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.
Draw a line in the sand
I dare you to cross it
You'd better think twice
For you to mix it up with me
No I won't turn down
I'll keep the fire burning
Hard as you try, you're never gonna stop the sound
You think you're shakin' my innocence
But you're wastin' my time
Cause you don't know who I am
I will survive
Defender of the faith
The power is alive
Defiant in your face
I will survive
I won't let it fall from grace
All around the world
There are true believers
No I'm not alone
You're never gonna move the stone
Rock & roll it's here to stay
It will never burn out
It's never gonna fade away
You think you're shakin' my innocence
But you're wasting time
Cause you don't know who I am
I will survive
Defender of the faith
The power is alive
Defiant in your face
I will survive
I won't let it fall from grace
I dare you to cross it
You'd better think twice
For you to mix it up with me
No I won't turn down
I'll keep the fire burning
Hard as you try, you're never gonna stop the sound
You think you're shakin' my innocence
But you're wastin' my time
Cause you don't know who I am
I will survive
Defender of the faith
The power is alive
Defiant in your face
I will survive
I won't let it fall from grace
All around the world
There are true believers
No I'm not alone
You're never gonna move the stone
Rock & roll it's here to stay
It will never burn out
It's never gonna fade away
You think you're shakin' my innocence
But you're wasting time
Cause you don't know who I am
I will survive
Defender of the faith
The power is alive
Defiant in your face
I will survive
I won't let it fall from grace
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Standing On The Edge Of Summer
Thursday
Thursday
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
"Fast car" is kind of a continuation of Bruce Springsteen's "Born to Run." It has all the clawing your way to a better life, but in this case the protagonist never makes it with her love; in fact she is dragged back down by him.
There is still an amazing amount of hope and will in the lyrics; and the lyrics themselve rank and easy five. If only music was stronger it would be one of those great radio songs that you hear once a week 20 years after it was released. The imagery is almost tear-jerking ("City lights lay out before us", "Speeds so fast felt like I was drunk"), and the idea of starting from nothing and just driving and working and denigrating yourself for a chance at being just above poverty, then losing in the end is just painful and inspiring at the same time.
Holiday
Bee Gees
Bee Gees
@[Diderik:33655] "Your a holiday!" Was a popular term used in the 50s/60s to compliment someone on their all around. For example, not only are they beautiful, but they are fun and kind too ... just an all around "holiday".
I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
Dreamwalker
Silent Planet
Silent Planet
I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
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,
Anyone who has seen the movie "Gladiator" (the boxing movie, not the Russell Crowe movie) probably has heard this song. I don't think it's on any of their CDs, but it's on the soundtrack to the movie. Great song, it's a shame no one know's about it. The meaning is pretty straight forward though.