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.
Gonna stay out of New York
There's something there that drives me crazy
Gonna stay out of New York
There's something there that bleeds me dry
It gets so bad that I stop breathin'
And then the sun don't wanna shine
There's something wrong with New York
It's a prison without walls
No I won't go back there
I just don't like that place at all
You might call it sophistication
But I say time is runnin' out
I won't go back to New York
There's a darkness all around
No, I just can't handle it
You know that place is gettin' me down
You can say it's sophistication
But I say time is runnin' out
There's something there that drives me crazy
Gonna stay out of New York
There's something there that bleeds me dry
It gets so bad that I stop breathin'
And then the sun don't wanna shine
There's something wrong with New York
It's a prison without walls
No I won't go back there
I just don't like that place at all
You might call it sophistication
But I say time is runnin' out
I won't go back to New York
There's a darkness all around
No, I just can't handle it
You know that place is gettin' me down
You can say it's sophistication
But I say time is runnin' out
Lyrics submitted by oofus
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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.
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This song is written as the perspective of the boys in the street, as a whole, and what path they are going to choose as they get older and grow into men. (This is why the music video takes place in an orphanage.) The seen, and unseen collective suffering is imbedded in the boys’ mind, consciously or subconsciously, and is haunting them. Which path will the boys choose? Issac Hayes is the voice of reason, maybe God, the angel on his shoulder, or the voice of his forefathers from beyond the grave who can see the big picture and are pleading with the boys not to continue the violence and pattern of killing their brothers, but to rise above. The most beautiful song and has so many levels. Racism towards African Americans in America would not exist if everyone sat down and listened to this song and understood the history behind the words. The power, fear, pleading in RZA and Ghostface voices are genuine and powerful. Issac Hayes’ strong voice makes the perfect strong father figure, who is possibly from beyond the grave.
The song came about after Bob Welch and Fleetwood Mac found New York City too busy for their liking. There wasn't anything political about it but it did point out there was something spiritually wrong about the place they could feel. This came at a time when Welch and his bandmates were going through a transition that didn't come easy. As a songwriter, Welch was deeply sensitive to so many issues that were going around him. That was obvious when he realized his medical condition wasn't going to get any better. In his frame of logic, he thought ending his own life was a better alternative than burdening his life. Little did he know four years later she'd join him in the grave.
New York City has always been a busy place. For people who prefer a calmer environment, that's not the city to go to. Welch realized this while he was there. Also, keep in mind Welch was into the paranormal. If you want a city loaded with an occult-like vibe, New York has an abundance of it. Welch could feel that, which came through loud and clear in his lyrics.
New York City is more than just a city. History continually demonstrates that. Is it an evil place? Demographics don't make a place evil. Misguided people with distorted values do.