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.
Now I can sing you the storyline
And if you like my story fine
But ain't none of the glory mine
See my life was a lonely one
And I was still Momma's only son
With no idea what I'm gon' become
And I didn't have long to know
That you don't have to be grown to go
I could have died so long befo'
Then I finally saw the sign
And I made it on down the line
One step at a time
I feel better!
I can smile at it now, I feel better
Oh, better!
And even a little is still better
Oh, have mercy on me
Oh it's probably plain to see
That I got a whole lot of pain in me
And it will always remain in me
So cold, it's a cryin' shame
Yet here I am, tryin' again
Cause I refuse to die in vain
The circumstances put soul in me
And there ain't no holdin' me
I've got a heart made of gold in me
Ha, can you believe this is where I've been?
And when adversity comes again
I'll deal with it then
I feel better! I can laugh at it now, I feel better, heh heh
Oh, better!
And even a little is still better
Oh, have mercy on me-he
Ah-ah-hah-ah yeah
Mmm, oh-oh-oh!
I said everything's fine, you can take your time
What would be on your mind, if you knew you was dyin'
I would wanna just feel this ah-one more time
I said everything's fine, take yo' time
What would be on your mind, if you knew you was dyin'
I would wanna just feel this ah-one more time
I wanna thank you morning sun
I wanna thank you lowly dirt
Now I know I'm not the only one
I, I wanna thank you friendly ghost
When all the calls were close
It seems like you cared the most
I, I wanna thank you Mom and Dad
For hurtin' me so bad
But you're the best I ever had
I, I wanna thank you
And if you like my story fine
But ain't none of the glory mine
See my life was a lonely one
And I was still Momma's only son
With no idea what I'm gon' become
And I didn't have long to know
That you don't have to be grown to go
I could have died so long befo'
Then I finally saw the sign
And I made it on down the line
One step at a time
I feel better!
I can smile at it now, I feel better
Oh, better!
And even a little is still better
Oh, have mercy on me
Oh it's probably plain to see
That I got a whole lot of pain in me
And it will always remain in me
So cold, it's a cryin' shame
Yet here I am, tryin' again
Cause I refuse to die in vain
The circumstances put soul in me
And there ain't no holdin' me
I've got a heart made of gold in me
Ha, can you believe this is where I've been?
And when adversity comes again
I'll deal with it then
I feel better! I can laugh at it now, I feel better, heh heh
Oh, better!
And even a little is still better
Oh, have mercy on me-he
Ah-ah-hah-ah yeah
Mmm, oh-oh-oh!
I said everything's fine, you can take your time
What would be on your mind, if you knew you was dyin'
I would wanna just feel this ah-one more time
I said everything's fine, take yo' time
What would be on your mind, if you knew you was dyin'
I would wanna just feel this ah-one more time
I wanna thank you morning sun
I wanna thank you lowly dirt
Now I know I'm not the only one
I, I wanna thank you friendly ghost
When all the calls were close
It seems like you cared the most
I, I wanna thank you Mom and Dad
For hurtin' me so bad
But you're the best I ever had
I, I wanna thank you
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Standing On The Edge Of Summer
Thursday
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Bee Gees
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@[Diderik:33655] "Your a holiday!" Was a popular term used in the 50s/60s to compliment someone on their all around. For example, not only are they beautiful, but they are fun and kind too ... just an all around "holiday".
I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
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.
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.
Page
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
There aren’t many things that’ll hurt more than giving love a chance against your better judgement only to have your heart crushed yet again. Ed Sheeran tells such a story on “Page.” On this track, he is devastated to have lost his lover and even more saddened by the feeling that he may never move on from this.
This whole album is about a descent into madness and this is the last song. Think about the hit song, "Crazy." This is the aftermath (or maybe the prequel). There seem to be a lot of drug references (Run) and suicide references (surprise, would be killer) throughout the album-- loneliness and turning to drugs. This song seems to be the last moments before death. Making peace with everyone, saying goodbyes (Thank you mom and dad, for hurting me so bad, but you're the best I ever had). Its a little better because there's an escape, ending life and going back to the lowely dirt and the sun.
Or it could be about drugs again. Getting high one more time (What would be on your mind if you knew you was dying? I would wanna just feel this one more time). Also "refuse to die in vein" not "vain."
Or it could just be a happy ending. After all the loneliness, everything is a just little better, one step at a time. But that makes no sense with the rest of the album. No song transitions into happiness. "Neighbor" the song before this, is about trying to make a new friend but they never came back, so the loneliness returns. There's not a happy ending to this tale.
So basically, I think it's about dying, about looking back on the pain in life and knowing that it can't hurt you anymore. Have mercy.