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'm living out of a bag
life comes and goes
but i did not know
no use thinking 'bout
what i never had
don't suck for me
because it's letting me free
i'm heading out across the sea
i want the land and you alone with me
so step behind the wheel we'll drive though the gloom
come sit down next to me and we'll try
breath in the fumes that we leave
if i open up the sky you push through the trees
i'm kicking up a storm because i do what i please
to be myself so please yourself
hey if i wanted to hurt you I'd say you've got no clue
but i save that for
people who know
you know the things that we make
are the things that they take
as they try to forsake our lives
i wanted to share it with you but
i'm living out of a bag
life comes and goes but i did not know
no use thinking 'bout what i never had
don't suck for me
because it's letting me free
we're living out of a bag
nothing and no-one held me back
walk out on me but don't run
nothing compares with our lives
kept a rolling stone i've rolled through the dirt
never once been clean i never wanted to hurt
the life around where i am found
but if there's treasures inside
then i can't be relied
not to show the world what can be done
i'll show you how to be free
i'm living out of a bag
life comes and goes but i did not know
no use thinking 'bout what i never had
don't suck for me
because it's letting me free
is it letting me free? is it letting me free?
life comes and goes
but i did not know
no use thinking 'bout
what i never had
don't suck for me
because it's letting me free
i'm heading out across the sea
i want the land and you alone with me
so step behind the wheel we'll drive though the gloom
come sit down next to me and we'll try
breath in the fumes that we leave
if i open up the sky you push through the trees
i'm kicking up a storm because i do what i please
to be myself so please yourself
hey if i wanted to hurt you I'd say you've got no clue
but i save that for
people who know
you know the things that we make
are the things that they take
as they try to forsake our lives
i wanted to share it with you but
i'm living out of a bag
life comes and goes but i did not know
no use thinking 'bout what i never had
don't suck for me
because it's letting me free
we're living out of a bag
nothing and no-one held me back
walk out on me but don't run
nothing compares with our lives
kept a rolling stone i've rolled through the dirt
never once been clean i never wanted to hurt
the life around where i am found
but if there's treasures inside
then i can't be relied
not to show the world what can be done
i'll show you how to be free
i'm living out of a bag
life comes and goes but i did not know
no use thinking 'bout what i never had
don't suck for me
because it's letting me free
is it letting me free? is it letting me free?
Lyrics submitted by gothic_hobbit
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,
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.
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.