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 can't hear what you're saying
Just keep the music playing
It all sounds the same to me
Good God please have mercy
Let's kick the machine till it's working
Everybody's got a great idea
Do you own the one you're encouraging
There's a first time for everything
After that it starts to get confusing
Hold onto your identities loosely
At least the revolution will be amusing
[Chorus]
Word of mouth
This is what everybody's talking about
So you can tell somebody to tell somebody
That the next new thing is the same old thing
We came and we quickly left
We took what we could get
I guess we weren't impressed
We bored ourselves instead
What's after what's next
What's left to get off your chest
Walking in circles retracing steps
How many ways can we package the concept
Mundane it's all the same
Remind me later when nothing's changed
Time will tell let the future explain
Until then we''ve got history to make
Trend-setters real go-getters
Closed-minded free-thinking hipsters
Instant classics adored by critics
It's just music for the kids
Word of mouth
This is what everybody's talking about
So you can tell somebody to tell somebody that
What''s happening has already happened again
Of course you've heard this before
What are you trying to figure out
Too much time on your hands
To analyze what doesn't count
What's wrong with everyday people
They make the best crowd
It was never that important
And the future doesn't care about your
Word of mouth
This is what everybody's talking about
So you can tell somebody to tell somebody
That what's happening has already happened again
[Chorus]
Word of mouth
This is what everybody's talking about
Familiarity breeds content
Are you content like me'
Just keep the music playing
It all sounds the same to me
Good God please have mercy
Let's kick the machine till it's working
Everybody's got a great idea
Do you own the one you're encouraging
There's a first time for everything
After that it starts to get confusing
Hold onto your identities loosely
At least the revolution will be amusing
[Chorus]
Word of mouth
This is what everybody's talking about
So you can tell somebody to tell somebody
That the next new thing is the same old thing
We came and we quickly left
We took what we could get
I guess we weren't impressed
We bored ourselves instead
What's after what's next
What's left to get off your chest
Walking in circles retracing steps
How many ways can we package the concept
Mundane it's all the same
Remind me later when nothing's changed
Time will tell let the future explain
Until then we''ve got history to make
Trend-setters real go-getters
Closed-minded free-thinking hipsters
Instant classics adored by critics
It's just music for the kids
Word of mouth
This is what everybody's talking about
So you can tell somebody to tell somebody that
What''s happening has already happened again
Of course you've heard this before
What are you trying to figure out
Too much time on your hands
To analyze what doesn't count
What's wrong with everyday people
They make the best crowd
It was never that important
And the future doesn't care about your
Word of mouth
This is what everybody's talking about
So you can tell somebody to tell somebody
That what's happening has already happened again
[Chorus]
Word of mouth
This is what everybody's talking about
Familiarity breeds content
Are you content like me'
Lyrics submitted by theyrejustshoes
Word of Mouth Lyrics as written by Seth Alan Earnest John Reuben Zappin
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Capitol CMG Publishing
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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I think dylanagibson is right on. i just watched a TV informercial on the music of the 60's, and they were saying the same things musicians say now. it's all about rebelling against the system and doing what feels right. It's come to the point now that the media (not just music but movies, TV, etc.) is working overtime to package the same concept 40 years later. I love "hold on to your identities loosely". its like, MTV and the whole media has this image they want everyone to copy. right now it's the surfer/skateboarder/dont-really-care-about-rules person. thats why we all wear ripped polo shirts or shirts from a surf shop (even tho we live hundreds of miles from the ocean) and flip flops or dirty blue jeans and skater shoes. but when the media decides to change, we all have to change our identities too. therefore, we hold on to them loosely. John has a video for this, it's on his youtube page, and it is very interesting because he casts himself as the bad guy. Its his way of making a statement i guess. anyways great song. remember - "hold on to your identities loosely" because MTV might change the styles and you'll want to keep up! lol