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.
I wish I could read what his eyes are sayin'
Staring straight and not blinking
He's not giving anything away
What is he thinking?
I wish I could read what his eyes are sayin'
Staring straight and not blinking
He's not giving anything away
What is he thinking?
Can't seem to do anything but stare
My C.P coat is lyin' just there
Draped over the edge of that dusty chair
All fits into place suddenly
Yeh my coat was hangin' up under my stairs
But one day it went leaving the cupboard bare
The facts all click in and become square
He stole it while I was unaware
But why's he denying it when it's so bate
Looking at the telly, won't look over straight
Why's he not flappin' and explaining away?
To one very fuckin' frustrated mate
Dan's been trustin' every word Scott says
He believes in mates so fair play
But Scott's story is too far outweighed
And I'm gonna act before its too late
I wish I could read what his eyes are sayin'
Staring straight and not blinking
He's not giving anything away
What is he thinking?
I wish I could read what his eyes are sayin'
Staring straight and not blinking
He's not giving anything away
What is he thinking?
[Wayney G]
This must all look a bit weird
It's Mike's C.P coat sittin' here
Draped over the chair
So that it appears to all fit me up suddenly
And clear I'm gonna have to just try and volunteer
An answer 'bout the man who left the bomber here
He must've picked it up from Mikes dear
Girls house When the weather wasn't clear
The man must've thought it was Simone's coat
We didn't think it was Mike's coat though
I can't just deny it 'cause my face shows
Lookin' at the telly's not aidin', no
I can't tell Mike this man didn't know
And innocently borrowed the coat at Simone's
'cause then Mike would demand to know
Why this man was even at Simone's
[Mike] That frown could mean anything
[Wayney G] What the fuck am I gonna do now?
He know's I'm lyin'
[Mike] I wish I could read his mind
[Wayney G] It's written all over my face
I wish I could read what his eyes are sayin'
Staring straight and not blinking
He's not giving anything away
What is he thinking?
I wish I could read what his eyes are sayin'
Staring straight and not blinking
He's not giving anything away
What is he thinking?
[Mike]
What the fuck's he saying she had the garm'
Either he has gone John Barnes
Or he's tryin' to spin me a con's yarn
He think's he's the fucking don gar
How long have I undergone his smarm?
Shruggin' it all off as fun charm
If he don't stop lookin' at the TV though
I'm gonna wrap the cable round his wee throat
Hang on Scott says Simone had the coat
Where did he see her on the d.low
What is it I don't need to know?
Is he scheming to be near Simone?
In the club I wondered what was on the go
Dan was tryin' to keep Scott from being close
And Scott teefed me money and his teefed me coat
And he's trying to steal me girlfriend from under me nose
I wish I could read what his eyes are sayin'
Staring straight and not blinking
He's not giving anything away
What is he thinking?
I wish I could read what his eyes are sayin'
Staring straight and not blinking
He's not giving anything away
What is he thinking?
[Wayney G]
Right I can't be bothered with this no more
I'm gonna have to tell him I owe him the score
I wish I could tell him about the dough on the draws
That's somethin' I don't know, I swore
The coat thing will look dodgy loads more
If I don't throw it down as the crow soars
I'd better put the video on pause
Face up toe-to-toe over the floor
He really needs to know how his jacket
Miraculously appeared round my gaff, here
And the man that left it's been shagging
Mike's girl behind Mike's back and thing
This shit's all got a bit out of hand
There's no options I'm all down on plans
I'm jus' gonna have to split it now, man
Tell Mike the person that bought the coat 'round
Was.....Dan
Staring straight and not blinking
He's not giving anything away
What is he thinking?
I wish I could read what his eyes are sayin'
Staring straight and not blinking
He's not giving anything away
What is he thinking?
Can't seem to do anything but stare
My C.P coat is lyin' just there
Draped over the edge of that dusty chair
All fits into place suddenly
Yeh my coat was hangin' up under my stairs
But one day it went leaving the cupboard bare
The facts all click in and become square
He stole it while I was unaware
But why's he denying it when it's so bate
Looking at the telly, won't look over straight
Why's he not flappin' and explaining away?
To one very fuckin' frustrated mate
Dan's been trustin' every word Scott says
He believes in mates so fair play
But Scott's story is too far outweighed
And I'm gonna act before its too late
I wish I could read what his eyes are sayin'
Staring straight and not blinking
He's not giving anything away
What is he thinking?
I wish I could read what his eyes are sayin'
Staring straight and not blinking
He's not giving anything away
What is he thinking?
[Wayney G]
This must all look a bit weird
It's Mike's C.P coat sittin' here
Draped over the chair
So that it appears to all fit me up suddenly
And clear I'm gonna have to just try and volunteer
An answer 'bout the man who left the bomber here
He must've picked it up from Mikes dear
Girls house When the weather wasn't clear
The man must've thought it was Simone's coat
We didn't think it was Mike's coat though
I can't just deny it 'cause my face shows
Lookin' at the telly's not aidin', no
I can't tell Mike this man didn't know
And innocently borrowed the coat at Simone's
'cause then Mike would demand to know
Why this man was even at Simone's
[Mike] That frown could mean anything
[Wayney G] What the fuck am I gonna do now?
He know's I'm lyin'
[Mike] I wish I could read his mind
[Wayney G] It's written all over my face
I wish I could read what his eyes are sayin'
Staring straight and not blinking
He's not giving anything away
What is he thinking?
I wish I could read what his eyes are sayin'
Staring straight and not blinking
He's not giving anything away
What is he thinking?
[Mike]
What the fuck's he saying she had the garm'
Either he has gone John Barnes
Or he's tryin' to spin me a con's yarn
He think's he's the fucking don gar
How long have I undergone his smarm?
Shruggin' it all off as fun charm
If he don't stop lookin' at the TV though
I'm gonna wrap the cable round his wee throat
Hang on Scott says Simone had the coat
Where did he see her on the d.low
What is it I don't need to know?
Is he scheming to be near Simone?
In the club I wondered what was on the go
Dan was tryin' to keep Scott from being close
And Scott teefed me money and his teefed me coat
And he's trying to steal me girlfriend from under me nose
I wish I could read what his eyes are sayin'
Staring straight and not blinking
He's not giving anything away
What is he thinking?
I wish I could read what his eyes are sayin'
Staring straight and not blinking
He's not giving anything away
What is he thinking?
[Wayney G]
Right I can't be bothered with this no more
I'm gonna have to tell him I owe him the score
I wish I could tell him about the dough on the draws
That's somethin' I don't know, I swore
The coat thing will look dodgy loads more
If I don't throw it down as the crow soars
I'd better put the video on pause
Face up toe-to-toe over the floor
He really needs to know how his jacket
Miraculously appeared round my gaff, here
And the man that left it's been shagging
Mike's girl behind Mike's back and thing
This shit's all got a bit out of hand
There's no options I'm all down on plans
I'm jus' gonna have to split it now, man
Tell Mike the person that bought the coat 'round
Was.....Dan
Lyrics submitted by mattmightsay
What Is He Thinking? Lyrics as written by Michael Geoffrey Skinner
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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definitely the climax of the whole semi-operetta thing. Very tense, very cool, very paranoid, very very. A secret highlight.
Another Underrated song- this albums full of em! If you read my comment about Don't Mug Yourself you'll get why this relates to me- its about my friend not knowing wether she should tell the boyfriend of the girl I got with the truth- that SHE was the one that got with ME, and that she lied to me about having a boyfriend...
By itself, this song is pretty good, but in the context of this album, this song is just killer! What a story this record is! I love how Dry Your Eyes follows this. Scott has to tell Mike the truth, but then the next thing we hear is Mike trying to keep Simone around. Very gritty and real.