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Nerina Pallot – Sophia Lyrics 7 years ago
Okay: hear me out. I interpret this as a song from the perspective of a young mother speaking to her newborn daughter (Sophia), justifying her love of a man who is not the girl's father. She is either trapped in a marriage, or otherwise unable to handle the conflict of being a mom and being in love with a man she can't live without.

I think of this as her way of saying, "okay. enough. I have tried living without him but it is killing me. I can't stay together just because i have a new born. Sophia, I hope you'll understand someday."

*** five o'clock, fire escape symphony:

She is looking out of her apartment window, at the cars and people as be sun is setting. Looking out on the world, all she can wonder is whether her true love is thinking of her.

** in the lonely hours, he haunts me:

Now she is beginning to explain to Sophia how she can't get this man out of her head. How waning to be with him has turned into an obsession and it's killing her ability o live.

** walk the streets like a stranger in my home town:

In this stanza she's continuing to explain to her daughter, Sophia, just how horrible her life is in wanting to be with him but being unable to see him. She walks the streets in a daze.


** learn the language, FORM the words when I speak:

She feels like a robot, a shell of a person. She can't even speak naturally -- she has to learn to put on a human face and fake her way through every interaction. She "forms words" when she speaks, as opposed to speaking from the heart


**but he changed me, I'm a ghost since he came around:


She can't carry on living a normal life, trapped in whatever empty relationship she may have with the father of her child -- she is constantly haunted by thoughts of this man, her true love.

** now I count the hours, and the days, and the weeks

She can't think of anything except seeing him again. Because she has her whole life set up, and child to care for, and because their relationship has had to to remain a secret up til the time being, she can't see him casually. They can't be together --


Or, perhaps he's even a past lover whom she knew before she married her daughter's father.

Whatever the case: she is utterly in love with this man and she is finally figuring out that she simply cannot live without him any longer, consequences be damned.

** Passion & silence, every word every line a measure. It's the science of the soul.

Loving this man has opened her mind to the nature of true love. For the first time she is experiencing loving her soulmate. A love she never imagined existed.

But, her lifestyle and commitment to Sophia's dad (however misplaced) causes her to measure out her feelings. She is weighing her heart and mind like counter weights in a clock. She is attempting to manage her passions through silence and stillness. She had hoped to forget him, and she didn't want to rock the boat. She hoped that she could use silence to keep those feelings at bay.
She doesn't want to disrupt her life and leave Sophia's dad for this other man. All of this weighing and analyzing is the science of the soul. She's doing some serious soul searching and emotional math to see if she has any alternative other than leaving. Can she live without him? Can she have it all? what will this mean for Sophia? Is she doing the right thing by following her heart?


** and his books, they breathe a reason, and now I want to know:


This man, her true love, has opened her heart and mind. He has given her wisdom of the forbidden fruit, that is ,
the feeling of true, passionate love. His books, his words, have all tilted the scale. She's no longer the same after loving him. Now, she finally has a reason, a full understanding of the nature of love, and with it, the courage to follow her heart.


** new born eyes...have you ever loved a man like I love him?

Referring to the fact that her baby is so young, obviously she can't understand her mother's decision to leave her (Sophia's) father, but she still feels he need to consult her baby girl and ask for help making this hard decision.


** do you hurt, but still feel alive, like never before?


This is a rhetorical question directed at Sophia. She (the mother) is explaining how it is excruciating to be stuck between worlds, dying to follow her heart, but knowing that it will cost her so much. This painful existence is her life now, and it makes her feel very alive, and she's finally motivated to do something about it. This life
of suffering without her true love is making her feel more alive, and helping her come to the conclusion that she must move forward and follow her heart or die.

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Mother Mother – Cry Forum Lyrics 10 years ago
Here are other translations of the poem: http://www.allthingsif.org/if-translations

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Mother Mother – Cry Forum Lyrics 10 years ago
Just figured it out! The German in this song is actually a translation of a poem by Rudyard Kipling, titled "If."

Here's an excerpt of the original English:

"If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too;

If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or being hated, don't give way to hating,
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise; . . . You'll be a Man, my son."

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Mother Mother – Cry Forum Lyrics 10 years ago
Here's the (choppy) google translate of the German poem at the end:

"When all around you already lost consider
And you still keep only the head above water
If thou mayest expect no more trust
And just builds on yourself as upon a rock
If you are patient and emergency and envy can be
If ye be lied to and you do not avenge liegend
If you accept the hatred, without hating yourself
You do not boast in wisdom, nor of your virtues speak "

Can anyone translate the German more accurately, or does anyone know the origin of this poem?

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Ben Folds – Kylie From Connecticut Lyrics 11 years ago
At first, I thought this song was simply about a woman discovering her husband cheating. She says with him because of her old-school, look-the-other-way mentality, and she is sad and remembers her former lover. End of story.

But a closer reading of the lyrics has me now considering an alternative interpretation: that the husband might not even be guilty of cheating! Perhaps Kylie is an innocent business associate, doctor, therapist, friend, etc.

The only person explicitly identified as having had an affair is the wife. Could it be that is she is unnecessarily suspicious of her husband cheating because of her own guilt and memory of an affair?

Clearly, her heart belongs to someone else, but perhaps, even though she hasn't loved her husband in 30 years, he has remained in a faithful to a mostly loveless marriage, just out of his own pure devotion. And despite that, her suspicions 'come back' (again and again).

Anyway, just another possible reading.

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Ben Folds – Brainwashed Lyrics 11 years ago
You raise some interesting questions, but I think the cast of characters is not as vast as it at first seems. The comment by AHoyBobby really sums up the backstory of this song, which puts the entire song into context.

The woman who brainwashed John & Flemming is of course, Frally, Ben's now ex wife.

I believe the correct lyrics would be "She's brainwashed you two," (instead of "you too") -- thus meaning that she (Frally) has brainwashed the pair of them (John & Flemming).

Even if I'm wrong, and the lyrics are "she's brainwashed you too," , he could still be referring to John & Flemming. (ie: she's brainwashed you, John, and you too, Flemming.)


The jab about "getting blown in your basement while your wife slept", is referring to John cheating on his (then) wife in '94, while Flemming was his mistress. John & Flemming released their first album together in '95 and became an official couple right around the time John's marriage was falling apart. Ben is accusing John & Flemming of hypocrisy by essentially calling John a cheater and Flemming a homewrecker.

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Randy Newman – A Few Words in Defense of Our Country Lyrics 11 years ago
I really enjoy this song. Here's a transcript of Randy's introduction to this number on his Live in London Album (2011):

"When I came to Europe last, it was a few years ago, I recognized fairly soon that people here didn't like us very much, speaking as a country as I often do, and I understood it, but I wanted to do something to try and explain it, so I wrote this song."

*End Transcript*
_______________


The line that most gives me pause in this song is "And as for the brother, Pluto's not a planet any more either."

What do you suppose he means by that? Is he saying simply that times have changed and so now it's possible for a black man can to serve on the Supreme Court? Or is he saying that , just as the Italians on the Supreme Court are unusually "tight-assed" for a pair of Italians, so too is Clarence Thomas unusually straight-laced for a black man?

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George Strait – So Much Like My Dad Lyrics 14 years ago
wow you're right. Don't know if I'd say best country song ever written, but it is, at least lyrically, quite beautifully written.

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Ben Folds – Dr. Yang (Album Version) Lyrics 14 years ago
hahah @archaia sophia has it right; new age quackery is an apt name for it. But, I think it's also about the people who seek comfort and meaning in such rituals and procedures. Lines like "you gotta help me I'm falling" emphasize how pathetic it is to seek salvation from crack pot doctors, gurus or others who care more about making money ('when my bank card clears') than helping people.

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Harvey Danger – Sad Sweetheart Of The Rodeo Lyrics 14 years ago
I do like that Norman Rockwell interpretation. Good call on that.

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Harvey Danger – Sad Sweetheart Of The Rodeo Lyrics 14 years ago
My understanding of this song as evolved since I first commented back in 2003 under the name of Cocobunny. Themagnetc is right; the meaning of this song is deeper. Though, in my defense I was only 13 and hadn’t put much thought into it.
I recently had the opportunity to ask Sean Nelson one question, and this is what I wanted to know:
“Who or what was the inspiration for Sad Sweetheart of the Rodeo, and who or what is a rubbercan clown?”

He replied (paraphrasing):

This song is about a girl I was dating, who I later married, who hated her job and was having dating problems, which is a recipe for great rock music. I was listening to a lot of Edith Frost at the time, which is why she’s named Edith. I wrote Edith an email to this affect, and would you believe that she never wrote back?

A rubbercan clown refers to the rodeo clown, whose job it is to get the bulls as mad as possible. The only protection they have is a big can made of hardened rubber. It offers more protection than if they can were made of, say, tinfoil.

End of paraphrase. Begin over-thought interpretation.

Sean’s then-girlfriend (now ex-wife) wasn’t necessarily obsessed with the rodeo, or dreaming of running away with cowboys, but the sentiment is the same. She, like Edith, was dissatisfied with her love-life and work and dreamed of doing something more fulfilling.

Now, for the lyrics:

“Not another existential cowboy, and no more "california champagne."
Not another saddle tramp--sick, sore, lonely and out of place, cryin� in his coffee ice cream (come on).”

Hear me out; I’ll try to back myself up. This sounds to me like Edith’s commentary on the degenerating spirit and state of the rodeo. She is a hand working ‘backstage’ at the rodeo and observing these men who ride, but lack the heart for it. They’re sad, sick, alcoholic (California champagne = cheap alcohol, not imported), lonely men. She is both disgusted by and jealous of them, living her dream of riding in the rodeo.

“Edith cannot fix another engine, nor paint another face on a rubbercan clown. She takes another temp job, but in her secret heart she rides!”

She’s doing odd jobs at the rodeo, such as fixing engines and doing the face painting for the rodeo clowns. She’s fed up with it, but she keeps doing it just to be near her dream.

“Sad sweetheart of the rodeo not an urban legend now sad sweetheart of the rodeo.

Give it a rest, give it a rest, give it a bad night�s sleep.
Norman says that you should take a valium (or maybe something stronger) Cause he doesn�t understand how you get so excited watching "the lusty men."

The marlboro man died of cancer and he wasn�t a rocket scientist when he was healthy. ha ha ha. ”
Norman (her boyfriend — watch the music video) is ridiculing her for her interest. He doesn’t understand why she cares about watching the cowboys (ie: lusty men). He suggests that she should just chill (ie: take a valium) and give her silly dreams a rest. The bit about the Marlboro man is Norman trying to prove that cowboys are stupid. The Marlboro man was a figure in old Marlboro cigarette ads, who ironically died of cancer. (Read more: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marlboro_man)

“She took one last gulp of his soft city condescension and blasted off from his little launch pad to parts west. (lonesome cowboy bill, where are you?)”

She got fed up with the ridicule and condescension and left him, to pursue her dreams of riding the rodeo in the West. That last line maybe what she’s thinking to herself as she makes leaves (ie: “Adventure, here I come!” )

NOW - having dissected story of Edith, I leave you to make your own interpretation about what Sean is really trying to say. To me, he’s commending the virtue of sticking with your dreams, regardless of what anyone else thinks, and just, being true to yourself. Thoughts?

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Harvey Danger – Wrecking Ball Lyrics 14 years ago
Just went to the final Harvey Danger All-Ages show last night *best show* of my life, by the way at which we were blessed with about an hour of question-answer-and requests. One questioner asked simply "What is Wrecking Ball about?" and Sean replied with more or less exactly the following:

It's a song about growing up in a family and knowing that you're related by blood, but feeling that you're not related in any other way...and then, growing up, going back, and trying to build a relationship where there really never was one to be had.


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Rise Against – Hero of War Lyrics 15 years ago
Thanks for your analysis. As a patriotic American I was sort of offended at how it seemed to degrade soldiers, who I do think are deserving of our praise and gratitude, in general. But, if I think of this song in the context of the greater world conflict, I can realize its relevance and try to learn something from int instead of just being offended.

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Ben Folds – One Down Lyrics 15 years ago
@Simpson - The "I love you more" section is definitely just him poking fun at the trite lyrics of a bad love song.

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Ben Harper – Well, Well, Well Lyrics 16 years ago
Wow. I'm surprised no one has commented on these lyrics yet. These seem like self-consciously meaningful lyrics, but I haven't really figured out what it all means.

Most of the lyrics on this album have a religious/gospel connotation and this one almost seems like a warning towards the innocent, telling them not to become evil and suffer damnation.

I can see how digging yourself into a well is a metaphor for digging yourself into hell, but it's the first two lines that I really can't unlock. Any ideas?

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Pink Martini – Sympathique Lyrics 16 years ago
Here's my own lyrical translation of this song, which emphasizes my interpretation that she is a prostitute.

Gentlewoman

Sun streams through the bars
Of this cage: my boudoir
While the soldier awaits me
He stands at my door
There’s a hunter inside him I see in his eyes
That he waits impatiently to claim his prize

I don’t want to work today
I don’t even want to eat
I just want to smoke away
Every ugly memory.

Once I knew love’s sweet perfume
Fragrant as a million flowers
Now a sole rose in my room
Sickens me with odors sour.

I don’t want to work today
I don’t even want to eat
I just want to smoke away
Every ugly memory.

To be assured, this life of mine
Will be the very death of me.
And yet, ashamed, I sell myself
Into a willing slavery
I guess to be of high repute
Was never in my destiny

I don’t want to work today
I don’t even want to eat
I just want to smoke away
Every ugly memory.

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Into Eternity – Timeless Winter Lyrics 16 years ago
Sick guitar solos in here, but seriously. . . the screaming demon voices are just too over the top for me to take it seriously.

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Will Smith – Wild Wild West Lyrics 16 years ago
What are the G.B.s?

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Frog Eyes – Reform The Countryside Lyrics 16 years ago
Wow. If these lyrics were here I would have never understood a single word in this song.

It's surprisingly good, though.

All I can say is that lines like

"deliver us, deiver us from the night!"

vaguely remind me of a proletariat struggle/rebellion under a medieval monarchy.

But, I honestly have no idea what these lyrics mean.

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Ben Folds – Jesusland Lyrics 17 years ago
True that the theme of overcomericalization has been told and retold. But, I find the perspective and religious commentary to be refreshing and very original. As a Christian, I find it particularly moving.

The line

"Lights come on
as you lay your weary head on their lawn."

Reminds me of the words to Away in a Manger:

"The little lord Jesus Lays down his sweet head"

And, it's interesting to note a possible connection with the electric nativity scenes that Ben cites in his Over the Hedge version of Rockin' The Suburbs.

In that song, which addresses a very similar theme to this one, he sings:

"Hot real-estate - rising stars
'get rich quick' seminars
soap opera magazines
40 thousand watt nativity scenes"

So, by looking at the connection between these two songs, you could interpret a connection. Jesus is both figuratively and literally left out on the lawn.

I'm not saying this is exactly what he meant, but just something to thing about.

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Lakes – Photographs Lyrics 17 years ago
Like Indian Lover, this song is a reflection on the anticipated happy future of a couple. Very touching. Reminds me of "I want to grow old with you" by Adam Sandler, only less cheesy.

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Lakes – Indian Lover Lyrics 17 years ago
I'm confused by the title of this song.

Is an Indian Lover like an 'Indian giver' (ie:Someone who takes back what they've already given)? If that is the implication of the title, it seems very contrary to the message of the lyrics.

Ideas?

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Lakes – Indian Lover Lyrics 17 years ago
What an incredible song!

I see these lyrics as a conversation between two relatively young lovers. Perhaps a young couple thinking about marriage and speculating about their future together.

Although there will always be disappointment and pain in life, he promises her that she will have "Love in all [her] pain". Sure, there will be broken ground (which I take to mean trails and tribulations), but love will help you stand. How beautifully written.

My favorite line:

Life ain't living if you don't breathe the air.

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Meese – Audiobody Lyrics 17 years ago
I couldn't find the lyrics to this song anywhere, so I just listened to it a few times and figured them out as best as I could. Any corrections?

The only real insight I have to offer as to meaning of this song is to point out the reference to the novel One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest by Ken Kesey, which, for those of you who don't know, is about a cruel and very strict insane asylum. There is obvious irony in the statement that he is both R.P McMurphey (a rebellious and actually quite sane tenant) and Nurse Ratched (the cruel and controlling head nurse) who, in the story, are enemies.

Although this song has an upbeat sound and light melody, there also seems to be an eerier, darker element addressed. Doom's Day, Insanity, Rebellion, Machinery.

Other thoughts?

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Pink Martini – Sympathique Lyrics 17 years ago
In terms of that translation, it was more or less correct. However, "chasseurs" translates to "hunters", not "bellhops". And 'sympatico' is not a word in English.

"Etre" is the correct lyric, not "et tres". Thus, it means "It is wonderful to be nice/likable, but I have never known it." (ie: she has never known what it's like to be nice or sweet).

Also, the translation "The sun streams through the window" doesn't fully capture the poetic intentions of that lyric. A better translation would be "The sun passes his arm by the window".

Now that we know what it says, let's talk about what it means.

Think about these points and what it says about what kind of a woman she must be. . .

1) The scent of roses, which represent love, has been tainted to her and now makes her sick. (She clearly has negative associations with love. She is unable to enjoy true intimacy. . .perhaps because of negative experiences related to intimacy?)

2) She doesn't see her self as nice, sweet, or refined (all acceptable translations of 'sympathique').


3) Her reflections on the fact that her lifestyle is going to kill her. She's clearly not proud of what she's doing.

4) She doesn't want to 'work'. What line of work do you suppose she's in that makes her disgusted with her self?

5) She just wants to forget about work and smoke. (Smoking...what one does after sex)

5)Her bedroom, like a cage.

6) The men, like hunters, want to take her.

C'mon folks. It's so clear -- she's a prostitute!

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Lily Allen – LDN Lyrics 17 years ago
LDN doesn't just stand for 'London'. The word 'London' is very rarely abbreviated at all.

LDN is more commonly used to mean "Lethal Dose to N%" I won't get scientific, but LDN indicates the dose of a toxicant that is lethal to n% (the median) of a population. (In Layman's terms, the amount of a drug must be taken to O.D.)

Knowing Lily's involvement with drugs and London's reputation for a large drug culture, It would make sense that she titled this song LDN as a sort of pun.

Perhaps she is referring to the infestation of immorality in London and suggests that it is reaching the tipping point (LDN).

Bah, someone else try to interpret it. I just thought you could use the FYI.

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Harvey Danger – Jack The Lion Lyrics 17 years ago
I posted under the s/n Cocobunny back in 2003. Since then, my Grandfather died in an eerily similar circumstance to that described in the lyrics and this song has taken on a whole new level of meaning to me.

When we learned that his illness was most likely beyond the point of recovery, we drove up to see him and pay our last respects. The hospital where he stayed was, I swear to God, just a few miles outside of Pleasant Valley (in Upstate New York). This is the only hospital that services that small area and I can only assume that is the same one where Sean Nelson's father died.

Another similarity is that my Grandfather attended Princeton University and we'd always called him "The Tiger", he had all of the pride and energy that I can imagine Sean saw in his own father.

He died of pulmonary fibrosis (having trouble breathing) but maintained the strength of his hands and his keen sense of humor up until the very hour he passed away.

True to the lyrics, it was on the last day of my visit that he finally passed away. Everything about this song, right down to laughing and crying at his bedside when I finally got a moment alone with him was my true to life experience. Crazy, huh?

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Good Charlotte – Lifestyles Of The Rich And Famous Lyrics 17 years ago
Thanks, Wizar! I was amazed that no one had made the connection to Marion Berry in their comments.

I was just going to say the same thing. Being from DC myself, I always take pleasure in hearing them poke fun at that crack head.

It's actually true, however, that McDonalds won't hire a person with a proven drug history but apparently the people of this Nation's Capital will. Ah, the irony.

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Cake – Rock 'n' Roll Lifestyle Lyrics 17 years ago
We can all agree that, at least on the most superficial level, this song is a a criticism of 'posers' living a particularly wasteful rock'n'roll lifestyle. But, I think it is a double entendre with some comment on how the American capitalistic society at large tends to be wasteful and living in excess. Don't get so defensive Billvmc -- they're just saying what they think it's about, not that they're communists.

Also, "Rock on completely with some brand new components" is truly a genius line. I think he's talking about the new accesssories that are earned by a lifetime of hard living -- liver problems, medical bills, faded tatoos, etc.

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Pennywise – Something To Change Lyrics 17 years ago
Haha. That's how I heard it too. It's one of my favorites on the 2004 Warped Tour Compilation.

I'm going to WT in SLC this summer. Pretty stoked to see Pennywise there, just from this one song I've heard. I've got to say that the meaning of these lyrics seems pretty straightforward.

He's talking about trying to escape from the monotony of his life and circumstance. In a very self-deprecating way, he criticizes himself for not having changed things sooner. He might be trying to escape from a bad job, relationship, or just overall situation.

Really like the line in the first verse, " Another casualty of humanity awash in my own stupidity ".

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Fastball – Red Light Lyrics 17 years ago
I am very confused by these lyrics. It seems to be more than a simple narrative about his debauchery, but I can't pinpoint any purpose or message that he is trying to convey. . .

Thoughts?

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Fastball – Our Misunderstanding Lyrics 17 years ago
I think this is a comment on the destructive nature of human society.

The first verse seems to be a comment on the way we abuse the earth. We are constantly extracting from the earth something that we think will "fill the hole", but in the end, profiting nothing, and only destroy the environment.

I think the rest of the song expands on that point and tries to state that human carelessness and selfishness leads to misunderstanding, which in turn, leads to war and havoc. We try to extract from others without ever giving back, and "make ourselves miserable" -- losing touch with true humanity ("You're a stranger to me now").

Any thoughts?

He seems to think that if we would be proactive, instead of just "Watchin' our problems multiply/ Wishing they would disappear"

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Harvey Danger – Wine, Women, and Song Lyrics 17 years ago
I completely agree with your interpretation of this song. I'd just like to add my theory on the origin of the title.

Here's a quote by Martin Luther: "Who loves not women, wine and song remains a fool his whole life long."

Any ideas on how this quote might relate to the meaning of the lyrics?

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Fastball – Nowhere Road Lyrics 17 years ago
These lyrics are pretty depressing when you think about it. More than trying to write a song to make people depressed, I think he was just trying to express the dismal nature and monotony of his typical, American life.

It's quite expressive. I think that "Caterpillars carving up the country side" might be refer to his feeling of insignificance and serve as a comment on the meaninglessness of the individual in this bland world.

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Ben Folds – The Ascent Of Stan Lyrics 17 years ago
Shamon was right. This song is about Stan who went fro being the "textbook hippie man" to the ultimate yuppie. He went from "revolution" to "institution".

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The Fray – How To Save A Life Lyrics 17 years ago
dssiblfyhtfetrf, I'm glad you feel so strongly about the meaning of this song...but, you're dead wrong.

See Isaac Slades own explanation of this song's meaning at http://www.christianitytoday.com/music/interviews/2006/thefray-0706.html


Quote, "'This kid had a thousand opportunities to get into trouble and he got into all of them,' Slade says. 'It was heartbreaking to see all the sacrifice that went into trying to save this kid. A lot of it came out of love, but it came across as self-righteousness.'

The song, Slade says, actually is 'a case study' of a point in time of struggling with the teen, whose life is finally turning for the better. 'I talked to him just last month,' he adds"

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The Fray – Over My Head (Cable Car) Lyrics 17 years ago
OKAY PEOPLE! This song is NOT about a breakup. It's about Isaac Slade's relationship with his brother.

"The hit "Over My Head (Cable Car)" recounts the struggle to maintain a relationship with his brother. "We had our ideological differences," Slade says. "We were not seeing eye-to-eye on a whole lot of things, and we had to figure out whether or not the relationship was going to continue."

Slade's songwriting skills are apparent in two lines of the song, which capture the pain of wishing his brother were someone else so the situation and accompanying pain could summarily be dismissed:

I wish you were a stranger I could disengage
Say that we agree and then never change "

This quote is taken from an interview with Isaac Slade by Christiantiytoday.com. See the interview at, "http://www.christianitytoday.com/music/interviews/2006/thefray-0706.html"

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The Fray – How To Save A Life Lyrics 17 years ago
Aside from all of the unncessary profanity, I agree with sobored. We all like the song, people. If we didn't, we probably wouldn't be looking up it's meaning. So, enough with the "SOOOOOooooo G00d!!!".

Since Isaac (lead songwriter, pianist) said that this song is about a drug-addicted teen, we might as well take his word for it. I think it's a about a father confronting his son, not a friend to a friend.

"He smiles politely back at you". .. This seems like a son trying to play innoncent to his father, an authority figure (not one of his teenaged friends).

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The Fray – Heaven Forbid Lyrics 17 years ago
Why is there always at least one person who insists that a song has to be about drugs? I can see how that can be inferred but . . .

I personally agree with Kutmedeep. It seems to be a monologue of advice from a friend to a girl who is ready to throw herself at anyone, so as not to be alone. He mocks her desperate attitude, but wants to help her out. It's okay to be single.

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The Fray – Happy Xmas (War Is Over) Lyrics 17 years ago
This is a over of a song by John Lennon and Yoko Ono. You know what peacenicks they were. I don't think there's much question as to this song's nature as a peace tribute, anti-vietnam war ballad. However, maybe The Fray covered it as a re-vamped Iraq War Protest? Just a thought.

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The Fray – Fall Away Lyrics 17 years ago
Pantalones,

If you're going to take a quote, you need to take it in context (ie; the entire sentence) so as not to get a distorted view of its meaning. In your analysis, you left out a line that entirely changes the meaning of the preceeding line.

We can agree that this person made a mistake and is having a hard time living it down. However, I don't believe that the lyrics support your statement that he must have lied about it.

The sentence says "You swear your recall nothing at all that could make you come back down." I interpret this to mean, that he (the person who made the mistake) claims to have completely gotten over his mistake, and that he doesn't even remember a thing that could make him come back down (relive or revel in his past sin/mistake). Obviously, the person is in denial about his inability to cope with his past mistakes. But, this doesn't mean that he lied about it his past error.

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The Fray – Dead Wrong Lyrics 17 years ago
That sounds like a pretty good interpretation to me. I'll go with it.

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The Fray – City Hall Lyrics 17 years ago
"The city hall in my mind
Met last night."

I think this song draws a parallel between a political system in deress (under oppression) and his opressive relationship. Factions in disagreement are in debate, as are the factions of his mind. All of this leading to his own failure to figure out what he really wants.

It also smacks of resignation and subordination to a higher power, perhaps a girl, who controls him with her whim. He's given up on determining what's best for himself, and allows the "decision on the docket" to "make up [his] mind". Meaning, the court (again with the political, legislative theme) will make his decisions for him.

"Rumors of re-election
Started to fly."

Could signify that he doesn't know whether or not he wants to renew his relationship for another "term" (as in office).

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Harvey Danger – Diminishing Returns Lyrics 17 years ago
I like to thing of this song as a look at a broken society suffering from chaotic political unrest. It ties nicely into the theme of diminishing returns, where, the more solutions that are tried ("populism, activism, urbanism ") the worse the situation becomes. People have tried praying to many "gods" but none have come to their rescue. Further effort becomes futile after the point of diminishing returns.

Yet, when a point of balance between extremes can be found, the "cooler head will prevail". So cool.

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Nerina Pallot – Sophia Lyrics 17 years ago
I listen to this song every day. We can all agree that it is amazing. But, c'mon people ; let's get down to it.

What does it really mean? Several lines in the song escape me. For example,

What do you think she means by "fire escape symphony" ?

And, another thing; it sounds to me as though she says "every word, every line a measure" - not "every word every rhyme". Some lyrics sites say "every word every time" -- but I think that's just plain wrong.

By the way, I find it fantastic that she makes "Sophia" and "It's a fire" sound almost indistinguishable.

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Ben Folds – Not The Same Lyrics 17 years ago
Okay, when I saw Ben in concert, he said something a litlte different.

He said it was about a "kid" who "climbed up in a tree at a party and stayed there tripping all night long. When he came down in the morning, he was a born again Christian".

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Jack Johnson – Lullaby Lyrics 17 years ago
I think the meaning of this song is pretty straight forward. It's so touching.

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Jack Johnson – Belle Lyrics 17 years ago
Just wanted to straighten something out.

The first line is Portuguese, not Italian. It means, "Hello, Pretty". The second is Italian, "Beautiful, what are you doing?". Third line, Spanish, "Beautiful, what's up?". Next is French, " I don't understand French".

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R.E.M. – Talk About The Passion Lyrics 17 years ago
Everyone who is interested in this song needs to check out the songmeanings.net page on "A lifetime", by Better Than Ezra. There is a direct reference to this song, and it's pretty interesting to see the connection to the crucifixtion theme.


"And that R.E.M song was playing in my mind/Three and a half minutes/Felt like a lifetime".

(Note that this song is 3:24).

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Cake – Let Me Go Lyrics 17 years ago
Personally, I don't buy that mental handicap interpretation at all. Sorry, I think that's pretty far fetched.

I can understand a few of the French lyrics, but it's pretty hard to hear. If anyone could point me towards a site with the French lyrics posted, I could translate them for you all.

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