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.
Hangman, hangman, hold it a little while,
Think I see my friends comin',
Ridin many a mile.
A-friends, did you get some silver?
Did you get a little gold?
What did you bring me, my dear friends,
Keep me from the Gallows Pole?
What did you bring me
Keep me from the Gallows Pole?
I couldn't get no silver, I couldn't get no gold,
You know that we're too damn poor
To keep you from the Gallows Pole.
Hangman, hangman, hold it a little while,
I think I see my brother comin',
Ridin many a mile.
Mm-brother, did you get me some silver?
Ah, dya get a little gold?
A-what did you bring me, my brother,
Keep me from the Gallows Pole?
Brother, I brought you some silver, yeah,
I brought a little gold,
I brought a little of ev'ry thing
To keep you from the Gallows Pole.
Yes, I brought you
To keep you from the Gallows Pole.
Hangman, hangman, turn your head awhile,
I think I see my sister coming,
Ridin' many a mile, mile, mile, mile.
Sister, I implore you, take him by the hand,
Take him to some shady bower,
Save me from the wrath of this man,
Please take him,
Save me from the wrath of this mad-man.
Hangman, hangman, upon your face a smile,
Pray tell me that I'm free to ride,
Ride for many a mile, mile, mile.
Oh, yes, you got a fine sister,
She warmed my blood from cold,
She warmed my blood to boiling hot
To keep you from the Gallows Pole,
Pole, pole, pole, yeah yeah.
'brother brought me silver,
And your sister warmed my soul,
But now I laugh and pull so hard
And see you swinging on my Gallows Pole, yeah. -
Think I see my friends comin',
Ridin many a mile.
A-friends, did you get some silver?
Did you get a little gold?
What did you bring me, my dear friends,
Keep me from the Gallows Pole?
What did you bring me
Keep me from the Gallows Pole?
I couldn't get no silver, I couldn't get no gold,
You know that we're too damn poor
To keep you from the Gallows Pole.
Hangman, hangman, hold it a little while,
I think I see my brother comin',
Ridin many a mile.
Mm-brother, did you get me some silver?
Ah, dya get a little gold?
A-what did you bring me, my brother,
Keep me from the Gallows Pole?
Brother, I brought you some silver, yeah,
I brought a little gold,
I brought a little of ev'ry thing
To keep you from the Gallows Pole.
Yes, I brought you
To keep you from the Gallows Pole.
Hangman, hangman, turn your head awhile,
I think I see my sister coming,
Ridin' many a mile, mile, mile, mile.
Sister, I implore you, take him by the hand,
Take him to some shady bower,
Save me from the wrath of this man,
Please take him,
Save me from the wrath of this mad-man.
Hangman, hangman, upon your face a smile,
Pray tell me that I'm free to ride,
Ride for many a mile, mile, mile.
Oh, yes, you got a fine sister,
She warmed my blood from cold,
She warmed my blood to boiling hot
To keep you from the Gallows Pole,
Pole, pole, pole, yeah yeah.
'brother brought me silver,
And your sister warmed my soul,
But now I laugh and pull so hard
And see you swinging on my Gallows Pole, yeah. -
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Standing On The Edge Of Summer
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Cajun Girl
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Overall about difficult moments of disappointment and vulnerability. Having hope and longing, while remaining optimistic for the future. Encourages the belief that with each new morning there is a chance for things to improve.
The chorus offers a glimmer of optimism and a chance at a resolution and redemption in the future.
Captures the rollercoaster of emotions of feeling lost while loving someone who is not there for you, feeling let down and abandoned while waiting for a lover. Lost with no direction, "Now I'm up in the air with the rain in my hair, Nowhere to go, I can go anywhere"
The bridge shows signs of longing and a plea for companionship. The Lyrics express a desire for authentic connection and the importance of Loving someone just as they are. "Just in passing, I'm not asking. That you be anyone but you”
No Surprises
Radiohead
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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.
Just A Little Lovin'
Dusty Springfield
Dusty Springfield
I don't think it's necessarily about sex. It's about wanting to start the day with some love and affection. Maybe a warm cuddle. I'm not alone in interpreting it that way! For example:
"'Just a Little Lovin’ is a timeless country song originally recorded by Eddy Arnold in 1954. The song, written by Eddie Miller and Jimmy Campbell, explores the delicate nuances of love and showcases Arnold’s emotive vocals. It delves into the universal theme of love and how even the smallest gesture of affection can have a profound impact on our lives." https://oldtimemusic.com/the-meaning-behind-the-song-just-a-little-lovin-by-eddy-arnold/
Damn this is an excellent song. Can't believe it hasn't been commented on yet. Awesome rhythm and sound. It's cool to have a story in a song and Zeppelin is awesome for that. Even if not a story, for painting an excellent picture in your mind. The story/picture of this song is great. Sucks he still ends up getting hung anyway. Still adds to the song though. Excellent, plain and simple.