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.
They're almost falling over you
Why don't they call a truce?
Whatever they are trying to do
It's of little use
They're drowning you in compliments
Trying to furnish proof
And though they speak with eloquence
There is little truth
You're bright, you're strong, you know your right from wrong
At least to some degree
You're wise, you're tough, you've heard their lies enough
You smile in sympathy
I'm watching your serenity
The way your soul transcends
The tedious absurdities
Your patience never ends
And as the night begins to fade
You're heading for the door
And followed by a sad parade
Your on your own once more
You're bright, you're strong, you know your right from wrong
At least to some degree
You're wise, you're tough, you've heard their lies enough
You smile in sympathy
You're bright, you're strong, you know your right from wrong
At least to some degree
You're wise, you're tough, you've heard their lies enough
You smile in sympathy
Why don't they call a truce?
Whatever they are trying to do
It's of little use
They're drowning you in compliments
Trying to furnish proof
And though they speak with eloquence
There is little truth
You're bright, you're strong, you know your right from wrong
At least to some degree
You're wise, you're tough, you've heard their lies enough
You smile in sympathy
I'm watching your serenity
The way your soul transcends
The tedious absurdities
Your patience never ends
And as the night begins to fade
You're heading for the door
And followed by a sad parade
Your on your own once more
You're bright, you're strong, you know your right from wrong
At least to some degree
You're wise, you're tough, you've heard their lies enough
You smile in sympathy
You're bright, you're strong, you know your right from wrong
At least to some degree
You're wise, you're tough, you've heard their lies enough
You smile in sympathy
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Standing On The Edge Of Summer
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Fast Car
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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.
Dreamwalker
Silent Planet
Silent Planet
I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
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.
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.
I think, this song is about personal growth: Feeling yourself and standing above it all. In my mind comes the picture of a person who was manipulated a lot in the past and finally learned to break free and to derive self worth from within, not the acknowledgment of others. Another interpretation could be that the lyrics are about everyday sexism and how a woman learned to deal with it and stand above it all.
"They’re almost falling over you Why don’t they call a truce Whatever they are trying to do It’s of little use
They’re drowning you in compliments Trying to furnish proof And though they speak with eloquence There is little truth"
The lyrical subject gets a lot of attention and false compliments by people, who pretend to be friends, but it's more appearance than substance. S/he doesn't buy what the say, s/he knows of their insincerity.
"You’re bright You’re strong You know your right from wrong At least to some degree You’re wise You’re tough You’ve heard their lies enough You smile in sympathy
I’m watching your serenity The way your soul transcends Their tedious obscenities Your patience never ends"
Here it gets clear that the lyrical subject learned his/her lesson and is calm and above it all. S/he is bored by their feigned admiration and attempts of manipulation.
"And as the night begins to fade You’re heading for the door Followed by a sad parade You’re on your own once more"
When all the people are gone who pretend to be supportive but want to take advantage of his/her, s/he is alone again - but it's still better than to fall for their lies. It ends with the chorus, so the song is still empowering and positive - with a slight sad touch.