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.
The annointed one - fathers favorite son
Now we see, long before the race, you'd already won
Oh beautified, with the softest eyes
These days I can't escape your face, do you remember mind?
Oh, it haunts me
Ooh, what a fool I must have been
We saw red, not green, when we were nineteen
Now something's different
Something happened, somewhere therebetween
By the river's bend
Did I misapprehend your intentions
Or is it that you have changed, friend?
Oh, it haunts me
Ooh, how could I not have seen what you'd become?
But you fooled everyone
Lace curtains in our slum
You were the annointed one
Watching you grow with the pride of a friend
Kissing off school - there were rules to be bent
Knelt by your side through our crises of faith
Mine was on time, but for you it was already too late
In the capitol, with your freezer full
Do you represent your district, or your daddy's will?
Oh, it haunts me
Ooh, how could I not have seen what you'd become?
But you fooled everyone
Lace curtains in our slum
You were the annointed one
Now we see, long before the race, you'd already won
Oh beautified, with the softest eyes
These days I can't escape your face, do you remember mind?
Oh, it haunts me
Ooh, what a fool I must have been
We saw red, not green, when we were nineteen
Now something's different
Something happened, somewhere therebetween
By the river's bend
Did I misapprehend your intentions
Or is it that you have changed, friend?
Oh, it haunts me
Ooh, how could I not have seen what you'd become?
But you fooled everyone
Lace curtains in our slum
You were the annointed one
Watching you grow with the pride of a friend
Kissing off school - there were rules to be bent
Knelt by your side through our crises of faith
Mine was on time, but for you it was already too late
In the capitol, with your freezer full
Do you represent your district, or your daddy's will?
Oh, it haunts me
Ooh, how could I not have seen what you'd become?
But you fooled everyone
Lace curtains in our slum
You were the annointed one
Lyrics submitted by knifefight
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Tracy Chapman
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"Fast car" is kind of a continuation of Bruce Springsteen's "Born to Run." It has all the clawing your way to a better life, but in this case the protagonist never makes it with her love; in fact she is dragged back down by him.
There is still an amazing amount of hope and will in the lyrics; and the lyrics themselve rank and easy five. If only music was stronger it would be one of those great radio songs that you hear once a week 20 years after it was released. The imagery is almost tear-jerking ("City lights lay out before us", "Speeds so fast felt like I was drunk"), and the idea of starting from nothing and just driving and working and denigrating yourself for a chance at being just above poverty, then losing in the end is just painful and inspiring at the same time.
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Hayalperest
Hayalperest
This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere.
In general, it highlights the danger of hidden agendas, manipulation, and distraction, serving as a critique of those who exploit chaos and confusion to control and gain power, depicting a cautionary tale against falling into their traps. It encourages us to question the narratives presented to us and remain vigilant against manipulation in various parts of society.
Holiday
Bee Gees
Bee Gees
@[Diderik:33655] "Your a holiday!" Was a popular term used in the 50s/60s to compliment someone on their all around. For example, not only are they beautiful, but they are fun and kind too ... just an all around "holiday".
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.
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,
Anyone else see this song as a semi-reference to G.W. Bush? I'm not saying the whole song is about hime, but certain lines do lend themselves to him.
ya, my girlfriend is convinced it's all about him. I'd believe it. but it's probably a double-meaning one. There's a song , I can't remember, but it feels like there are parallels being drawn between two different things so as to not have to go either way.
The song does have some references that seem to George Bush, but that is just by coincidence. The song is actually about Ted Leo's roomate in college, now New Jersey congressman, Mike Ferguson.
I don't get the line: "Ooh, what a fool I must have been We saw red, not green, when we were nineteen Now something's different" What does that mean? Ted leo rocks, and so does this song
I don't get the line: "Ooh, what a fool I must have been We saw red, not green, when we were nineteen Now something's different" What does that mean? Ted leo rocks, and so does this song
Any thoughts on the possibility of this song being about Jesus and Christianity??? "Father's Favorite Son..."???
I think that this song is about God and the problems that people have with God... (i.e. all the poor and hungry in the world) ("In the capitol, with your freezer full...")
Or George Bush... I can see that... George Bush would like to think he is the Christ! What an asshole!
I agree with the whole Bush, Jesus, Ferguson meanings and I also agree with the fact that it probably has loads of double meanings because Ted does that. But, er, does anyone else get the impression from his repetoire that Ted might be bi, or am I on crack?
As stated above, this is about Mike Ferguson, the current Congressman (R) from New Jersey. While double-meanings are possible, it fits the profile of Ferguson very well. Leo's anger is understandable considering his political alignment, and his apparent feeling of betrayal by Ferguson, as evidenced here:
"Did I misapprehend your intentions Or is it that you have changed, friend?"
It's clear from following lines that he and Ferguson (roommates at Notre Dame, as mentioned above) were close:
"Watching you grow with the pride of a friend Kissing off school - there were rules to be bent Knelt by your side through our crises of faith..."
The critical line of this song, the crux of Leo's issue with Ferguson, isn't that Ferguson has forgotten him, but Ferguson's political motives:
"In the capitol, with your freezer full Do you represent your district, or your daddy's will?"
As stated on NJVoterInfo.com from promotional material for Ferguson:
" Congressman Ferguson's father founded a prominent advertising agency focusing on the pharmaceutical and medical device industries, and was a leading contributor to Republican campaigns, particularly for pro-life candidates."
Leo is obviously accusing Ferguson of executing political maneuvers based on his father's instruction, and as far as his voting record goes, there is no evidence to the contrary: for example, Ferguson has voted for nearly all pro-life articles, yet none of the pro-choice legislation; source: ProjectVote, which goes a long way to prove Mr. Leo's point.
This is a bemoaning of betrayal, a funeral dirge for lost friendship, and one of Ted's trademark political songs, a la Shake the Sheets.
On a personal note, I'm seeing him 3 times this summer; Merriweather on July 8, Pitchfork on July 29, and the Emerson on July 31. All three shows should be amazing, I know the one last year at the 9:30 Club was.
Hey Adam1986, "we saw red not green" is (in my opinion) a reference to having seen things in more of a communist way than a capitalist way.
I just started listening to this album again, and this song really caught be by surprise. I'd never really listened to it all the way through, but now that I have I really love it.
The first chorus is so bristling with energy and passion. It's obviously about Ferguson from what some others have posted, but this song also has a lot of personal meaning for me. If only I were 19 so I could have seen Ted Leo in Vancouver. =P