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.
You can hear the baby bones
Crack beneath her wheels
Tears of Avalon
Streak silent down her shield
High crimes and misdemeanors
Unfortunate attacks
Will leave you standing nameless
While she's turning black
Vanity stands naked at my door
Vanity cries, why?
Eleanor, you've lost me
In a haze of wine and cocaine
Gone out and cost me
Everything I blame
Broadcast in TV detail
To call their own stories
As I try to recapture
Our best in former glories
Vanity stands naked at my door
Vanity cries, why?
Vanity wants everything and more
Vanity must die
She swears she'll turn around
Turn around for good
She swears she'll turn around
Turn around for sure
You know you'll run around
Run around for her
You know you want to know so pure
Ease on that dirt road
You've still a ways to go
Soak in sights and city lights
While you still can borrow
Cursed fall will find you
And bring a memory
The ghost of her surrender
With the kiss of anarchy
She's naked at my door
Vanity cries, why?
Vanity wants everything and more
Vanity must die
Die
Crack beneath her wheels
Tears of Avalon
Streak silent down her shield
High crimes and misdemeanors
Unfortunate attacks
Will leave you standing nameless
While she's turning black
Vanity stands naked at my door
Vanity cries, why?
Eleanor, you've lost me
In a haze of wine and cocaine
Gone out and cost me
Everything I blame
Broadcast in TV detail
To call their own stories
As I try to recapture
Our best in former glories
Vanity stands naked at my door
Vanity cries, why?
Vanity wants everything and more
Vanity must die
She swears she'll turn around
Turn around for good
She swears she'll turn around
Turn around for sure
You know you'll run around
Run around for her
You know you want to know so pure
Ease on that dirt road
You've still a ways to go
Soak in sights and city lights
While you still can borrow
Cursed fall will find you
And bring a memory
The ghost of her surrender
With the kiss of anarchy
She's naked at my door
Vanity cries, why?
Vanity wants everything and more
Vanity must die
Die
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