiding behind the couch until they're forced back into the fold) from the trivial obligations of the real world. They find solace in each other, and their music (which, of course, is timeless), if nothing else.
Also, I always saw "Everything we did believe is diving, diving, diving, diving off the balcony" as a reference to how idealism and naivety (dreams, hopes) go right out the window as the first casualties of the growing-up process. They're watching it happen, but there's nothing they can do about it; that's just life.
Great theme, great lyrics, GREAT drumming, great song.
I wish I could upvote this post mor than once. In my opinion, you nailed it. We often go too far in looking for the meanings of songs, but that's the beauty of music. It can be very personal. <br /> <br /> However, you didn't forget that it's important to consider the body of work--in this case Boxer. It's a coming of age album, highlighting bewilderment with adulthood. <br /> <br /> It's my favorite National album.