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.
'Cause it's not the cold
Making my, making my legs shake
It's Timmy's ghost
Taking his, taking his place in our hearts forever
'Cause it's not the sound
Keeping me, keeping me from sleep
It's what Jesus said, it's what Jesus said
Said about the hell underneath
I think I'd rather believe it's some imaginary place
Made up to make children behave
So our souls are safe to wander off wherever they might please
Your soul is safe wherever you might be
Come now, sleep
Come now, sleep
Tell me I'm only dreaming, tell me he's just sleeping
When morning comes, we'll both wake up to the sun
And tell me I'm only dreaming, tell me he's just sleeping
When morning comes, we'll both wake up to the sun
And love that's enough to keep our friends alive
Phone call, I pull my car to the side of the road
No, it's not the cold that's making my legs shake
It's someone I love being taken away
A ghost is taking his place in our hearts, in our hearts
Where inside he moves from room to room
But sometimes he climbs our spines
To remind our grieving heads
That in this way he hasn't left
Tell me I'm only dreaming, tell me he's just sleeping
When morning comes, we'll both wake up to the sun
And tell me I'm only dreaming, tell me he's just sleeping
When morning comes, we'll both wake up to the sun
And love that's enough to keep our friends alive
But love is enough to keep our friends alive
But take me back to where I was before, I was born
It's life, sweet and dreamlessly, it sounds like heaven to me
Making my, making my legs shake
It's Timmy's ghost
Taking his, taking his place in our hearts forever
'Cause it's not the sound
Keeping me, keeping me from sleep
It's what Jesus said, it's what Jesus said
Said about the hell underneath
I think I'd rather believe it's some imaginary place
Made up to make children behave
So our souls are safe to wander off wherever they might please
Your soul is safe wherever you might be
Come now, sleep
Come now, sleep
Tell me I'm only dreaming, tell me he's just sleeping
When morning comes, we'll both wake up to the sun
And tell me I'm only dreaming, tell me he's just sleeping
When morning comes, we'll both wake up to the sun
And love that's enough to keep our friends alive
Phone call, I pull my car to the side of the road
No, it's not the cold that's making my legs shake
It's someone I love being taken away
A ghost is taking his place in our hearts, in our hearts
Where inside he moves from room to room
But sometimes he climbs our spines
To remind our grieving heads
That in this way he hasn't left
Tell me I'm only dreaming, tell me he's just sleeping
When morning comes, we'll both wake up to the sun
And tell me I'm only dreaming, tell me he's just sleeping
When morning comes, we'll both wake up to the sun
And love that's enough to keep our friends alive
But love is enough to keep our friends alive
But take me back to where I was before, I was born
It's life, sweet and dreamlessly, it sounds like heaven to me
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
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,
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.
Amazing
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran tells a story of unsuccessfully trying to feel “Amazing.” This track is about the being weighed down by emotional stress despite valiant attempts to find some positivity in the situation. This track was written by Ed Sheeran from the perspective of his friend. From the track, we see this person fall deeper into the negative thoughts and slide further down the path of mental torment with every lyric.
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.
You're a real champion, Faballion.