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.
Slow voices speaking through a hurricane
Said that I wanted but I lied
You're looking good
Hey man I can't complain
Ghost on the road at night
Seen him out walking he's just skin and bones
I don't see nothing in her eyes
Some call it hell felt like home from home
I'm dreaming different skies
I don't know where I
I don't know what I'm supposed to do now
Get it on all night
I don't know where I
I don't know what I
It seems to me boy
That you're doing all right
I don't know what I
I don't know where I
Long way to go now
Keep it all inside
36 hours but my mind is fresh
Live for the moment the I'm gone
Suck on the sympathy and feel the rush
Go on my blue eyed son
I don't know where I
I don't know what I'm supposed to do now
Get it on all night
I don't know where I
I don't know what I
It seems to me boy
That you're doing all right
I don't know what I
I don't know where I
Long way to go now
Keep it all inside
Don't know where I
I don't know what I'm supposed to do now
Get it on all night
I don't know where I
I don't know what I
It seems to me boy
That you're doing all right
I don't know what I
I don't know where I
Long way to go now
Keep it all inside
Said that I wanted but I lied
You're looking good
Hey man I can't complain
Ghost on the road at night
Seen him out walking he's just skin and bones
I don't see nothing in her eyes
Some call it hell felt like home from home
I'm dreaming different skies
I don't know where I
I don't know what I'm supposed to do now
Get it on all night
I don't know where I
I don't know what I
It seems to me boy
That you're doing all right
I don't know what I
I don't know where I
Long way to go now
Keep it all inside
36 hours but my mind is fresh
Live for the moment the I'm gone
Suck on the sympathy and feel the rush
Go on my blue eyed son
I don't know where I
I don't know what I'm supposed to do now
Get it on all night
I don't know where I
I don't know what I
It seems to me boy
That you're doing all right
I don't know what I
I don't know where I
Long way to go now
Keep it all inside
Don't know where I
I don't know what I'm supposed to do now
Get it on all night
I don't know where I
I don't know what I
It seems to me boy
That you're doing all right
I don't know what I
I don't know where I
Long way to go now
Keep it all inside
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A New Day At Midnight was written and recorded just after David's father died of cancer in 2001, and most songs seem to relate to that (it was dedicated to him, after all). Within that context, I think the song becomes much more straight forward. The first verse would be entering the hospital room. He says he wanted in, as soon as he does, he realizes he lied when he sees his father "just skin and bones".
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