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'd like to start this week without a headache
To go to sleep and have this with me
It seems as if it's never-ending
Why I have this much free time is beyond me
From now on, I'm done writing letters
With words and rhymes that do read clever
At least enough for thoughts still pending
Why I have this much free time
That's what I'm questioning
You have every right to explain
Still, it is hard to hear you say
That inevitable thing
That you're out of your element
The hardest part is you know it
That you're out of your element
Whether or not you were just kidding
About when this would all be ending
If we were stock, I would be selling
Why do you have to say such lines?
When you know it depresses me
You have every right to explain
Still, it is hard to hear you say
That inevitable thing
That you're out of your element
The hardest part is you know it
That you're out of your element
To go to sleep and have this with me
It seems as if it's never-ending
Why I have this much free time is beyond me
From now on, I'm done writing letters
With words and rhymes that do read clever
At least enough for thoughts still pending
Why I have this much free time
That's what I'm questioning
You have every right to explain
Still, it is hard to hear you say
That inevitable thing
That you're out of your element
The hardest part is you know it
That you're out of your element
Whether or not you were just kidding
About when this would all be ending
If we were stock, I would be selling
Why do you have to say such lines?
When you know it depresses me
You have every right to explain
Still, it is hard to hear you say
That inevitable thing
That you're out of your element
The hardest part is you know it
That you're out of your element
Lyrics submitted by blinkingeights, edited by embassyrow
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hmm, well, my complete cynically bitchy self would assume that this song means the person has a "significant other" (dorky side right there, man.) that says one thing - and does another thing. as in, the polar opposite of what the person says. and the person says that they are out of their element (ie, i don't want commitment.) and they want out. and the person assumes they will be theirs, even if it takes a small while - but no, that person dates somebody who supposedly doesn't need "commitment."
yeah.
or maybe it just seems that way to me because i'm in a situation EXACTLY like this! ha! ha! hah!
-psychotic-
This song is about giving up on writing "pretty" lyrics/ having writer's block.
"I'm done writing letters with words and rhymes that do read clever." The chorus is talking to another person. It says that, yes, even though you have the right to say what you want, I don't want to hear you say that I am 'out of my element', because I already know this.
"whether or not you were just kidding about when this would all be ending" is about the second person asking the singer when he would get out of his writer's block. the next line is "if we were stock i would be selling." This basically means that it is not going to get better soon, and I know this.
Koufax has some of the best, most realistic lyrics I have ever heard. Most of the lyrics on this album relate to relationships with bandmates and friends, and not so much girlfriends.
isn't the lyric:
"if we were stock, I would be selling"
as opposed to "if we were stuck..."
at least, it makes a lot more sense that way.