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.
I could've seen it all coming I guess
I'm sleeping out on the couch
You in your half of the bed
And every detail will swim in my mind
The tap of his shoes
The clock clicking the time, oh oh
The tile is cold and the bathroom sink
Will split the days of the week between your father and me
The words burn clmbing up my throat
Craving some better place to go
So this is how every family is
You'll make some dinner then you'll stay with a friend
A black cloud hangs over our house
You're no better, I know you're no better than this
So give up and let it rain down
You're no better, I know you're no better than this
I'm so tired I can hardly make a fist
The whole room is a thirst without a fix
A black cloud hangs over our house
You're no better, I know you're no better than this
So give up and let it rain down
You're no better, I know you're no better
And all your failed attempts are hanging over the edge of your father's fence
And oh, you give up so we can fall down
You're no better, you know you're no better than him
And all of your failed attempts are hanging over the edge of your father's fence
And oh, you give up so we can fall down
You're no better, you know you're no better than him
I'm sleeping out on the couch
You in your half of the bed
And every detail will swim in my mind
The tap of his shoes
The clock clicking the time, oh oh
The tile is cold and the bathroom sink
Will split the days of the week between your father and me
The words burn clmbing up my throat
Craving some better place to go
So this is how every family is
You'll make some dinner then you'll stay with a friend
A black cloud hangs over our house
You're no better, I know you're no better than this
So give up and let it rain down
You're no better, I know you're no better than this
I'm so tired I can hardly make a fist
The whole room is a thirst without a fix
A black cloud hangs over our house
You're no better, I know you're no better than this
So give up and let it rain down
You're no better, I know you're no better
And all your failed attempts are hanging over the edge of your father's fence
And oh, you give up so we can fall down
You're no better, you know you're no better than him
And all of your failed attempts are hanging over the edge of your father's fence
And oh, you give up so we can fall down
You're no better, you know you're no better than him
Lyrics submitted by fedorov1fan
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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,
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“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 actually really like this song. Its honesty is really touching.
On this part: A black cloud hangs over our house... I think it goes: You know better, I know you know better than this So give up and let it rain down You know better, I know you know better than this
As far I hear it, anyway.