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.
I can see the glow of a distant sun
I can feel it inside
Maybe this day could be the one
I can hear the roar of a distant crowd
They are waiting for me
Calling my name
Shouting out loud
Holding on isn't always easy
I ain't gonna change my mind
Limelight you were all I ever wanted
Since it all began
Limelight shining on me
Telling the world who I am
Limelight don't let me slip right through your fingers
There's a long way to fall
After the years of waiting
I'm gonna show them all
I can see the world in a different light
Now it's easy to say
Where I went wrong
What I did right
I can hear the beat of a different drum
Take it all in my stride
Hold my head high
Second to none
Holding on wasn't always easy
Nothing can change my mind
Limelight you were all I ever wanted since it all began
Limelight shining on me telling the world who I am
Limelight don't let it slip right through your fingers
There's a long way to fall
After all the years of waiting, I'm gonna show them all
Maybe the role's not easy, maybe the prize is small
After all the years of waiting, I'm gonna show them all
I can feel it inside
Maybe this day could be the one
I can hear the roar of a distant crowd
They are waiting for me
Calling my name
Shouting out loud
Holding on isn't always easy
I ain't gonna change my mind
Limelight you were all I ever wanted
Since it all began
Limelight shining on me
Telling the world who I am
Limelight don't let me slip right through your fingers
There's a long way to fall
After the years of waiting
I'm gonna show them all
I can see the world in a different light
Now it's easy to say
Where I went wrong
What I did right
I can hear the beat of a different drum
Take it all in my stride
Hold my head high
Second to none
Holding on wasn't always easy
Nothing can change my mind
Limelight you were all I ever wanted since it all began
Limelight shining on me telling the world who I am
Limelight don't let it slip right through your fingers
There's a long way to fall
After all the years of waiting, I'm gonna show them all
Maybe the role's not easy, maybe the prize is small
After all the years of waiting, I'm gonna show them all
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Fast Car
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"Fast car" is kind of a continuation of Bruce Springsteen's "Born to Run." It has all the clawing your way to a better life, but in this case the protagonist never makes it with her love; in fact she is dragged back down by him.
There is still an amazing amount of hope and will in the lyrics; and the lyrics themselve rank and easy five. If only music was stronger it would be one of those great radio songs that you hear once a week 20 years after it was released. The imagery is almost tear-jerking ("City lights lay out before us", "Speeds so fast felt like I was drunk"), and the idea of starting from nothing and just driving and working and denigrating yourself for a chance at being just above poverty, then losing in the end is just painful and inspiring at the same time.
Gentle Hour
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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,
Blue
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Ed Sheeran
“Blue” is a song about a love that is persisting in the discomfort of the person experiencing the emotion. Ed Sheeran reflects on love lost, and although he wishes his former partner find happiness, he cannot but admit his feelings are still very much there. He expresses the realization that he might never find another on this stringed instrumental by Aaron Dessner.
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.
The Alan Parsons Project has TWO primary members, Alan Parsons and Eric Woolfson. In my opinion, Eric did much of the early creative work while Alan did the technical work. Most people who know of the Alan Parsons Project have never heard of Eric Woolfson and this is Eric's song about his desire to receive the recognition that he truly deserves.
wow! when i lisnten to this song, i always imagine someone about going on stage for the first time, but what you say, wiredcoder, makes a lot of sence to me! is that your interpretation or you read it anywhere? that sounds pretty...sad....(btw, mr woolfson has all my recognition! in the project as a singer and composer, and as a solo artist too!!)
I don't know if I'd read that into it. Eric later used this very song in a musical (Gambler) and it was used as you might imagine - a character basking in the spotlight and the roar of the crowd.
This song was also sung at the Olympics ('88, I think).
But there is no doubt that Eric Woolfson understood the craving for attention - probably why he started doing musicals. Did he 'show them all'? Well... Sorta. :)
Still though, if you don't read into this too much, I do see this as a song about recognition and attention. There is little to compare with being on stage and commanding a crowd's attention. It's a dream (secret or not) that most people share to one degree or another.
And this was a song that particularly spoke to me when I was a young musician. I dreamed of the day when I would face the crowd without fear, with total confidence and entertain them all. I used to sing this song from the heart long before that day happened.