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.
If there's one thing I can't stand
It's this bar and this cover band
Trying to fake their way through 'Castles Made of Sand'.
That's one thing I can't stand.
If there's one thing I can't take
It's the sound that a woman makes
About five seconds after her heart begins to break.
That's one thing I can't take.
She should be home by now but she ain't.
I should've gone by now but I cain't.
One of my friends has taken her in and given her codeine.
One of my friends has taken her in and given her codeine.
Them eyes was big as stars
When I saw you behind the bar.
I guess that's the way to keep on smilin' where you are.
But girl them eyes was big as stars.
It sounds funny when you say my name.
It's like you're chewing on a foreign thing
And you won't get to sleep 'till dawn if it don't rain.
It sounds so funny when you say my name.
You oughta come home tonight but you won't.
I wish we knew how to fight but we don't.
One of your friends has taken you in and given you codeine.
One of your friends has taken you in and given you codeine.
Darlin' I'm not one to judge
But if I was then I'd say you don't look so good.
Got no answers of my own
But with you gone, this place looks bigger than it should.
If there's two things that I hate
It's having to cook and trying to date.
Busting ass all day to play 'hurry up and wait.
That's a few things that I hate.
If I call when I ain't drunk
This old boat'll still be sunk
'Cause one of my friends has taken her in and given her codeine.
One of my friends has taken her in and given her codeine.
One of my friends has taken her in and given her codeine.
One of my friends has taken her in and given her codeine.
It's this bar and this cover band
Trying to fake their way through 'Castles Made of Sand'.
That's one thing I can't stand.
If there's one thing I can't take
It's the sound that a woman makes
About five seconds after her heart begins to break.
That's one thing I can't take.
She should be home by now but she ain't.
I should've gone by now but I cain't.
One of my friends has taken her in and given her codeine.
One of my friends has taken her in and given her codeine.
Them eyes was big as stars
When I saw you behind the bar.
I guess that's the way to keep on smilin' where you are.
But girl them eyes was big as stars.
It sounds funny when you say my name.
It's like you're chewing on a foreign thing
And you won't get to sleep 'till dawn if it don't rain.
It sounds so funny when you say my name.
You oughta come home tonight but you won't.
I wish we knew how to fight but we don't.
One of your friends has taken you in and given you codeine.
One of your friends has taken you in and given you codeine.
Darlin' I'm not one to judge
But if I was then I'd say you don't look so good.
Got no answers of my own
But with you gone, this place looks bigger than it should.
If there's two things that I hate
It's having to cook and trying to date.
Busting ass all day to play 'hurry up and wait.
That's a few things that I hate.
If I call when I ain't drunk
This old boat'll still be sunk
'Cause one of my friends has taken her in and given her codeine.
One of my friends has taken her in and given her codeine.
One of my friends has taken her in and given her codeine.
One of my friends has taken her in and given her codeine.
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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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If there's two things that I hate It's having to cook and trying to date. Busting ass all day to play 'hurry up and wait. That's a few things that I hate.
Love it. Also like the motif one of my friends has taken her in and given her codeine. I'm sure it all adds up to Jason but I don't see any overall meaning to it.
Codeine is artificial cocaine to ween people off the real thing. Its obvious his girl has taken up with one of his "friends" in an attempt to ween herself off him.
Seriously? Where did you get this? Cocaine and Codeine are totally different, if not exact opposites. Cocaine is a stimulant, while codeine is an opiate more closely related to heroine. What you just said is one of the mostly insanely idiotic things I've ever heard. In no point in your rambling, incoherent comment, were you even close to anything considered a rational thought. Everyone here is now dumber for having read it. I award you no points, and my god have mercy on your soul. <br /> <br /> en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Codeine<br /> en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cocaine
I think you are thinking of methadone.
@ck.mecha You obviously have no idea what you're talking about. Don't try to respond unless you can actually grasp what the song is about. You are probably just confusing those that come here to actually find proper answers. As most know, codeine is not related to cocaine. It is an opioid, similar to heroin. Obviously, Jason is singing about a past lover who is addicted to codeine and he is mourning the loss of the relationship. Given the fact that Jason himself struggled with substance abuse I imagine this song hits close to his heart.