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 trouble with your brother, he's always sleeping with your mother
And I know that your sister missed her time again this month
Am I talking too fast or are you just playing dumb?
If you want I can write it down
It should matter to you but aren't you the one with your razzmatazz
and the nights on the town?
Oh-oh-oh Oh you knew it and you blew it didn't you babe?
I was lying when I asked you to stay now no-one's gonna care
If you don't call them when you said
And he's not coming round tonight to try and talk you into bed
And all those stupid little things they ain't working
No they aren't working at all oh
You started getting fatter three weeks after I left you
Now you're going with some kid looks like some bad comedian
Are you gonna go out, are you sitting at home eating boxes of Milk Tray?
Watch TV on your own, aren't you the one with your razzmatazz
And your nights on the town?
Oh-oh-oh And your father wants to help you doesn't he babe?
But your mother wants to put you away
Now no-one's gonna care if you don't call them when you said
And he's not coming round tonight to try and talk you into bed
And all those stupid little things they ain't working
Oh they aren't working at all
Oh well I saw you at the doctor's waiting for a test
You tried to look like some kind of heiress but your face is such a mess
And now you're going to a party and you're leaving on your own
Oh I'm sorry but didn't you say that things go better with a little bit of razzamatazz?
Na na nana na na na... and now no-one's gonna care if you don't call them when you said
And he's not coming round tonight to try and talk you into bed
Now it's half past ten in the evening and you wish that you were dead
'Cause all those stupid little things
No they ain't working, oh they aren't working at all.
And I know that your sister missed her time again this month
Am I talking too fast or are you just playing dumb?
If you want I can write it down
It should matter to you but aren't you the one with your razzmatazz
and the nights on the town?
Oh-oh-oh Oh you knew it and you blew it didn't you babe?
I was lying when I asked you to stay now no-one's gonna care
If you don't call them when you said
And he's not coming round tonight to try and talk you into bed
And all those stupid little things they ain't working
No they aren't working at all oh
You started getting fatter three weeks after I left you
Now you're going with some kid looks like some bad comedian
Are you gonna go out, are you sitting at home eating boxes of Milk Tray?
Watch TV on your own, aren't you the one with your razzmatazz
And your nights on the town?
Oh-oh-oh And your father wants to help you doesn't he babe?
But your mother wants to put you away
Now no-one's gonna care if you don't call them when you said
And he's not coming round tonight to try and talk you into bed
And all those stupid little things they ain't working
Oh they aren't working at all
Oh well I saw you at the doctor's waiting for a test
You tried to look like some kind of heiress but your face is such a mess
And now you're going to a party and you're leaving on your own
Oh I'm sorry but didn't you say that things go better with a little bit of razzamatazz?
Na na nana na na na... and now no-one's gonna care if you don't call them when you said
And he's not coming round tonight to try and talk you into bed
Now it's half past ten in the evening and you wish that you were dead
'Cause all those stupid little things
No they ain't working, oh they aren't working at all.
Lyrics submitted by _scandalous
Razzmatazz Lyrics as written by Jarvis Branson Cocker Candida Doyle
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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I think this is an extremely bitter song. The above comments are all right but miss the point that he's angry with her for not beign the girl he wanted. He acts up to be all riteous and a bigger man (probably as a defense mechanism) but really, he's pissed off. Lines like...
You started getting fatter three weeks after I left you
and
And now you're going to a party and you're leaving on your own