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.
Well the animals laugh
From the dark of the wilderness
A baby cries hard
In an apartment complex
As I pass in a car
Buried under the influence
The cities driving me out
of my mind
I've seen a child he's caught
In the sad trap of gravity
He falls from the lowest
Branch of the apple tree
And lands in the grass
And weeps for his dignity
Next time he will not aim so high
Yeah, next time neither will I
Now, a mother takes loans out
Sends her kids off to colleges
Her family's reduced
To names on a shopping list
While a coroner kneels
Beneath the great wooden crucifix
He knows there's worse things than being
Alone.
And so I've learned to retreat
At the first sign of danger
I mean, why wait around if
It's just to surrender
And ambition I've found
Can lead only to failure
I do not read the reviews
No I am not singing for you
(Woo)
Well I stood droppin' a coin
Into the pit of a well
And I would throw my whole billfold
If I thought it would help
With all these wishes I make
I should buy something real
At least a telephone
Call home
Well my teachers they built
This retaining wall of memory
All those multiple choices
I answered so quickly
And got my grades back
And forgot just as easily
But at least I got an A
And so I don't have them to blame
Well I should stop pointing fingers
Reserve my judgment
Of all those public action figures
And cowboy presidents
So loud behind the bull-horns
So proud they can't admit
When they've made a mistake
While poison ink spews
From a speech writers pen
He knows he don't have to say it
So it don't bother him
Honesty accuracy
It's just popular opinion
And the approval ratings high
And so someone's gonna die
Well ABC NBC CBS bullshit
They give us fact or fiction
I guess an even split
And each new act of war's tonight's entertainment
We're still the pawns in their game
As they take eye for an eye
Until no one can see
We must stumble blindly forward
Repeating history
Well I guess we all fit into that slogan
On your fast food marquee
Red blooded white skinned and oh the blues
Oh and the blues I got the blues that's me
Well I awoke in relief
My sheets and tubes were all tangled
Weak from whiskey and pills
In a Chicago hospital
And my father was there
In a chair by the window
Starin' so far away
I tried talking just whispered
So sorry so selfish
He stopped me and said
Child, I love you regardless
There nothing you could do
That would ever change this
I'm not angry, it happens
But you just can't do it again
And so now I try to keep up
I been exchanging my currency
While a million objects
Pass though my periphery
Now I'm rubbin' my eyes
'Cause they're starting to bother me
I been staring too long at the screen
But where was it when I first heard
That sweet sound of humility
It came to my ears in the
Goddamned loveliest melody
How grateful I was then
To be part of the mystery
To love and to be loved
Lets just hope that is enough
From the dark of the wilderness
A baby cries hard
In an apartment complex
As I pass in a car
Buried under the influence
The cities driving me out
of my mind
I've seen a child he's caught
In the sad trap of gravity
He falls from the lowest
Branch of the apple tree
And lands in the grass
And weeps for his dignity
Next time he will not aim so high
Yeah, next time neither will I
Now, a mother takes loans out
Sends her kids off to colleges
Her family's reduced
To names on a shopping list
While a coroner kneels
Beneath the great wooden crucifix
He knows there's worse things than being
Alone.
And so I've learned to retreat
At the first sign of danger
I mean, why wait around if
It's just to surrender
And ambition I've found
Can lead only to failure
I do not read the reviews
No I am not singing for you
(Woo)
Well I stood droppin' a coin
Into the pit of a well
And I would throw my whole billfold
If I thought it would help
With all these wishes I make
I should buy something real
At least a telephone
Call home
Well my teachers they built
This retaining wall of memory
All those multiple choices
I answered so quickly
And got my grades back
And forgot just as easily
But at least I got an A
And so I don't have them to blame
Well I should stop pointing fingers
Reserve my judgment
Of all those public action figures
And cowboy presidents
So loud behind the bull-horns
So proud they can't admit
When they've made a mistake
While poison ink spews
From a speech writers pen
He knows he don't have to say it
So it don't bother him
Honesty accuracy
It's just popular opinion
And the approval ratings high
And so someone's gonna die
Well ABC NBC CBS bullshit
They give us fact or fiction
I guess an even split
And each new act of war's tonight's entertainment
We're still the pawns in their game
As they take eye for an eye
Until no one can see
We must stumble blindly forward
Repeating history
Well I guess we all fit into that slogan
On your fast food marquee
Red blooded white skinned and oh the blues
Oh and the blues I got the blues that's me
Well I awoke in relief
My sheets and tubes were all tangled
Weak from whiskey and pills
In a Chicago hospital
And my father was there
In a chair by the window
Starin' so far away
I tried talking just whispered
So sorry so selfish
He stopped me and said
Child, I love you regardless
There nothing you could do
That would ever change this
I'm not angry, it happens
But you just can't do it again
And so now I try to keep up
I been exchanging my currency
While a million objects
Pass though my periphery
Now I'm rubbin' my eyes
'Cause they're starting to bother me
I been staring too long at the screen
But where was it when I first heard
That sweet sound of humility
It came to my ears in the
Goddamned loveliest melody
How grateful I was then
To be part of the mystery
To love and to be loved
Lets just hope that is enough
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
Son Şansın - Şarkı Sözleri
Hayalperest
Hayalperest
This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere.
In general, it highlights the danger of hidden agendas, manipulation, and distraction, serving as a critique of those who exploit chaos and confusion to control and gain power, depicting a cautionary tale against falling into their traps. It encourages us to question the narratives presented to us and remain vigilant against manipulation in various parts of society.
Gentle Hour
Yo La Tengo
Yo La Tengo
This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
Magical
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
How would you describe the feeling of being in love? For Ed Sheeran, the word is “Magical.” in HIS three-minute album opener, he makes an attempt to capture the beauty and delicacy of true love with words. He describes the magic of it all over a bright Pop song produced by Aaron Dessner.
Head > Heels
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Head > Heels” is a track that aims to capture what it feels like to experience romance that exceeds expectations. Ed Sheeran dedicates his album outro to a lover who has blessed him with a unique experience that he seeks to describe through the song’s nuanced lyrics.
no, this isn't the first song about failed suicide attempts.