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.
Uh-o-o-o-o
Uh-o-o-o-o
Uh-o-o-o-o
Uh-o-o-o-o
Uh-o-o-o-o
Uh-o-o-o-o
I feel the rain on my skin
Wash away all the pain I was in
I see the sun in the sky
No longer know how it feels to cry
And it really doesn't matter
So what? So what?
That I've been hesitating so long, so long
Somebody turn out the light
'Cause right now must be my time to shine
They said I couldn't, they told me that I wouldn't
But if they could see me now
They'd see I'm something, that I'm not scared of nothing
And the world will hear me shout
We say oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
Might call me crazy
But I've been thinkin' maybe you would change your mind
If you could see me now
Drop me in the ocean, I'll swim
Put me in with the lions, I'll roar
There's a survivor within
So much stronger than I was before
They never saw me comin'
So what? So what?
'Cause they been sleepin' on me so long, so long
I'd gotta leave that behind
'Cause right now must be my time to shine
They said I couldn't, they told me that I wouldn't
But if they could see me now
They'd see I'm something, that I'm not scared of nothing
And the world will hear me shout
We say oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
Might call me crazy
But I've been thinkin' maybe you would change your mind
If you could see me now
They said I couldn't, they told me that I wouldn't
But if they could see me now
They'd see I'm something, that I'm not scared of nothing
And the world will hear me shout
(I'm not scared of nothing!)
They said I couldn't, they told me that I wouldn't
But if they could see me now
They'd see I'm something, that I'm not scared of nothing
And the world will hear me shout
We say oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
Might call me crazy
But I've been thinkin' maybe you would change your mind
If you could see me now
Uh-o-o-o-o
Uh-o-o-o-o
Uh-o-o-o-o
Uh-o-o-o-o
Uh-o-o-o-o
I feel the rain on my skin
Wash away all the pain I was in
I see the sun in the sky
No longer know how it feels to cry
And it really doesn't matter
So what? So what?
That I've been hesitating so long, so long
Somebody turn out the light
'Cause right now must be my time to shine
They said I couldn't, they told me that I wouldn't
But if they could see me now
They'd see I'm something, that I'm not scared of nothing
And the world will hear me shout
We say oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
Might call me crazy
But I've been thinkin' maybe you would change your mind
If you could see me now
Drop me in the ocean, I'll swim
Put me in with the lions, I'll roar
There's a survivor within
So much stronger than I was before
They never saw me comin'
So what? So what?
'Cause they been sleepin' on me so long, so long
I'd gotta leave that behind
'Cause right now must be my time to shine
They said I couldn't, they told me that I wouldn't
But if they could see me now
They'd see I'm something, that I'm not scared of nothing
And the world will hear me shout
We say oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
Might call me crazy
But I've been thinkin' maybe you would change your mind
If you could see me now
They said I couldn't, they told me that I wouldn't
But if they could see me now
They'd see I'm something, that I'm not scared of nothing
And the world will hear me shout
(I'm not scared of nothing!)
They said I couldn't, they told me that I wouldn't
But if they could see me now
They'd see I'm something, that I'm not scared of nothing
And the world will hear me shout
We say oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
Might call me crazy
But I've been thinkin' maybe you would change your mind
If you could see me now
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
More Featured Meanings
Standing On The Edge Of Summer
Thursday
Thursday
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.
Head > Heels
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Head > Heels” is a track that aims to capture what it feels like to experience romance that exceeds expectations. Ed Sheeran dedicates his album outro to a lover who has blessed him with a unique experience that he seeks to describe through the song’s nuanced lyrics.
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.
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.
I think this song is about people telling you that you can't do something and proving the people who said you couldn't do it wrong.