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.
Oh hello
I am the ghost of Troubled Joe
Hung by his pretty white neck
Some eighteen months ago
I travelled to a mystical time zone
And I missed my bed
And I soon came home
They said "There's too much caffeine
In your bloodstream
And a lack of real spice in your life"
I said "Leave me alone
Because I'm alright, dad
Surprised to still be on my own"
Oh, but don't mention love
I'd hate the strain of the pain again
A rush and a push and the land that
We stand on is ours
It has been before
So it shall be again
And people who are uglier than you and I
They take what they need, and just leave
Oh, but don't mention love
I'd hate the pain of the strain all over again
A rush and a push and the land that
We stand on is ours
It has been before
So why can't it be now?
And people who are weaker than you and I
They take what they want from life
Oh, but don't mention love
No, no, don't mention love
A rush and a push and the land that
We stand on is ours
Your youth may be gone
But you're still a young man
So phone me, phone me
So phone me, phone me, phone me
Oh, I think I'm in love
Oh, I think I'm in love
Oh, I think I'm in love (think I'm in love)
Oh, I think I'm in love
I am the ghost of Troubled Joe
Hung by his pretty white neck
Some eighteen months ago
I travelled to a mystical time zone
And I missed my bed
And I soon came home
They said "There's too much caffeine
In your bloodstream
And a lack of real spice in your life"
I said "Leave me alone
Because I'm alright, dad
Surprised to still be on my own"
Oh, but don't mention love
I'd hate the strain of the pain again
A rush and a push and the land that
We stand on is ours
It has been before
So it shall be again
And people who are uglier than you and I
They take what they need, and just leave
Oh, but don't mention love
I'd hate the pain of the strain all over again
A rush and a push and the land that
We stand on is ours
It has been before
So why can't it be now?
And people who are weaker than you and I
They take what they want from life
Oh, but don't mention love
No, no, don't mention love
A rush and a push and the land that
We stand on is ours
Your youth may be gone
But you're still a young man
So phone me, phone me
So phone me, phone me, phone me
Oh, I think I'm in love
Oh, I think I'm in love
Oh, I think I'm in love (think I'm in love)
Oh, I think I'm in love
Lyrics submitted by Idan, edited by Mellow_Harsher, richardgmp
A Rush and a Push and the Land Is Ours Lyrics as written by Steven Patrick Morrissey Johnny Marr
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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In my opinion this song is about a time he left home, couldn't cope, and then came back. His parents are concerned that he's not happy, and he tells them 'no, I'm fine really', although inside he's particularly cut up about the fact he can't find love, although there is someone he's in love with from a far who he's too nervous to tell (phone me, phone me, phone me). If he was a bit stronger (like those people who take what they want from life), then he would be able to do it himself. The rush and a push are a nod to his Irish heritage, and represent him being stronger, and 'taking the land', which unfortunately, he's not able to do because of weakness or insecurity.
@mjbarks This is sort of approaching my take on this song. I think it's more or less about a young adult who left home but then something happened and he had to return home to live with his parents for a time. I've been in that situation myself a couple times so it may very well be projection, but I think even if the narrative is off, we are thematically in the ballpark.