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.
Well, my soul checked out missing as I sat listening
To the hours and minutes tickin' away
Yeah, just sittin' around waitin' for my life to begin
While it was all just slippin' away
And I'm tired of waitin' for tomorrow to come
Or that train to come roarin' round the bend
I got a new suit of clothes and a pretty red rose
And a woman I can call my friend
These are better days, baby
Yeah, there's better days shining through
These are better days, baby
Better days with a girl like you
Well, I took a piss at fortune's sweet kiss
It's like eatin' caviar and dirt
It's a sad funny ending to find yourself pretending
A rich man in a poor man's shirt
Now my ass was draggin' when from a passin' gypsy wagon
Your heart like a diamond shone
Tonight I'm layin' in your arms carvin' lucky charms
Out of these hard luck bones
These are better days, baby
These are better days it true
These are better days, baby
There's better days shining through
Now a life of leisure and pirate's treasure
Don't make much for tragedy
But it's a sad man my friend who's livin' in his own skin
And can't stand the company
Every fool's got a reason for feelin' sorry for himself
And turning his heart to stone
Tonight this fool's halfway to heaven and just a mile outta hell
And I feel like I'm comin' home
These are better days, baby
There's better days shining through
These are better days, baby
Better days with a girl like you
These are better days, baby
These are better days it's true
These are better days, baby
Better days are shining through
These are better days, baby
Are better days it's true
These are better days, baby
Better days are shining through
These are better days, baby
Are better days it's true
These are better days, baby
Better days are shining through
To the hours and minutes tickin' away
Yeah, just sittin' around waitin' for my life to begin
While it was all just slippin' away
And I'm tired of waitin' for tomorrow to come
Or that train to come roarin' round the bend
I got a new suit of clothes and a pretty red rose
And a woman I can call my friend
These are better days, baby
Yeah, there's better days shining through
These are better days, baby
Better days with a girl like you
Well, I took a piss at fortune's sweet kiss
It's like eatin' caviar and dirt
It's a sad funny ending to find yourself pretending
A rich man in a poor man's shirt
Now my ass was draggin' when from a passin' gypsy wagon
Your heart like a diamond shone
Tonight I'm layin' in your arms carvin' lucky charms
Out of these hard luck bones
These are better days, baby
These are better days it true
These are better days, baby
There's better days shining through
Now a life of leisure and pirate's treasure
Don't make much for tragedy
But it's a sad man my friend who's livin' in his own skin
And can't stand the company
Every fool's got a reason for feelin' sorry for himself
And turning his heart to stone
Tonight this fool's halfway to heaven and just a mile outta hell
And I feel like I'm comin' home
These are better days, baby
There's better days shining through
These are better days, baby
Better days with a girl like you
These are better days, baby
These are better days it's true
These are better days, baby
Better days are shining through
These are better days, baby
Are better days it's true
These are better days, baby
Better days are shining through
These are better days, baby
Are better days it's true
These are better days, baby
Better days are shining through
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It's about how Patti saved him from himself. He felt like a worthless phony because of the enormous gap between his image as a ordinary working class guy and the reality that he was filthy rich and free of many of the cares he sang about. Patti rescued him from the hell of his self loathing and he realises he is on his way to happiness which it turns out is not so far away, in fact it's just a mile or two out of hell. Lyrically its one his best. The honesty about himself utterly charming and anyone who has ever disliked themselves for any reason will understand the emotions behind it.
This is probably my favorite verse of any song out there. It really touches home.
Well my soul checked out missing as I sat listening To the hours and minutes tickin' away Yeah, just sittin' around waitin' for my life to begin While it was all just slippin' away. I'm tired of waitin' for tomorrow to come Or that train to come roarin' 'round the bend
Simple song, what's not to understand?
A man who spent so much of his life chasing false hopes and dreams, and spent the better part of the time just "waiting for my life to begin," while the world slipped from him slowly.
It would be appropriate to guess that this is a middle aged man. Anyway, he met a woman who just stole his heart, and she led him to the life he was waiting for.
It's almost advice to those who would do the same thing.
This is possibly my favorite song by "The Boss". I love the line he uses to describe that bitter sweet feeling. "It's like eatin' caviar and dirt" this man is a poet who can manuplate words to make anyone feel a strong emotion, this is a rare combination with good music making him a truley wonderful muscian.
A guy who waited for a girl to find him. Then decided to go after women. "It's like eatin' caviar and dirt" Finnaly he finds his girl. Warns others not to get down and give up.
I like this song, it's not just hopeful and ultimately optimistic but also carries a warning for lethargy.
Great song
Always thought this was autobiographical about the time when he realized his love for Patti
Good song. One of the few on an average album.