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've been most unwilling
To see this turmoil of mine
The thought of sitting with this
Has me paralyzed
With this prolonged exposure
To mirror and averted eyes
I've feigned that I've been waiting
Such mileage for empathizing
Now I see the madness in me
Is brought out in the presence of you
Now I know the madness lives on
When you're not in the room
And though I'd love to blame you for
I'd miss these moments of opportune
You've simply brought this madness to light
And I should thank you
Oh, thank you, much thanks for this bird's eye view
Oh, thank you for your most generous triggers
It's been all too easy
To cross my arms and roll my eyes
The thought of dropping all arms
Leaves me terrified
And now I see the madness in me
Is brought out in the presence of you
Now I know the madness lives on
When you're not in the room
And though I'd love to blame you for
I'd miss these moments of opportune
You simply brought this madness to light
And I should thank you
Oh, thank you, much thanks for this bird's eye view
Oh, thank you for your most generous triggers
I'd have to give up knowing
And give up being right
You inadvertent hero
You angel in disguise
Now I see the madness in me
Is brought out in the presence of you
And now I know the madness lives on
When you're not in the room
And Though I'd love to blame you for all
I miss these moments of opportune
You've simply brought this madness to light
And I should thank you
Oh, thank you, much thanks for this bird's eye view
Oh, thank you for your most generous triggers
To see this turmoil of mine
The thought of sitting with this
Has me paralyzed
With this prolonged exposure
To mirror and averted eyes
I've feigned that I've been waiting
Such mileage for empathizing
Now I see the madness in me
Is brought out in the presence of you
Now I know the madness lives on
When you're not in the room
And though I'd love to blame you for
I'd miss these moments of opportune
You've simply brought this madness to light
And I should thank you
Oh, thank you, much thanks for this bird's eye view
Oh, thank you for your most generous triggers
It's been all too easy
To cross my arms and roll my eyes
The thought of dropping all arms
Leaves me terrified
And now I see the madness in me
Is brought out in the presence of you
Now I know the madness lives on
When you're not in the room
And though I'd love to blame you for
I'd miss these moments of opportune
You simply brought this madness to light
And I should thank you
Oh, thank you, much thanks for this bird's eye view
Oh, thank you for your most generous triggers
I'd have to give up knowing
And give up being right
You inadvertent hero
You angel in disguise
Now I see the madness in me
Is brought out in the presence of you
And now I know the madness lives on
When you're not in the room
And Though I'd love to blame you for all
I miss these moments of opportune
You've simply brought this madness to light
And I should thank you
Oh, thank you, much thanks for this bird's eye view
Oh, thank you for your most generous triggers
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
Son Şansın - Şarkı Sözleri
Hayalperest
Hayalperest
This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere.
In general, it highlights the danger of hidden agendas, manipulation, and distraction, serving as a critique of those who exploit chaos and confusion to control and gain power, depicting a cautionary tale against falling into their traps. It encourages us to question the narratives presented to us and remain vigilant against manipulation in various parts of society.
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.
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.
Plastic Bag
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Plastic Bag” is a song about searching for an escape from personal problems and hoping to find it in the lively atmosphere of a Saturday night party. Ed Sheeran tells the story of his friend and the myriad of troubles he is going through. Unable to find any solutions, this friend seeks a last resort in a party and the vanity that comes with it.
“I overthink and have trouble sleepin’ / All purpose gone and don’t have a reason / And there’s no doctor to stop this bleedin’ / So I left home and jumped in the deep end,” Ed Sheeran sings in verse one. He continues by adding that this person is feeling the weight of having disappointed his father and doesn’t have any friends to rely on in this difficult moment. In the second verse, Ed sings about the role of grief in his friend’s plight and his dwindling faith in prayer. “Saturday night is givin’ me a reason to rely on the strobe lights / The lifeline of a promise in a shot glass, and I’ll take that / If you’re givin’ out love from a plastic bag,” Ed sings on the chorus, as his friend turns to new vices in hopes of feeling better.
my fav song off the new album
It's so beautiful.. I was sitting with my boyfriend the other day and we were talking about my future. I have no clue whatsoever as to what I want to do with my life, and he was telling me quite roughly that I need to step up and take some responsibility for myself. I was pissed and I really didn't think he understood me and my problems. But this song really made me realize that it's madness how I'm not even thinking about what the future should bring... and that what he's saying is right. So, thank you for telling me, love. :)
I adore this song. Such a contrast compared to the rest of the songs on the album. This is Alanis realizing that her uncontrollable emotions can now be controlled because she understands where they come from and what can trigger them. It's like coming face to face with an addiction- you cant change without acknowledging your problem and finding the root cause. Alanis thought the madness was because of him, that it was something he would do or say to bring it on. But has come face to face with the reality that it was in her all along. So she thanks him for revealing the triggers and thus allowing her to manage her madness.
After hearing it for the 5667787th time today, I just wanted to add that she has learned more about herself now that he's gone and she thanks him for opening up her eyes and exposing her to herself.
I always saw the chorus as a sarcastic "fuck you" to the boyfriend that makes her act this way. I never thought she was actually saying thank you.
Not sarcastic at all. It's all about calling herself on her shit instead of pointing the finger and getting to the root of her suffering in relationships. I think it has a lot to do with some sort of emotional manipulation that she does that she hadn't even noticed until that man rubbed it on her face and made her see how she fools herself and tricks herself and tries to trick her partner too.
@aemitt her thanks are quite honest, actually. She is truly saying how grateful she is for being able to see where this madness comes from, thanks to them, who she used to blame for her own problems.
I've just realised this is completely about a situation I'm in with my current partner. I'm always blaming him for making me feel controlling and manipulative, believing he's the cause of my jealousy when it actually comes from myself. I'd be the same with any other partner, it's not about him. What he does is to bring this madness to light. He gives me the most generous triggers, for with this I have now an opportunity to face my flaws and admit that I have to work my problems (the thought of dropping all arms leaves me terrified). Those feelings leave me with physical pain. I couldn't see how much they affect me... If it weren't for him, I would still be blaming someone else, so I should thank him.