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.
There's a spider crawling on the bathroom mirror
Right on top of my right eye
And I can't stop staring back
How did I get this way?
Take a big look at a living lie
Rags to rags and rust to rust
How do you stand when you've been crushed?
So rags to riches was a bust
Sometimes I dream about it what it's like back home
The railroad tracks and the pussy willow
But I had to leave it and I go back
Whenever my tired head hits the pillow
Rags to rags and rust to rust
How do you stand when you've been crushed?
So rags to riches was a bust
Busted once again
But I'll show them one day
That I can buy and sell the world
One day I'll come through with my American dream
But it won't mean a fucking thing
Rags to rags and rust to rust
How do you stand when you've been crushed?
So rags to rags and rust to rust (don't let me go)
Rags to rags and rust to rust (don't let me go)
Rags to rags and rust to rust (don't let me go)
Right on top of my right eye
And I can't stop staring back
How did I get this way?
Take a big look at a living lie
Rags to rags and rust to rust
How do you stand when you've been crushed?
So rags to riches was a bust
Sometimes I dream about it what it's like back home
The railroad tracks and the pussy willow
But I had to leave it and I go back
Whenever my tired head hits the pillow
Rags to rags and rust to rust
How do you stand when you've been crushed?
So rags to riches was a bust
Busted once again
But I'll show them one day
That I can buy and sell the world
One day I'll come through with my American dream
But it won't mean a fucking thing
Rags to rags and rust to rust
How do you stand when you've been crushed?
So rags to rags and rust to rust (don't let me go)
Rags to rags and rust to rust (don't let me go)
Rags to rags and rust to rust (don't let me go)
Lyrics submitted by Don Jerone
Rags to Rags Lyrics as written by Mark O. Everett
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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I love this song. The meaning I get is an american dream is just a dream.
This is about E when he left home to move to LA and become famous but didn't make it at first and started to miss home.
That works, but I also think it's mocking the "Rags to Riches" slogan. Basically, he leaves home to make a living for himself, believing he can make it but when he doesn't at first decides "rags to riches" is a load of bull. (and maybe, like you said, gets homesick.)
Though this is only what I think.
I think briefly this song is about exposing that contrary to the american dream you can't always make it from rags to riches.
agrees with MercuryCobain one of my favorite songs
E conveys the imagery and feeling in this song perfectly. One of their best songs.
there is a strange feeling of helplessness, but it is a great song. i also agree with MercuryCobain.
Anyone else feel this song might have inherent anticapitalistic vibes? \'I\'ll show them one day... that i can buy and sell the world\