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.
Shall I tell a tale of love and of jealousy
And of how a mortal found her own destiny
Born a maiden of luminous beauty
And revealed she was a flower so heavenly
But by this admiration I'm doomed you see
The smite of a goddess upon me
Now I'm sent to wed one of dragon-breed
Oh dear Venus I meant no impiety
And so the girl was left alone on a mountaintop
Until with gentle breath Zephyr she to a palace brought
For the fates have dained not Venus's wishes wrought
But instead that those famed arrows would share her heart
We had happiness there but in secrecy
In darkness we loved without need to see
But convinced to unveil his identity
Great winds, betrayed, flew fast away from me
And so she wondered on the land searching far and wide
While he lay sequestered by his indignant mother's side
She prepared to face the implications of her desire
Approached the gates where Habit seized her and made her cry
Oh trouble and sorrow please leave me be
Has your mistress no heart to bid me clemency
I love her most sweetly and fervently
'Tis only of this I am guilty
Then the goddess drug her to a disordered heap of seeds
Commanding before night the sorting task must be complete
The mess of lentils, corn and barley and poppy seeds
Did loom impossible to weary and worn Psyche
I stand overwhelmed with humility
But hark underfoot, earthborn you pity me
Oh nimble nurselings rush to my need
Dear brothers and sisters of humanity
Took each grain by grain
Made piles of the same
The light of nature came to me
Oh Myrmidons oh gentle beasts
I asked you not, still you saved me
Such diligence grant me this lesson teach
Now consciousness have I to keep
But not enough this single victory
Bid she was impossibilities
To collect the golden fleece
The waters from the cruellest peak
And the beauty of Persephone
These three more tasks completed she
Afraid she was but never weak
Then when cast in Stygian sleep
Love flew and roused her from the deep
Oh counsel above, oh Jupiter
You welcome me into your theatre
With this golden goblet of ambrosia
I'll cherish the lessons I've learned from the
Tower and greenery
And the royal bird's great beak
The ants who rescued me
Yes it takes strength to receive
And of how a mortal found her own destiny
Born a maiden of luminous beauty
And revealed she was a flower so heavenly
But by this admiration I'm doomed you see
The smite of a goddess upon me
Now I'm sent to wed one of dragon-breed
Oh dear Venus I meant no impiety
And so the girl was left alone on a mountaintop
Until with gentle breath Zephyr she to a palace brought
For the fates have dained not Venus's wishes wrought
But instead that those famed arrows would share her heart
We had happiness there but in secrecy
In darkness we loved without need to see
But convinced to unveil his identity
Great winds, betrayed, flew fast away from me
And so she wondered on the land searching far and wide
While he lay sequestered by his indignant mother's side
She prepared to face the implications of her desire
Approached the gates where Habit seized her and made her cry
Oh trouble and sorrow please leave me be
Has your mistress no heart to bid me clemency
I love her most sweetly and fervently
'Tis only of this I am guilty
Then the goddess drug her to a disordered heap of seeds
Commanding before night the sorting task must be complete
The mess of lentils, corn and barley and poppy seeds
Did loom impossible to weary and worn Psyche
I stand overwhelmed with humility
But hark underfoot, earthborn you pity me
Oh nimble nurselings rush to my need
Dear brothers and sisters of humanity
Took each grain by grain
Made piles of the same
The light of nature came to me
Oh Myrmidons oh gentle beasts
I asked you not, still you saved me
Such diligence grant me this lesson teach
Now consciousness have I to keep
But not enough this single victory
Bid she was impossibilities
To collect the golden fleece
The waters from the cruellest peak
And the beauty of Persephone
These three more tasks completed she
Afraid she was but never weak
Then when cast in Stygian sleep
Love flew and roused her from the deep
Oh counsel above, oh Jupiter
You welcome me into your theatre
With this golden goblet of ambrosia
I'll cherish the lessons I've learned from the
Tower and greenery
And the royal bird's great beak
The ants who rescued me
Yes it takes strength to receive
Lyrics submitted by 2012ad
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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.
Holiday
Bee Gees
Bee Gees
@[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.
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,
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.