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.
Why do you hurt yourself?
You do it very well
You do it so politely
That you couldn't even tell
When everything has changed
You think you're not to blame
How come you keep on talking
When the whole thing feels so strange?
But seeing
Is not the same as believing
When everything goes wrong
You're anything but strong
It's all bittersweet
Outside in the street
The grass is growing greener
Underneath your feet
We come and go
Deep water flows
Tiny leaves from small seeds
To tall trees do grow
But wanting
Is not the same thing as needing
There's no need to pretend
You can't turn back again
And loving
Is so different to keeping
The hurting that we send
Is so difficult to mend
Hold on to the good things
That keep you from falling down
Hold on to the good things
That keep you from falling down
How my heart aches
More than I can take
What are we really learning
When we make the same mistakes?
Where is your hope?
It's all gone up in smoke
You used to be so funny
Now it's just the same old joke
And laughing
Is so very close to crying
When there's nothing to defend
It gets you in the end
And living
Is so very close to dying
You struggle on and on
To find where you belong
Where do you belong?
You do it very well
You do it so politely
That you couldn't even tell
When everything has changed
You think you're not to blame
How come you keep on talking
When the whole thing feels so strange?
But seeing
Is not the same as believing
When everything goes wrong
You're anything but strong
It's all bittersweet
Outside in the street
The grass is growing greener
Underneath your feet
We come and go
Deep water flows
Tiny leaves from small seeds
To tall trees do grow
But wanting
Is not the same thing as needing
There's no need to pretend
You can't turn back again
And loving
Is so different to keeping
The hurting that we send
Is so difficult to mend
Hold on to the good things
That keep you from falling down
Hold on to the good things
That keep you from falling down
How my heart aches
More than I can take
What are we really learning
When we make the same mistakes?
Where is your hope?
It's all gone up in smoke
You used to be so funny
Now it's just the same old joke
And laughing
Is so very close to crying
When there's nothing to defend
It gets you in the end
And living
Is so very close to dying
You struggle on and on
To find where you belong
Where do you belong?
Lyrics submitted by weezerific:cutlery
Anything But Strong Lyrics as written by David Allan Stewart Annie Lennox
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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
Holiday
Bee Gees
Bee Gees
@[Diderik:33655] "Your a holiday!" Was a popular term used in the 50s/60s to compliment someone on their all around. For example, not only are they beautiful, but they are fun and kind too ... just an all around "holiday".
I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
Dreamwalker
Silent Planet
Silent Planet
I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
Punchline
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran sings about missing his former partner and learning important life lessons in the process on “Punchline.” This track tells a story of battling to get rid of emotions for a former lover, whom he now realized might not have loved him the same way. He’s now caught between accepting that fact and learning life lessons from it and going back to beg her for another chance.
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.
I can't believe no one's commented on this song yet. Annie is so great at summing up what it is to be human and to feel lost in a painfully beautiful way.
It's a relationship gone sad and which is now mired by her partner's use of drugs. She is mildly admonishing her druggie partner: "where is your hope? it's all gone up in smoke". She's just trying her best to keep his head above water, gently talking him out of his bad habits: "hold on to the good things that keep you from falling down"; "what are we really learning when we make the same mistakes?". And yet she herself might well feel powerless to haul him out of the mire, help him fight his addictions and dispel his confusion: "you struggle on and on to find where you belong"