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.
Don't put this note by your face on the pillow
Don't put this letter in the pocket near your heart
Keep it in the bottom drawer where you hide the sex tools
I pray you always need them
I know what you have done
Throwing advice like grenades at the table
You're spinning your wisdom in stories that change
Your lies are fluorescent my babyfaced angel
Grow a fucking heart love
I know what you have done
I've got your number
You've got my number
Don't put this letter in the pocket near your heart
Keep it in the bottom drawer where you hide the sex tools
I pray you always need them
I know what you have done
Throwing advice like grenades at the table
You're spinning your wisdom in stories that change
Your lies are fluorescent my babyfaced angel
Grow a fucking heart love
I know what you have done
I've got your number
You've got my number
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"Some and now none of you"
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This was the perfect song for "13 Reasons Why"
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"There's a part - 'Cash in now honey, cash in Miss Smith.' Miss Smith is my Mother; our last name was Smith. Cashing in when she cashed in her life. So... she decided that, to her... at that time, she was desperate. Life wasn't worth it for her, that was her opinion. Some people think, never take your life, and some people find that their life isn't worth living. She was in love with my Dad, and my Dad was not faithful to her, and it broke her heart. She was very desperate and she did something that I know she regrets."
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Wu-Tang Clan
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This song is written as the perspective of the boys in the street, as a whole, and what path they are going to choose as they get older and grow into men. (This is why the music video takes place in an orphanage.) The seen, and unseen collective suffering is imbedded in the boys’ mind, consciously or subconsciously, and is haunting them. Which path will the boys choose? Issac Hayes is the voice of reason, maybe God, the angel on his shoulder, or the voice of his forefathers from beyond the grave who can see the big picture and are pleading with the boys not to continue the violence and pattern of killing their brothers, but to rise above. The most beautiful song and has so many levels. Racism towards African Americans in America would not exist if everyone sat down and listened to this song and understood the history behind the words. The power, fear, pleading in RZA and Ghostface voices are genuine and powerful. Issac Hayes’ strong voice makes the perfect strong father figure, who is possibly from beyond the grave.
Magical
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IMHO the sex is not a relevant part of the relationship described in this song. It is not even a subject.
"Don’t put this note by your face on the pillow Don’t put this letter in the pocket near your heart"
Quite simple. This is not a love letter. Don't treat it like that.
"Keep it in the bottom drawer where you hide the sex tools"
Hide this letter somewhere, where no one will find it. You should be ashamed of what's in it.
"I pray you always need them"
Brilliant!!! 'them' relates to the sex tools. He really hates the girl and is hoping that she will never find another lover. Probably he's not only hoping it because he doesn't like her to be happy, but he is also hoping she will not harm any other guy.
"I know what you have done" That's why he now hates her so much. It doesn't become clear whether it was really bad or whether it was only really bad in his perception. But that doesn't really matter. The song is about his feelings of hate. Not about the act leading to this hatred.
"Throwing advice like grenades at the table You’re spinning your wisdom in stories that change Your lies are fluorescent my babyfaced angel"
She did not only do something terrible. She also lies and is very good in hurting others by throwing in her (bad) opinions and ideas at the wrong moments. She's good looking, but that only leads to a bigger contrast with her character.
"Grow a fucking heart love"
She could have been more tactful and friendly.
"I know what you have done" must be really terrible
"I’ve got your number" He knows where to find her and will come to get (and punish) her when needed.
"You’ve got my number" This is the truely sad part of it. Despite all of the above, he's still hoping that she will call to make up. Probably, part of the hatred was inspired by the fact that he still loves her.
Some elbow tracks are so reassuring to listen to when in arelationship. 'I'v got your number' I'm convinced is illustrating the hatred towards an ex/current lover when he knows she's been sleeping with someone else. As per usual, this poem is sublime.
'Grow a fucking heart love' has to be my favourite line of all time. Well done Garvey.
this song has one of the best melodies i've ever heard. it made me cry a lot when i first heard it even though the lyrics are about a relationship based on sex. it's just great.... i love elbow!!!!!
I believe this song is about the relationship, where the main connection between people is sex. The first time I heard it was watching "9 Songs", so I can't divide them anymore - this song and the movie.
Excellent song. Really. Deep.
i'm not entirely convinced this is about a relationship based on sex. can't see where that might be suggested. to me, it's just a song about someone knowing that someone else has done something awful. i love this song's dark and almost spiteful nature. The instruments (guitar?) used on the track before "i've got your number" are played harshly, and it really suits the theme.
i heard an interview with Guy Garvey saying even how he wrote such a dark song, he couldn't help but put in the final line. Even though this person has done something bad, the protagonist is still completely taken by them.
excellent song!
i think it goes this way:
"I know what you have done
Throwing advice like grenades at the table You’re spinning your wisdom in stories that change Your lies are fluorescent my babyfaced angel Grow a fucking heart love"
talks about a first meeting with a possibly disturbed girl...who needed to tell someone about this terrible thing she did...
he fell in love with her or at least liked her a lot... they exchanged phone numbers..
"Don’t put this note by your face on the pillow Don’t put this letter in the pocket near your heart Keep it in the bottom drawer where you hide the sex tools I pray you always need them"
he hopes she will want to talk to him everytime she sees this note... reason why he wants her to put in in a frequently used drawer (sex tools) = )
I'm with Guybrush on this one. I always took this song to be somewhat of a break-up, breaking ties or attempt at type song. The note not-so-much being anything beautiful or even a phone number, but bad sentiments about the girl. I kind of thought the girl had some alter-ego, double life, something seedy and dark, based on the sex tools. Prostitute, habitual cheater, something along those lines. The "I've got your number" I believe is used in the sense of knowing something over a person and being able to hold it against them. And what's even more great is the "You've got my number." Despite the harsh realities of what the girl is/has done, she still has a control over him. Awesome pipe organ in this song as well. Love the harshness and darkness of it.
This one is about Edith. Everything fits....
A relationship initiated sexually but fell in love. She lied/betrayed whilst acting the 'Angel'. He'd still have her back if either would only call the other. FML
Sex toys might be a red herring - no more than something kept hidden. Remember, "I've got your number" is a saying meaning "I know what you are up to/hiding/don't want people to know" - I'm aware of something underhand. You could apply it to an insurance scam, cheating at a board game or office politics. Add that to the other interpretations here :)