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 wanna run from the apathy
from the questioning tongues
and eyes that just won't come off
and get a job in a industry
where a smile's not required
and complaints are always the same
cause baby you must be so fed up
with a boy that keeps telling you
how much good he's gonna do
when all that is happening 'round here
is happening in here
and nothing gets out there
except for the truth
it's up to you
cause I'm absolutely numb
it's up to you
cause I'm absolutely numb
I've been adrift on the silver surf
and I've paddled ahead of the fear
that I'd fall behind
I took drinks from the glitter smurfs
and their company dads who never
stood by in the crying
cause no one does and nobody ever will
there is only space for one
and surely he gets killed
when the engine seizes up
you might call it existential crisis
I simply call it the bravery
of emptiness
it's up to you
cause I'm absolutely numb
it's up to you
cause I'm absolutely numb
from the questioning tongues
and eyes that just won't come off
and get a job in a industry
where a smile's not required
and complaints are always the same
cause baby you must be so fed up
with a boy that keeps telling you
how much good he's gonna do
when all that is happening 'round here
is happening in here
and nothing gets out there
except for the truth
it's up to you
cause I'm absolutely numb
it's up to you
cause I'm absolutely numb
I've been adrift on the silver surf
and I've paddled ahead of the fear
that I'd fall behind
I took drinks from the glitter smurfs
and their company dads who never
stood by in the crying
cause no one does and nobody ever will
there is only space for one
and surely he gets killed
when the engine seizes up
you might call it existential crisis
I simply call it the bravery
of emptiness
it's up to you
cause I'm absolutely numb
it's up to you
cause I'm absolutely numb
Lyrics submitted by Am0k
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Have you watched the video to this song? It's just so perfect to this song.
With the drawn persons and the lady who is getting sexually hurraced when going on a date with her boss. The song - I think - is obviously about our stressed out and careerismed society. And about how most people just give up, and let people make their own shit without wanting to help.
I love the way the drums are playing in this song. It's absolutely perfect.
Amazing, about life desmotivation.
I think this song can actually be interpret in a couple of ways.
If you've watched the documentary "Rocketbrothers", you might remember Kasper Eistrup explaining John Cornfield (the mixer/add-producer) that it's about Kasper's writer's block in the period between 'The Good Life' and 'Zitilites'. He knows people expect him to write music - he simply just can't no matter how much he tries. "It's up to you, 'cause I'm absolutely numb."
I also watched a live performance on youtube where they sarcastically introduce it as "A warm ode to the beautiful and warm and welcoming music industry". youtube.com/watch
I saw the intro to the link you posted, and made me see it in another perspective..
It could be a hint to the music industry he is singing about- when all that is happening around here is happening "in" here .. they create style, that people are going to see as "in".. its hard to explain.
the other way i saw it, was more like the video showed us; this emloyee just wants a job where she doesnt need to smile, and the complaints are always the same (to me it seems like she got it) but it all doesnt matter to her anymore, she is working her way to the top (in a rather awesome way)to get up there where all the businessmen are gathered together in one place, and make an end at all of it.