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.
8th grade Winter Break,
'Cause I studied hard,
My parents broke down and bought me a guitar.
I turned it up high,
I strapped it on low,
Taped your picture to the mirror, baby,
And I struck a pose.
Cafeteria,
I sent you a note,
"Yes or No, Circle one"
You wrote "maybe so"
Well, it's on to Plan B,
'cause Plan A went all wrong,
laid the phone on the bed and I sang you my first song.
In a late night telephone serenade.
I'm letting my heart roll right off my sleeve,
And onto an empty sheet of looseleaf.
I'm sure there'll be more,
But this first one's for you,
So go ahead this is where you shoot me down
I got a simple melody,
Clich sounding words,
For added effect I put your name in each verse.
Don't ask what its called I haven't named it just yet,
But if you like I'll put it down on cassette.
Would you a like a recess serenade?
I'm letting my heart roll right off my sleeve,
And onto an empty sheet of looseleaf.
I'm sure there'll be more,
But this first one's for you,
So go ahead this is where you shoot me down
And I really don't care how silly this all sounds,
'Cause I know I'm gonna make mistakes the first time around.
So I better write this down.
I'm letting my heart roll right off my sleeve,
And onto an empty sheet of looseleaf.
I'm sure there'll be more,
But this first one's for you,
So go ahead this is where you shoot me down
8th grade Valentine's,
I'm way over you.
Took your picture off the mirror, baby
And started song two.
'Cause I studied hard,
My parents broke down and bought me a guitar.
I turned it up high,
I strapped it on low,
Taped your picture to the mirror, baby,
And I struck a pose.
Cafeteria,
I sent you a note,
"Yes or No, Circle one"
You wrote "maybe so"
Well, it's on to Plan B,
'cause Plan A went all wrong,
laid the phone on the bed and I sang you my first song.
In a late night telephone serenade.
I'm letting my heart roll right off my sleeve,
And onto an empty sheet of looseleaf.
I'm sure there'll be more,
But this first one's for you,
So go ahead this is where you shoot me down
I got a simple melody,
Clich sounding words,
For added effect I put your name in each verse.
Don't ask what its called I haven't named it just yet,
But if you like I'll put it down on cassette.
Would you a like a recess serenade?
I'm letting my heart roll right off my sleeve,
And onto an empty sheet of looseleaf.
I'm sure there'll be more,
But this first one's for you,
So go ahead this is where you shoot me down
And I really don't care how silly this all sounds,
'Cause I know I'm gonna make mistakes the first time around.
So I better write this down.
I'm letting my heart roll right off my sleeve,
And onto an empty sheet of looseleaf.
I'm sure there'll be more,
But this first one's for you,
So go ahead this is where you shoot me down
8th grade Valentine's,
I'm way over you.
Took your picture off the mirror, baby
And started song two.
Lyrics submitted by lurtzz
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