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.
Lord my mother she done told me and my father done told
me
My father told me too, yeah my mother she done told me
And my father done told me, my father told me too, it's a mean old town to live
in by yourself
Yeah, work for a dollar or several thousand, could not save a
dime
You know I worked for a dollar, or several thousand, man couldn't save a
dime
Ain't nobody worried and there isn't nobody's crying
Yeah, I got my hands outside to get a hold on, try to get some of my
cash
Lord I try to get my hands outside to get a hold on, try to get some of my
cash
It's those great big smiles to keep us out of that trash
So I packed up my suitcase and I move on down, hit that lonesome
road
You know I packed up my suitcase and I hit that lonesome, move on
down
I'm still crying to make it when the day was done
me
My father told me too, yeah my mother she done told me
And my father done told me, my father told me too, it's a mean old town to live
in by yourself
Yeah, work for a dollar or several thousand, could not save a
dime
You know I worked for a dollar, or several thousand, man couldn't save a
dime
Ain't nobody worried and there isn't nobody's crying
Yeah, I got my hands outside to get a hold on, try to get some of my
cash
Lord I try to get my hands outside to get a hold on, try to get some of my
cash
It's those great big smiles to keep us out of that trash
So I packed up my suitcase and I move on down, hit that lonesome
road
You know I packed up my suitcase and I hit that lonesome, move on
down
I'm still crying to make it when the day was done
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
Mean Town Blues Lyrics as written by Johnny Winter
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
No Surprises
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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.
Just A Little Lovin'
Dusty Springfield
Dusty Springfield
I don't think it's necessarily about sex. It's about wanting to start the day with some love and affection. Maybe a warm cuddle. I'm not alone in interpreting it that way! For example:
"'Just a Little Lovin’ is a timeless country song originally recorded by Eddy Arnold in 1954. The song, written by Eddie Miller and Jimmy Campbell, explores the delicate nuances of love and showcases Arnold’s emotive vocals. It delves into the universal theme of love and how even the smallest gesture of affection can have a profound impact on our lives." https://oldtimemusic.com/the-meaning-behind-the-song-just-a-little-lovin-by-eddy-arnold/
Page
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
There aren’t many things that’ll hurt more than giving love a chance against your better judgement only to have your heart crushed yet again. Ed Sheeran tells such a story on “Page.” On this track, he is devastated to have lost his lover and even more saddened by the feeling that he may never move on from this.