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.
Said the voice from afar
Don't you know it doesn't have to be so hard
Waiting for everyone else around to agree
Might take too long
Might take too long
Then it won't be so hard (it won't be so hard)
Well it's true yes but you
Won't get far telling me
That you are all you're meant to be
When the one from my dream
Is sitting right next to me
And I don't know what to do
Oh, alter ego
Get them to love you
While they may, depending on your words and wealth
The only one who's really judging you is yourself
Nobody else, nobody else
If I could part, it wouldn't be so hard (it won't be so hard)
Well, it's true, yes, but you won't get far telling me
That you are all you're meant to be
When the one from my dream
Is sitting right next to me
And I don't know what to do
Oh, alter ego
Don't you know it doesn't have to be so hard
Waiting for everyone else around to agree
Might take too long
Might take too long
Then it won't be so hard (it won't be so hard)
Well it's true yes but you
Won't get far telling me
That you are all you're meant to be
When the one from my dream
Is sitting right next to me
And I don't know what to do
Oh, alter ego
Get them to love you
While they may, depending on your words and wealth
The only one who's really judging you is yourself
Nobody else, nobody else
If I could part, it wouldn't be so hard (it won't be so hard)
Well, it's true, yes, but you won't get far telling me
That you are all you're meant to be
When the one from my dream
Is sitting right next to me
And I don't know what to do
Oh, alter ego
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More Featured Meanings
Standing On The Edge Of Summer
Thursday
Thursday
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.
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.
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.
I think this song is about hiding ones true self and creating an ‘Alter Ego’ to please everyone else. The individual’s true self is fighting with his fake alter ego stating that it isn’t that hard to be yourself. The line ‘the voice from afar’ suggests that the individual has become lost in what everyone else wants to see, and is trying to convince himself that ‘Waiting for everyone else around to argee, might take too long’ the next line ‘When it won't be so hard’ suggests that it wouldn’t be as hard to be yourself and others will accept you for who you are.
The individual battles with himself as the fake part of him is trying to convince himself that he is all he needs to be but his true self longs for more depth stating ‘Well it's true, yes, but you wont't get far telling me that you are all you're meant to be, when the one from our dream is sitting right next to me and I don't know what to do’
The song continues by stating all the things that is needed for an individual to be accepted and liked ‘Get them to love you, while the may depending on your words and wealth,’
The individual realises that the only person judging them is their ‘alter ego’ ‘the only one who's really judging you is yourself. Nobody else.’ the individual longs to part ways with his alter ego and show people his true self ‘If I could part, it wouldn't be so hard.’