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.
Pick me up, hose me down
I'm sorry boys about the dirty night clowns
The Earth does break the things that we make
Like a model planes and cuppy cakes
I can't clear the leaves from here
They're too far under the brush this year
I can't clear the leaves from here
They're too far under the brush this year
Let them be buried, buried alive
In their suits, in their ties
Trees to shade the moves that they made
In their suits, in their ties
Let them be buried, buried alive
In their suits, in their ties
You're safe here, now you're in the clear
Now we'll eat soup and apple pies
I can't clear the leaves from here
They're too far under the brush this year
I can't clear the leaves from here
They're too far under the brush this year
I will never be
Dirt-free
Up the stairs come find me
Come sneak up behind me
I'll be sleeping soundly
Like a baby
I can't clear the leaves from here
They're too far under the brush this year
I'm sorry boys about the dirty night clowns
The Earth does break the things that we make
Like a model planes and cuppy cakes
I can't clear the leaves from here
They're too far under the brush this year
I can't clear the leaves from here
They're too far under the brush this year
Let them be buried, buried alive
In their suits, in their ties
Trees to shade the moves that they made
In their suits, in their ties
Let them be buried, buried alive
In their suits, in their ties
You're safe here, now you're in the clear
Now we'll eat soup and apple pies
I can't clear the leaves from here
They're too far under the brush this year
I can't clear the leaves from here
They're too far under the brush this year
I will never be
Dirt-free
Up the stairs come find me
Come sneak up behind me
I'll be sleeping soundly
Like a baby
I can't clear the leaves from here
They're too far under the brush this year
Lyrics submitted by e__noir, edited by Spongeekat, gamzee, inuyasha22, whips94, AutyoFaygo, Hetaliaa, darkness33, ArtloverToby, jillybean17, polar2112, TanukiSensei, Zyenicat, scribyuniverse, super10439, Fayiirah, Equius Zahhak, exoislife, UserB, asdffdsaasdf, TheRealShrek, mushroomie
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More Featured Meanings
Dreamwalker
Silent Planet
Silent Planet
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.
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.
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.
American Town
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran shares a short story of reconnecting with an old flame on “American Town.” The track is about a holiday Ed Sheeran spends with his countrywoman who resides in America. The two are back together after a long period apart, and get around to enjoying a bunch of fun activities while rekindling the flames of their romance.
This song is about a serial child molester who dressed as a clown and preyed on young boys. (Sorce: thenewgay.net/2009/05/chris-garneau.html)
Pick me up, hose me down I'm sorry, boys, about the dirty night clowns Earth does break the things that we make Like model planes and cuppy cakes
(Literally getting up and cleaning off the evidence of the assault. Singer issues a direct apology to the victims. Earth, or humanity, tends to destroy innocence.)
I can't clear the leaves from here They're too far under the brush this year x2
(The victim is unable to move past or forget the assault. Those memories are too deeply buried in his mind (keeping in mind, childhood sexual assault often results in repressed memories).)
Let them be buried, buried alive In their suits, in their ties Trees to shade the moves that they made In their suits, in their ties Let them be buried, buried alive In their suits, in their ties You're safe here, now you're in the clear Now we'll eat soup and apple pies
(Let the victims suffer or "be buried alive" through the memories of their abuse. Suits and ties references the victims feeling forced to grow up too fast after losing their innocence. Trying to forget/ repress memories of the assault (if "leaves" are memories of the assault and "brush" is the victim's subconscious, then "trees" are false memories or excuses planted to cover up the leaves). The victims are told that they're safe and will never be abused again. Trying to move past the assault and pretend to resume a normal childhood.)
I can't clear the leaves from here They're too far under the brush this year x2
I will never be dirt-free
(The victim will never escape the memories or feel clean again.)
Up the stairs come find me Come sneak up behind me I'll be sleeping soundly Like a baby
(Describing the actual assault. Emphasis on the innocence and helplessness of the victims.)
I can't clear the leaves from here They're too far under the brush this year