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.
If you leave, don't leave now
Please don't take my heart away
Promise me just one more night
Then we'll go our separate ways
We've always had time on our sides
But now it's fading fast
Every second
Every moment
We've got to, we've gotta make it last
I touch you once, I touch you twice
I won't let go at any price
I need you now like I needed you then
You always said we'd still be friends someday
If you leave
I won't cry
I won't waste one single day
But if you leave, don't look back
I'll be running the other way
Seven years went under the bridge
Like time was standing still
Heaven knows what happens now
You've got to, you've gotta say you will
I touch you once, I touch you twice
I won't let go at any price
I need you now like I need you then
You always said we'd meet again
(Oh)
I touch you once, I touch you twice
I won't let go at any price
I need you now like I need you then
You always said we'd still be friends
I touch you once, I touch you twice
I won't let go at any price
I need you now like I need you then
You always said we'd meet again someday
If you leave
Oh, if you leave
Oh, if you leave
Don't look back
Don't look back
Please don't take my heart away
Promise me just one more night
Then we'll go our separate ways
We've always had time on our sides
But now it's fading fast
Every second
Every moment
We've got to, we've gotta make it last
I touch you once, I touch you twice
I won't let go at any price
I need you now like I needed you then
You always said we'd still be friends someday
If you leave
I won't cry
I won't waste one single day
But if you leave, don't look back
I'll be running the other way
Seven years went under the bridge
Like time was standing still
Heaven knows what happens now
You've got to, you've gotta say you will
I touch you once, I touch you twice
I won't let go at any price
I need you now like I need you then
You always said we'd meet again
(Oh)
I touch you once, I touch you twice
I won't let go at any price
I need you now like I need you then
You always said we'd still be friends
I touch you once, I touch you twice
I won't let go at any price
I need you now like I need you then
You always said we'd meet again someday
If you leave
Oh, if you leave
Oh, if you leave
Don't look back
Don't look back
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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,
Amazing
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“Plastic Bag” is a song about searching for an escape from personal problems and hoping to find it in the lively atmosphere of a Saturday night party. Ed Sheeran tells the story of his friend and the myriad of troubles he is going through. Unable to find any solutions, this friend seeks a last resort in a party and the vanity that comes with it.
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I think what the song writer is trying to say with his lyrics is that he doesn't want his relationship to end, but if she does leave, then they can't be friends. They crossed a line that they cannot cross back and act like nothing big happened other than friendship. This is so very true and I can definately relate!