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 shoulda known better
Nothing lasts forever
It all started out in a tan Dodge van
Two hundred bucks that we stole from her dad
Out the back of his meth lab
Took the 45, out demand that
Livid Bonnie, 'bout to be a mommy
Came to California with Johnny
They had a run in with the law
She shoulda listened to her ma
And she said we'd be together
(She said)
She used the word 'Forever'
(She said)
Oh, my lovely lover
(She said)
Why had I love to love her?
I, I shoulda known better
Nothing lasts forever, yeah, lasts forever
I shoulda known better
(Ooh, better)
I shoulda known better
(Ooh, better)
I shoulda known
Abortion clinic, I shoulda forced the issue
But she did it with the hanger and some tissue
Don't cry, dry your eye
(She said)
I'll be back on my feet tonight
(She said)
I'll be walking the street tonight
(She said)
'Cause these arms gotta eat tonight
Then we made love like a couple of drunk buffalo
Was I rough enough?
It was the last time I'd ever see her
I'd try to thank her with gonorrhea
But then she split and stole my sweater
Dude, I shoulda known better
I, I shoulda known better
Nothing lasts forever, yeah, lasts forever
Shoulda known better
Shoulda ended in the tan Dodge van
With two hundred dollars worth of partying
But instead I'm sitting on Sunset
Selling my soul for a hit, yeah, what next?
Yeah, I shoulda known better
Nothing lasts forever, yeah, lasts forever
When you said you'd never leave and we'd be together
Nothing lasts forever, nothing ever lasts forever
Shoulda known better
(Ooh, better)
I shoulda known better
(Ooh, better)
I shoulda known better
(Ooh, better)
I shoulda known better
(Ooh, better)
I shoulda known
Nothing lasts forever
It all started out in a tan Dodge van
Two hundred bucks that we stole from her dad
Out the back of his meth lab
Took the 45, out demand that
Livid Bonnie, 'bout to be a mommy
Came to California with Johnny
They had a run in with the law
She shoulda listened to her ma
And she said we'd be together
(She said)
She used the word 'Forever'
(She said)
Oh, my lovely lover
(She said)
Why had I love to love her?
I, I shoulda known better
Nothing lasts forever, yeah, lasts forever
I shoulda known better
(Ooh, better)
I shoulda known better
(Ooh, better)
I shoulda known
Abortion clinic, I shoulda forced the issue
But she did it with the hanger and some tissue
Don't cry, dry your eye
(She said)
I'll be back on my feet tonight
(She said)
I'll be walking the street tonight
(She said)
'Cause these arms gotta eat tonight
Then we made love like a couple of drunk buffalo
Was I rough enough?
It was the last time I'd ever see her
I'd try to thank her with gonorrhea
But then she split and stole my sweater
Dude, I shoulda known better
I, I shoulda known better
Nothing lasts forever, yeah, lasts forever
Shoulda known better
Shoulda ended in the tan Dodge van
With two hundred dollars worth of partying
But instead I'm sitting on Sunset
Selling my soul for a hit, yeah, what next?
Yeah, I shoulda known better
Nothing lasts forever, yeah, lasts forever
When you said you'd never leave and we'd be together
Nothing lasts forever, nothing ever lasts forever
Shoulda known better
(Ooh, better)
I shoulda known better
(Ooh, better)
I shoulda known better
(Ooh, better)
I shoulda known better
(Ooh, better)
I shoulda known
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Standing On The Edge Of Summer
Thursday
Thursday
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/
Blue
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Blue” is a song about a love that is persisting in the discomfort of the person experiencing the emotion. Ed Sheeran reflects on love lost, and although he wishes his former partner find happiness, he cannot but admit his feelings are still very much there. He expresses the realization that he might never find another on this stringed instrumental by Aaron Dessner.
i love this song...
Then we made love, like a couple of drunk buffalo, was I rough enough
quote of the fucking millennium