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.
Check it out now
I work the pen to make the ink transform
On any particular surface the pen lands on
The camera stands on, what's the beef?
The Cooley High cold chief high post techniques
I drape off poetic landscapes and shapes
Illustrate the paper space off the pens that paint
Then design what have a National Geographic a magic
With Tailormade status and plus favored is automatic, uh!
We're not balling
We take it back to the days of "yes y'all-in'"
We holding onto what's golden
On a stage I rage and I'm rollin'
We're not balling or shot callin'
We take it back to the days of "yes y'all-in'"
We holding onto what's golden
On a stage I rage and I'm rollin'
Melancholy, mundane so I tame the hot flame
Big rings, fat chains, and y'all quest for the same
No name, use fame, strictly new to the thang
We stay true to the game and never bring it to shame
We tight like dreadlocks or Redd Foxx and Ripple
We pass participles, and smash the artist in you
The saga continues, this I won't get into
'Cause there ain't enough bars to hold the drama that we been through
Yo
We still the same with a little fame
A little change in the household name but ain't too much changed
We in the game but, yo not to be vain
I refrain from salt grains to season up my name
We entertain for a mutual gain from close range
Steady aim, drum at your head to hit the brain
I'm labor ready, Rhode Scholar for the dollar
Work for mines pay me by the hour
We're not balling
We take it back to the days of "yes y'all-in'"
We holding onto what's golden
On a stage I rage and I'm rollin'
We're not balling or shot callin'
We take it back to the days of "yes y'all-in'"
We holding onto what's golden
On a stage I rage and I'm rollin'
Music, that music (hip hop music)
Music, that music (hip hop music)
Music, that music (hip hop music)
Music, that music (hip hop music)
Music, that music (hip hop music) (turn it up, turn it up without a doubt)
Music, that music (hip hop music) (turn it up, turn it up without a doubt)
Music, that music (hip hop music) (turn it up, turn it up without a doubt)
Music, that music (hip hop music) (turn it up, turn it up without a doubt)
Yo
Well, it's the verbal Herman Munster
The word enhancer, sick of phony mobsters controllin' the dance floor
I been in dark places, catch you when you stark naked
Your heart races as we pump you for your chart spaces
The taut traces be bringing these hot styles through
Some of you bum a few chairs from shock value
Word power can plow through acres of cornfields
Paragraphs cut like warm steel, perform ill
We're not balling
We take it back to the days of "yes y'all-in'"
We holding onto what's golden
On a stage I rage and I'm rollin'
We're not balling or shot callin'
We take it back to the days of "yes y'all-in'"
We holding onto what's golden
On a stage I rage and I'm rollin'
I work the pen to make the ink transform
On any particular surface the pen lands on
The camera stands on, what's the beef?
The Cooley High cold chief high post techniques
I drape off poetic landscapes and shapes
Illustrate the paper space off the pens that paint
Then design what have a National Geographic a magic
With Tailormade status and plus favored is automatic, uh!
We're not balling
We take it back to the days of "yes y'all-in'"
We holding onto what's golden
On a stage I rage and I'm rollin'
We're not balling or shot callin'
We take it back to the days of "yes y'all-in'"
We holding onto what's golden
On a stage I rage and I'm rollin'
Melancholy, mundane so I tame the hot flame
Big rings, fat chains, and y'all quest for the same
No name, use fame, strictly new to the thang
We stay true to the game and never bring it to shame
We tight like dreadlocks or Redd Foxx and Ripple
We pass participles, and smash the artist in you
The saga continues, this I won't get into
'Cause there ain't enough bars to hold the drama that we been through
Yo
We still the same with a little fame
A little change in the household name but ain't too much changed
We in the game but, yo not to be vain
I refrain from salt grains to season up my name
We entertain for a mutual gain from close range
Steady aim, drum at your head to hit the brain
I'm labor ready, Rhode Scholar for the dollar
Work for mines pay me by the hour
We're not balling
We take it back to the days of "yes y'all-in'"
We holding onto what's golden
On a stage I rage and I'm rollin'
We're not balling or shot callin'
We take it back to the days of "yes y'all-in'"
We holding onto what's golden
On a stage I rage and I'm rollin'
Music, that music (hip hop music)
Music, that music (hip hop music)
Music, that music (hip hop music)
Music, that music (hip hop music)
Music, that music (hip hop music) (turn it up, turn it up without a doubt)
Music, that music (hip hop music) (turn it up, turn it up without a doubt)
Music, that music (hip hop music) (turn it up, turn it up without a doubt)
Music, that music (hip hop music) (turn it up, turn it up without a doubt)
Yo
Well, it's the verbal Herman Munster
The word enhancer, sick of phony mobsters controllin' the dance floor
I been in dark places, catch you when you stark naked
Your heart races as we pump you for your chart spaces
The taut traces be bringing these hot styles through
Some of you bum a few chairs from shock value
Word power can plow through acres of cornfields
Paragraphs cut like warm steel, perform ill
We're not balling
We take it back to the days of "yes y'all-in'"
We holding onto what's golden
On a stage I rage and I'm rollin'
We're not balling or shot callin'
We take it back to the days of "yes y'all-in'"
We holding onto what's golden
On a stage I rage and I'm rollin'
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
More Featured Meanings
Standing On The Edge Of Summer
Thursday
Thursday
Cajun Girl
Little Feat
Little Feat
Overall about difficult moments of disappointment and vulnerability. Having hope and longing, while remaining optimistic for the future. Encourages the belief that with each new morning there is a chance for things to improve.
The chorus offers a glimmer of optimism and a chance at a resolution and redemption in the future.
Captures the rollercoaster of emotions of feeling lost while loving someone who is not there for you, feeling let down and abandoned while waiting for a lover. Lost with no direction, "Now I'm up in the air with the rain in my hair, Nowhere to go, I can go anywhere"
The bridge shows signs of longing and a plea for companionship. The Lyrics express a desire for authentic connection and the importance of Loving someone just as they are. "Just in passing, I'm not asking. That you be anyone but you”
Gentle Hour
Yo La Tengo
Yo La Tengo
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,
No Surprises
Radiohead
Radiohead
Same ideas expressed in Fitter, Happier are expressed in this song. We're told to strive for some sort of ideal life, which includes getting a good job, being kind to everyone, finding a partner, getting married, having a couple kids, living in a quiet neighborhood in a nice big house, etc. But in Fitter, Happier the narrator(?) realizes that it's incredibly robotic to live this life. People are being used by those in power "like a pig in a cage on antibiotics"--being pacified with things like new phones and cool gadgets and houses while being sucked dry. On No Surprises, the narrator is realizing how this life is killing him slowly. In the video, his helmet is slowly filling up with water, drowning him. But he's so complacent with it. This is a good summary of the song. This boring, "perfect" life foisted upon us by some higher powers (not spiritual, but political, economic, etc. politicians and businessmen, perhaps) is not the way to live. But there is seemingly no way out but death. He'd rather die peacefully right now than live in this cage. While our lives are often shielded, we're in our own protective bubbles, or protective helmets like the one Thom wears, if we look a little harder we can see all the corruption, lies, manipulation, etc. that is going on in the world, often run by huge yet nearly invisible organizations, corporations, and 'leaders'. It's a very hopeless song because it reflects real life.
Just A Little Lovin'
Dusty Springfield
Dusty Springfield
I don't think it's necessarily about sex. It's about wanting to start the day with some love and affection. Maybe a warm cuddle. I'm not alone in interpreting it that way! For example:
"'Just a Little Lovin’ is a timeless country song originally recorded by Eddy Arnold in 1954. The song, written by Eddie Miller and Jimmy Campbell, explores the delicate nuances of love and showcases Arnold’s emotive vocals. It delves into the universal theme of love and how even the smallest gesture of affection can have a profound impact on our lives." https://oldtimemusic.com/the-meaning-behind-the-song-just-a-little-lovin-by-eddy-arnold/
Yeah, this song is on my Top 5 list of songs. It has a catchy chorus and doesn't matter if you can't understand all the lyrics. I had no idea what the sample said at the end of every chorus, but it didn't stop me from singing along.
I think this song is all about taking it back to the good ol' days. It's about writing good, quality rhymes. It's about getting back to what's important . . . good hip hop. "What's Golden" is good hip hop.
I think my favorite line is Chali 2na's opening, "Well, it's the verbal Herman Munster / The word enhancer, sick of phony mobsters controllin' the dance floor"