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 feel no pain
'cause I'm an island
I will remain
In the deafness of your silence
I love you sometimes
Always never
He said you're here
Here with me now
I feel no gain
When you're around me
I'll try again
In the darkness you astound me
It's growing cold
I'm growing old
Is this the only way to see the fire?
It's raining
'cause I'm an island
I will remain
In the deafness of your silence
I love you sometimes
Always never
He said you're here
Here with me now
I feel no gain
When you're around me
I'll try again
In the darkness you astound me
It's growing cold
I'm growing old
Is this the only way to see the fire?
It's raining
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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,
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Ed Sheeran
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I feel that this song is about a love which has gone and is hopeless. The narrator is wondering in his own delusion and has lost connection with reality because he is really wanting to rekindle a love which can never exist.
@dranthonyc Yes. They probably don't speak anymore, and when are around, the narrator knows the connection they had is somehow gone. But it's growing old, the pain has faded. Only the delusion of them loving each other remains as a memory, and the dissonance of reality, maybe even narrator's own confusion.. I think that's what the oxymoron is about.