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've walked down high streets looking through windows.
I've been lost in crowds of strangers.
Searched record shops and cosmetic aisles, phone books, want ads, bus stops and libraries.
Newspaper headlines, mannequin faces, television stations, billboard advertisements.
Your voice echoes in the back of my mind.
I see your face when I close my eyes.
Do you share the same sense of defeat?
Have you realized all the things you'll never be?
Ideals turn to resentment, open minds close up with cynicism.
I've got no judgment for you.
Come on and ache with me.
Through bar rooms, cafes, jail cells and court rooms.
Theaters, restaurants, graveyards and churches.
I've spent every dollar that I've ever earned.
I'll bleed my heart out, I'll give every word.
I've asked preachers, doctors and lawyers, socialites, pariahs, mothers and fathers.
You may not find all that you're after, in the end I hope it doesn't matter.
Do you share the same sense of defeat?
Have you realized all the things you'll never be?
Ideals turn to resentment, open minds close up with cynicism.
I've got no judgment for you.
Come on and ache with me.
Do you share the same sense of defeat?
Have you realized all the things you'll never be?
I've got no judgment for you.
Come on and ache with me.
I've been lost in crowds of strangers.
Searched record shops and cosmetic aisles, phone books, want ads, bus stops and libraries.
Newspaper headlines, mannequin faces, television stations, billboard advertisements.
Your voice echoes in the back of my mind.
I see your face when I close my eyes.
Do you share the same sense of defeat?
Have you realized all the things you'll never be?
Ideals turn to resentment, open minds close up with cynicism.
I've got no judgment for you.
Come on and ache with me.
Through bar rooms, cafes, jail cells and court rooms.
Theaters, restaurants, graveyards and churches.
I've spent every dollar that I've ever earned.
I'll bleed my heart out, I'll give every word.
I've asked preachers, doctors and lawyers, socialites, pariahs, mothers and fathers.
You may not find all that you're after, in the end I hope it doesn't matter.
Do you share the same sense of defeat?
Have you realized all the things you'll never be?
Ideals turn to resentment, open minds close up with cynicism.
I've got no judgment for you.
Come on and ache with me.
Do you share the same sense of defeat?
Have you realized all the things you'll never be?
I've got no judgment for you.
Come on and ache with me.
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I've been addicted to this song all day. Here's what I'm feeling from it:
We all have struggles and frustrations and we grow weary of them as we get older. They contributed to the demise of the relationship but he doesn't blame her or himself. It's just the way it is and he doesn't expect to find answers or relief from the pain of life. During this period of sadness, he just wants the comfort of being close to her.
He's not talking to himself or "her" (whoever "her" might be) but he's talking to us, the people who used to listen to Against Me in their youth time, people who were anarchist, people who had ideals, idealist that grew up to be cynic, who grew up ill will or resentful. People who had to deal with reason (I thought the line "Ideals turn to resentment" was "Deals turned to reason, and") <br /> <br /> People who are now aching in the face of the absurdity of this world. These are the people to which this song is dedicated to.<br /> <br /> A song, along with "I Was A Teenage Anarchist" and "Suffocation", that is the emblem of what Against Me! have become. <br /> <br /> "Suffocation<br /> Modern life in the western world"<br /> <br /> I don't care about people hating Against Me! because they "aren't doing punk anymore" because, for me, Against Me! always was a Folk "(somewhat aggressive) modern-rock" band, not a "Folk Punk" band.
Or "stop" as a matter of fact. Fucking love this song, it explains a lot the hard deal they've been dealing with.