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.
You're living in a place you left behind
Going round in circles all the time
Can see the way your head it's like you're blind
So open your eyes and
Time realign just what you got
With what you nearly had and what you want
You fall asleep and then the moment's gone
So open your eyes and
Yeah, its hard to undo time
Hard to separate my past from my rhyme
Cause how could you separate milk from lime
Waste my time
Looking back
You always seem to be looking back (looking back)
Feels like your mind's always somewhere else
You're always looking over your shoulder
Think about the places you could never be
Beauty in the faces that you never see
As you lie this sleepy
How the moment flies
So open your eyes and:
Yeah, they say life makes sense backwards
But you've got to live it forward
Don't waste your time, no
Don't waste your time just looking back
You always seem to be looking back
Feels like your mind's always somewhere else
You're always looking over your shoulder (over your shoulder)
Looking back
You always seem to be looking back (looking back)
Feels like your mind's always somewhere else (somewhere else)
You're always looking over your shoulder
Am I the only one trying to fight off an army
Of memories dressed up all trying to harm me
I feel cocky, running up the steps like Rocky
Until the past comes flashing like paparazzi
Nothing's new so why open my folder
My favorite view is over my shoulder
Everything backwards, is my plight
Its landing first when in my flight
Even my tears run up my cheeks
Back in my eye
Link I die
Don't waste your time just looking back
You always seem to be looking back (looking back)
Feels like your mind's always somewhere else (somewhere else)
You're always looking over your shoulder (over your shoulder)
You always seem to be looking back (looking back)
Feels like your mind's always somewhere else (somewhere else)
You're always looking over your shoulder (over your shoulder)
You're always looking back
Over, and over, and over
You're always looking back
Going round in circles all the time
Can see the way your head it's like you're blind
So open your eyes and
Time realign just what you got
With what you nearly had and what you want
You fall asleep and then the moment's gone
So open your eyes and
Yeah, its hard to undo time
Hard to separate my past from my rhyme
Cause how could you separate milk from lime
Waste my time
Looking back
You always seem to be looking back (looking back)
Feels like your mind's always somewhere else
You're always looking over your shoulder
Think about the places you could never be
Beauty in the faces that you never see
As you lie this sleepy
How the moment flies
So open your eyes and:
Yeah, they say life makes sense backwards
But you've got to live it forward
Don't waste your time, no
Don't waste your time just looking back
You always seem to be looking back
Feels like your mind's always somewhere else
You're always looking over your shoulder (over your shoulder)
Looking back
You always seem to be looking back (looking back)
Feels like your mind's always somewhere else (somewhere else)
You're always looking over your shoulder
Am I the only one trying to fight off an army
Of memories dressed up all trying to harm me
I feel cocky, running up the steps like Rocky
Until the past comes flashing like paparazzi
Nothing's new so why open my folder
My favorite view is over my shoulder
Everything backwards, is my plight
Its landing first when in my flight
Even my tears run up my cheeks
Back in my eye
Link I die
Don't waste your time just looking back
You always seem to be looking back (looking back)
Feels like your mind's always somewhere else (somewhere else)
You're always looking over your shoulder (over your shoulder)
You always seem to be looking back (looking back)
Feels like your mind's always somewhere else (somewhere else)
You're always looking over your shoulder (over your shoulder)
You're always looking back
Over, and over, and over
You're always looking back
Lyrics submitted by halfmastodon
Looking Back Lyrics as written by Tom Chaplin Timothy James Rice-oxley
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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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.
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Perhaps... But I think the other songs on the EP make up for it.
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Love the band. Love the lyrics. It's about looking foward, not wasting time on things that cannot be changed. We have no control over other people or their actions. All we can control is how we deal with what we're handed. I plow ahead in life, feel great getting my health back, and I am looking forward to one day being a red hot mama (well, a mama I suppose:). I am who I am. And some people will appreciate me and love me and desire me and some won't. And that's OK. It's about staying positive and moving forward. GREAT band. Still waiting for it to hold a concert with Snow Patrol. I would almost sell my soul for that!