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.
Love and hate was in the air
Like pollen from a flower
Somewhere in April time
They add another hour
I guess I better think up a way to spend my time
Just when I'm ready to sit inside, it's summertime
Should I go swimming or get a friend to hang around
It's back to summer, it's back to basics, hang around
Getting drunk out on the beach
Or playing in a band
And getting out of school
Meant getting out of hand
Was this your celebrated summer?
Was that your celebrated summer?
Was this your celebrated summer?
Then the sun disintegrates
Between a wall of clouds
I summer where I winter at
No one is allowed there
Do you remember when the first snowfall fell?
When summer barely had a snowball's chance in hell?
Was this your celebrated summer?
Was this your celebrated summer?
Was this your celebrated summer?
Do you remember when the first snowfall fell?
Was that your celebrated summer?
Like pollen from a flower
Somewhere in April time
They add another hour
I guess I better think up a way to spend my time
Just when I'm ready to sit inside, it's summertime
Should I go swimming or get a friend to hang around
It's back to summer, it's back to basics, hang around
Getting drunk out on the beach
Or playing in a band
And getting out of school
Meant getting out of hand
Was this your celebrated summer?
Was that your celebrated summer?
Was this your celebrated summer?
Then the sun disintegrates
Between a wall of clouds
I summer where I winter at
No one is allowed there
Do you remember when the first snowfall fell?
When summer barely had a snowball's chance in hell?
Was this your celebrated summer?
Was this your celebrated summer?
Was this your celebrated summer?
Do you remember when the first snowfall fell?
Was that your celebrated summer?
Lyrics submitted by GoKillMice, edited by elwyn5150
Celebrated Summer Lyrics as written by Robert Arthur Mould
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
"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.
Holiday
Bee Gees
Bee Gees
@[Diderik:33655] "Your a holiday!" Was a popular term used in the 50s/60s to compliment someone on their all around. For example, not only are they beautiful, but they are fun and kind too ... just an all around "holiday".
I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
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/
Blue
Ed Sheeran
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.
I think it's a little more complex than a song about weather. Mould is using the seasons as a metaphor for the progress of a person's life, specifically the transition from childhood to adolescence (spring to summer right at the beginning of the song), summer being the exciting, tumultuous adolescence - everyone rushing from one carefree and fun activity to the next - finally the song culminating with the end of summer - the end of carefree youth represented by the first snowfall and the transition to the seriousness and somber attitude of adulthood represented by winter (of course winter is emblematic of death which is implied to be the only stage left after the transition to adulthood)
Anyway that's my two cents... could be wrong
I've somewhat recently gotten into Husker Du, and while I learned to appreciate their stuff a good bit, once I heard this song I was speechless.
This is the kind of song that is so beautiful it will change somebodies life. Wow.
@mtj027 Yeah I think I get what you’re saying. Husker Du didn’t hit me as immediately as, say, The replacements. Or maybe The Ramones is a more apt comparison; the Ramones have a 60s/surf/bubblegum vibe to a lot of their songs/sound, and I feel like they share quite a bit to how the rhythm guitars are played, of course Husker covered Sheena, a fitting cover. As was Eight Miles High, but the Byrds’ comparison I’ll save for another time. The driving/ buzzing guitars notwithstanding, Husker has a more bittersweet sound than, say, the Ramones’ bubblegum, I think Mould’s songs are like that, anyway, and sometimes it just knocks me on my ass. Celebrated Summer is one of those moments/songs.
this song si so innocant . the music and the lyrics work so well. its like watching a film of there life(getting drunk out on a beach or playing in a band) one of my favs
To me, this song is just about taking things for granted, and not realizing what you have (that is, celebrating it) until it is gone.
I think it's pretty clear that this song is about Summer and how it ends. Minnesota (Husker Du's home state) winters are cold, so I guess summer is a precious thing there.
It's a killer when this song breaks down in the middle for the acoustic part. "then the sun disintegrates between a wall of clouds". Being from Minneapolis I believe Effect is right on the money. 3 months of good weather out of the year and Summer becomes a very precious commodity in Minnesota where each warm day you try to make the most out of it.
@cmckinley I believe that’s PART of the song’s “meaning”, the preciousness/importance/stress (STRESS<br /> is a good adjective for this post; has double<br /> Meaning here) people - Older people, those in positions<br /> Of authority, those who have the power to “add another hour” to the day (so that it can be used against you yet again, as in, “Daylight savings time isn’t a THING just so you’ll have another hour to waste every day”. GTFO of the house”) - place upon warmer weather, so that it becomes just another thing your parents make you do. <br /> <br /> “Was THIS your (so-called) ‘Celebrated<br /> Summer’?!?…Pfftttt. All hype…
Mould is from Malone, NY not Minnesota. But from your descriptions of the weather, it sounds about the same. Lots of snow. Little sun. Gotta appreciate it while you can.
Mould was born in Malone, NY but he also lived in Minnesota
This song was potentially the inspiration for Buffalo Tom some ten years late in 'Summer'. Starmarket wrote a similar song and they're Swedish. It also influential upon a lot of 90's era emo songwriting themes about seasons, before that whole scene became corny.
i have absolutely nothing of use to add. i mean, good things end. the opening riff to this, teen age riot, bastards of young, marquee moon, one more hour, etc... make me cum. unfortunately, riffs end.