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.
Let's stop this talk of privilege because the songs that we sing
are as much a product of our privileges
as the clothes on my back or the phone call I made to my mom last night
Let's stop this talk of action because action comes easy
it's the moments just before that are hard
when I've got to get my voice and my fist on the same page as my heart
as my heart
And let's stop this talk of them because the things we find deplorable in politicians, CEOs and cops
are the same things that will tear ourselves apart
and let's stop this talk of words because words like dishonesty selfishness and laziness and greed
aren't as distance to us as we'd like to believe
to believe.
So please, the next time you're smashing the state, don't go breaking my heart
but I know that when you pick up the pieces,
the only thing left will be the same empty rubble
that's made up every revolution that I've ever known
to make me believe and lose faith in humanity
in the same empty breath of hot air
And they say that the beauty's in the streets
but when I look around, it seems more like defeat
And I'm afraid that this fight that we're all caught up in
will leave us the same as that which we oppose
So please, the next time you're smashing the state, don't go breaking my heart
But I know that we can pick up the pieces and build something new, something different
that's not like every revolution that I've ever known
that can make me believe and have faith in humanity
and we'll all breath a breath of fresh air
are as much a product of our privileges
as the clothes on my back or the phone call I made to my mom last night
Let's stop this talk of action because action comes easy
it's the moments just before that are hard
when I've got to get my voice and my fist on the same page as my heart
as my heart
And let's stop this talk of them because the things we find deplorable in politicians, CEOs and cops
are the same things that will tear ourselves apart
and let's stop this talk of words because words like dishonesty selfishness and laziness and greed
aren't as distance to us as we'd like to believe
to believe.
So please, the next time you're smashing the state, don't go breaking my heart
but I know that when you pick up the pieces,
the only thing left will be the same empty rubble
that's made up every revolution that I've ever known
to make me believe and lose faith in humanity
in the same empty breath of hot air
And they say that the beauty's in the streets
but when I look around, it seems more like defeat
And I'm afraid that this fight that we're all caught up in
will leave us the same as that which we oppose
So please, the next time you're smashing the state, don't go breaking my heart
But I know that we can pick up the pieces and build something new, something different
that's not like every revolution that I've ever known
that can make me believe and have faith in humanity
and we'll all breath a breath of fresh air
Lyrics submitted by b-pot, edited by fingfishers
I Don't Want Solidarity If It Means Holding Hands With You song meanings
Add Your Thoughts
7 Comments
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
Bron-Y-Aur Stomp
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
This is about bronies. They communicate by stomping.
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,
Head > Heels
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Head > Heels” is a track that aims to capture what it feels like to experience romance that exceeds expectations. Ed Sheeran dedicates his album outro to a lover who has blessed him with a unique experience that he seeks to describe through the song’s nuanced lyrics.
Amazing
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran tells a story of unsuccessfully trying to feel “Amazing.” This track is about the being weighed down by emotional stress despite valiant attempts to find some positivity in the situation. This track was written by Ed Sheeran from the perspective of his friend. From the track, we see this person fall deeper into the negative thoughts and slide further down the path of mental torment with every lyric.
Person above me: I think the point of the song tile is to say that's how most people think. Not that that's how they should think. It's saying, that of course you have to be able to hold the had of the people you like to have solidarity. That's practically what the word means. Treat people the way you want to be treated regardless of how they are.