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 seeking shelter
from the rain of chilly Allston
I had a thought come to my brain and then I lost one
I caught the sun
while he was hiding from the angels
And ripped my fingers
through my hair
to free the tangles
every angle
There's more than bones
that have been shattered
on this asphalt
The speed picks up
but then the wind invites
a curtain call
The wheels were spinning
always winning with the water
My bike and I know where to go
and what we're after
Every chapter
Anarchy on the freeway
no ones gonna tell you how to drive
no not this time
rubbing up on the speedway
no ones gonna stop you
from melting tires
Well your moments
from the height it of
but only seconds from the fall
And if you had only tasted it
then you wouldn't want it all
But you look both ways and you're heading straight
So what makes you loose control
The lights are red
you're only skimming to the center
You didn't mean to tease
the savage street tormentor
But now you're bruises
and your smile's no vacation
You took a dive
because your life ain't limitation
Last sensation
Rapidly moving
the speed is soothing
But you said you want maximum
Your skin was crawling
it was appalling
That you were enthralled
by the crash and numb
from the rain of chilly Allston
I had a thought come to my brain and then I lost one
I caught the sun
while he was hiding from the angels
And ripped my fingers
through my hair
to free the tangles
every angle
There's more than bones
that have been shattered
on this asphalt
The speed picks up
but then the wind invites
a curtain call
The wheels were spinning
always winning with the water
My bike and I know where to go
and what we're after
Every chapter
Anarchy on the freeway
no ones gonna tell you how to drive
no not this time
rubbing up on the speedway
no ones gonna stop you
from melting tires
Well your moments
from the height it of
but only seconds from the fall
And if you had only tasted it
then you wouldn't want it all
But you look both ways and you're heading straight
So what makes you loose control
The lights are red
you're only skimming to the center
You didn't mean to tease
the savage street tormentor
But now you're bruises
and your smile's no vacation
You took a dive
because your life ain't limitation
Last sensation
Rapidly moving
the speed is soothing
But you said you want maximum
Your skin was crawling
it was appalling
That you were enthralled
by the crash and numb
Lyrics submitted by JimmieNeverDies
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
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
"Fast car" is kind of a continuation of Bruce Springsteen's "Born to Run." It has all the clawing your way to a better life, but in this case the protagonist never makes it with her love; in fact she is dragged back down by him.
There is still an amazing amount of hope and will in the lyrics; and the lyrics themselve rank and easy five. If only music was stronger it would be one of those great radio songs that you hear once a week 20 years after it was released. The imagery is almost tear-jerking ("City lights lay out before us", "Speeds so fast felt like I was drunk"), and the idea of starting from nothing and just driving and working and denigrating yourself for a chance at being just above poverty, then losing in the end is just painful and inspiring at the same time.
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.
When We Were Young
Blink-182
Blink-182
This is a sequel to 2001's "Reckless Abandon", and features the band looking back on their clumsy youth fondly.
Punchline
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran sings about missing his former partner and learning important life lessons in the process on “Punchline.” This track tells a story of battling to get rid of emotions for a former lover, whom he now realized might not have loved him the same way. He’s now caught between accepting that fact and learning life lessons from it and going back to beg her for another chance.