Overall about difficult moments of disappointment and vulnerability. Having hope and longing, while remaining optimistic for the future. Encourages the belief that with each new morning there is a chance for things to improve.
The chorus offers a glimmer of optimism and a chance at a resolution and redemption in the future.
Captures the rollercoaster of emotions of feeling lost while loving someone who is not there for you, feeling let down and abandoned while waiting for a lover. Lost with no direction, "Now I'm up in the air with the rain in my hair, Nowhere to go, I can go anywhere"
The bridge shows signs of longing and a plea for companionship. The Lyrics express a desire for authentic connection and the importance of Loving someone just as they are. "Just in passing, I'm not asking. That you be anyone but you”
Going away there's nothing to stay for
Everything we do is some disease
Love is hidden by your fear
So don't make the mistake
Can't sit down
And I can't stand up
'cause if I do I know I'm gonna break
I can't stay in, and I can't go out
'cause if I do I know I'm gonna break
Uh-oh-uh-oh uh-oh yeah
Uh-oh-uh-oh uh-oh ohhh
Uh-oh-uh-oh uh-oh uh-oh
'cause you know I'm gonna break
Uh-oh-uh-oh uh-oh yeah
Uh-oh-uh-oh uh-oh ohhh
Uh-oh-uh-oh uh-oh uh-oh
Maybe the wait
Maybe the weight
Is too much for me to hold
Love is something
Nothing ever feels this way
It's time to come back
Can't sit down, and I can't stand up
'cause if I do I know I'm gonna break
I can't stay in, and I can't go out
'cause if I do I know I'm gonna break
Can't sit down, and I can't stand up
'cause if I do I know I'm gonna break
I can't stay in, and I can't go out
'cause if I do I know I'm gonna break
Uh-oh-uh-oh uh-oh yeah
Uh-oh-uh-oh uh-oh ohhh
Uh-oh-uh-oh uh-oh uh-oh
'cause you know I'm gonna break
Uh-oh-uh-oh uh-oh yeah
Uh-oh-uh-oh uh-oh ohhh
Uh-oh-uh-oh uh-oh uh-oh
Can't sit down, and I can't stand up
'cause if I do I know I'm gonna break
I can't stay in, and I can't go out
'cause if I do I know I'm gonna break
Uh-oh-uh-oh uh-oh yeah
Uh-oh-uh-oh uh-oh ohhh
Uh-oh-uh-oh uh-oh uh-oh
'cause you know I'm gonna
Can't sit down, and I can't stand up
'cause if I do I know I'm gonna break
I can't stay in, and I can't go out
'cause if I do I know I'm gonna break
Everything we do is some disease
Love is hidden by your fear
So don't make the mistake
Can't sit down
And I can't stand up
'cause if I do I know I'm gonna break
I can't stay in, and I can't go out
'cause if I do I know I'm gonna break
Uh-oh-uh-oh uh-oh yeah
Uh-oh-uh-oh uh-oh ohhh
Uh-oh-uh-oh uh-oh uh-oh
'cause you know I'm gonna break
Uh-oh-uh-oh uh-oh yeah
Uh-oh-uh-oh uh-oh ohhh
Uh-oh-uh-oh uh-oh uh-oh
Maybe the wait
Maybe the weight
Is too much for me to hold
Love is something
Nothing ever feels this way
It's time to come back
Can't sit down, and I can't stand up
'cause if I do I know I'm gonna break
I can't stay in, and I can't go out
'cause if I do I know I'm gonna break
Can't sit down, and I can't stand up
'cause if I do I know I'm gonna break
I can't stay in, and I can't go out
'cause if I do I know I'm gonna break
Uh-oh-uh-oh uh-oh yeah
Uh-oh-uh-oh uh-oh ohhh
Uh-oh-uh-oh uh-oh uh-oh
'cause you know I'm gonna break
Uh-oh-uh-oh uh-oh yeah
Uh-oh-uh-oh uh-oh ohhh
Uh-oh-uh-oh uh-oh uh-oh
Can't sit down, and I can't stand up
'cause if I do I know I'm gonna break
I can't stay in, and I can't go out
'cause if I do I know I'm gonna break
Uh-oh-uh-oh uh-oh yeah
Uh-oh-uh-oh uh-oh ohhh
Uh-oh-uh-oh uh-oh uh-oh
'cause you know I'm gonna
Can't sit down, and I can't stand up
'cause if I do I know I'm gonna break
I can't stay in, and I can't go out
'cause if I do I know I'm gonna break
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More Featured Meanings
Cajun Girl
Little Feat
Little Feat
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.
Page
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
There aren’t many things that’ll hurt more than giving love a chance against your better judgement only to have your heart crushed yet again. Ed Sheeran tells such a story on “Page.” On this track, he is devastated to have lost his lover and even more saddened by the feeling that he may never move on from this.
Plastic Bag
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Plastic Bag” is a song about searching for an escape from personal problems and hoping to find it in the lively atmosphere of a Saturday night party. Ed Sheeran tells the story of his friend and the myriad of troubles he is going through. Unable to find any solutions, this friend seeks a last resort in a party and the vanity that comes with it.
“I overthink and have trouble sleepin’ / All purpose gone and don’t have a reason / And there’s no doctor to stop this bleedin’ / So I left home and jumped in the deep end,” Ed Sheeran sings in verse one. He continues by adding that this person is feeling the weight of having disappointed his father and doesn’t have any friends to rely on in this difficult moment. In the second verse, Ed sings about the role of grief in his friend’s plight and his dwindling faith in prayer. “Saturday night is givin’ me a reason to rely on the strobe lights / The lifeline of a promise in a shot glass, and I’ll take that / If you’re givin’ out love from a plastic bag,” Ed sings on the chorus, as his friend turns to new vices in hopes of feeling better.
I think this song is about paranoia and too many people in this world worrying about this and that, but its lively and upbeat tone would suggest to just forget all that. I cant' wait to see these guys live. =)