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.
When you get out of the hospital
Let me back into your life
I can't stand what you do
I'm in love with your eyes
And when you get out of the dating bar
I'll be here to get back into your life
I can't stand what you do
I'm in love with your eyes
Oh, I can't stand what you do
Sometimes I can't stand you
And it makes me think about me
That I'm involved with you
But I'm in love with this power that shows through in your eyes
I go to bakeries all day long
There's a lack of sweetness in my life
And there is pain inside
You can see it in my eyes
Oh, there is pain inside
You can see it in my eyes
It makes me think about me
That I've lost my pride
But I'm in love with this power that resides in your eyes
You live in modern apartments
Well, I've even got scared once or twice
Last time I walked down your street
There were tears in my eyes
Well, now, these streets we all know
They help us cry when we're alone late at night
Don't you love them too?
That where you got your eyes?
Oh, and I can't stand what you do
Sometimes I can't stand you
And it makes me think about me
How I'm involved with you
But I'm in love with this power that shows through in your eyes
Now, your world, it is beautiful
I'll take the subway to your suburb sometimes
I'll seek out the things that must've been magic to your little girl mind
Now, as a little girl, you must've been magic
I still get jealous of your old boyfriends in the suburbs sometimes
And when I walk down your street
Probably be tears in my eyes
I knew it would happen
I can't stand what you do
Sometimes I can't stand you
And it makes me think about me
That I'm involved with you
But I'm in love with this power that shows through in your eyes
So when you get out of the hospital
Let me back into your life
I can't stand what you do
But I'm in love with your eyes
Let me back into your life
I can't stand what you do
I'm in love with your eyes
And when you get out of the dating bar
I'll be here to get back into your life
I can't stand what you do
I'm in love with your eyes
Oh, I can't stand what you do
Sometimes I can't stand you
And it makes me think about me
That I'm involved with you
But I'm in love with this power that shows through in your eyes
I go to bakeries all day long
There's a lack of sweetness in my life
And there is pain inside
You can see it in my eyes
Oh, there is pain inside
You can see it in my eyes
It makes me think about me
That I've lost my pride
But I'm in love with this power that resides in your eyes
You live in modern apartments
Well, I've even got scared once or twice
Last time I walked down your street
There were tears in my eyes
Well, now, these streets we all know
They help us cry when we're alone late at night
Don't you love them too?
That where you got your eyes?
Oh, and I can't stand what you do
Sometimes I can't stand you
And it makes me think about me
How I'm involved with you
But I'm in love with this power that shows through in your eyes
Now, your world, it is beautiful
I'll take the subway to your suburb sometimes
I'll seek out the things that must've been magic to your little girl mind
Now, as a little girl, you must've been magic
I still get jealous of your old boyfriends in the suburbs sometimes
And when I walk down your street
Probably be tears in my eyes
I knew it would happen
I can't stand what you do
Sometimes I can't stand you
And it makes me think about me
That I'm involved with you
But I'm in love with this power that shows through in your eyes
So when you get out of the hospital
Let me back into your life
I can't stand what you do
But I'm in love with your eyes
Lyrics submitted by IndigoChilde815
Hospital Lyrics as written by Jonathan Michael Richman
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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to me, this song sounds kind of creepy and infatuated. lines like "when you get out of the dating bar, i'll be here to get back into your life" suggest that this girl is looking for someone else.
all the stuff about tears in his eyes and lack of sweetness in his life are just fine, angsty additions.
what i really don't understand is the part about her being in the hospital. i wish there were more discussion on this strange song.