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.
Tracin' the steps that I take
Feelin' mistakes that are fake
Makin' excuses like imaginary friends run away
To where I've already been
To where I already am
So tell me tell me it'll work out so I'll be 'round again
I look inside I'm surprised at what I see in my eyes
So tell me tell me was I there when I was taught how to lie?
I thought I'd chase paradise but Ill just set off a lie
So tell me tell me did I die when I was taught how to lie?
Don't tell me what it'll be because it's all in degrees
And by degrees what I mean is you don't see what I see
So is this falling apart or are these pieces of me?
Is this a nightmare to be or am I building a dream?
When did this come to be?
When did things pick up speed?
Tiein' down my living needs
Tiein' down my living needs
Oh ohh
Don't know why (don't know why)
Don't know why (don't know why)
Don't know why I am here
All that I've forgotten is only stoppin to remind me
Only I (Only I)
Know that I (Know that I)
Only I can be my only
Odd sacrifice
I suffered twice and all that I did
Was beleive..
Its funny how life can be the circles dance around me
Drawing a reminder of what I've done and who I've become
Sleepin' my days without dreams, Wakin' a night without sleep
Missing the truth to lie the promises I heard I would keep
I'm lost in my paradise, the walls have built in my life
So tell me tell me will I die if I forget how to lie?
When did this come to be?
When did things pick up speed?
Tiein' down my living needs
Tiein' down my living needs
Oh ohh
Don't know why (Don't know why)
Don't know why (Don't know why)
Don't know why I am here
All that I've forgotton is only stoppin to remind me
Only I (Only I)
Know that I (Know that I)
Only I can be my only
Odd sacrifice
I suffered twice and all that I did
Was beleive..
Feelin' mistakes that are fake
Makin' excuses like imaginary friends run away
To where I've already been
To where I already am
So tell me tell me it'll work out so I'll be 'round again
I look inside I'm surprised at what I see in my eyes
So tell me tell me was I there when I was taught how to lie?
I thought I'd chase paradise but Ill just set off a lie
So tell me tell me did I die when I was taught how to lie?
Don't tell me what it'll be because it's all in degrees
And by degrees what I mean is you don't see what I see
So is this falling apart or are these pieces of me?
Is this a nightmare to be or am I building a dream?
When did this come to be?
When did things pick up speed?
Tiein' down my living needs
Tiein' down my living needs
Oh ohh
Don't know why (don't know why)
Don't know why (don't know why)
Don't know why I am here
All that I've forgotten is only stoppin to remind me
Only I (Only I)
Know that I (Know that I)
Only I can be my only
Odd sacrifice
I suffered twice and all that I did
Was beleive..
Its funny how life can be the circles dance around me
Drawing a reminder of what I've done and who I've become
Sleepin' my days without dreams, Wakin' a night without sleep
Missing the truth to lie the promises I heard I would keep
I'm lost in my paradise, the walls have built in my life
So tell me tell me will I die if I forget how to lie?
When did this come to be?
When did things pick up speed?
Tiein' down my living needs
Tiein' down my living needs
Oh ohh
Don't know why (Don't know why)
Don't know why (Don't know why)
Don't know why I am here
All that I've forgotton is only stoppin to remind me
Only I (Only I)
Know that I (Know that I)
Only I can be my only
Odd sacrifice
I suffered twice and all that I did
Was beleive..
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
More Featured Meanings
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.
Mental Istid
Ebba Grön
Ebba Grön
This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
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.
I Can't Go To Sleep
Wu-Tang Clan
Wu-Tang Clan
This song is written as the perspective of the boys in the street, as a whole, and what path they are going to choose as they get older and grow into men. (This is why the music video takes place in an orphanage.) The seen, and unseen collective suffering is imbedded in the boys’ mind, consciously or subconsciously, and is haunting them. Which path will the boys choose? Issac Hayes is the voice of reason, maybe God, the angel on his shoulder, or the voice of his forefathers from beyond the grave who can see the big picture and are pleading with the boys not to continue the violence and pattern of killing their brothers, but to rise above. The most beautiful song and has so many levels. Racism towards African Americans in America would not exist if everyone sat down and listened to this song and understood the history behind the words. The power, fear, pleading in RZA and Ghostface voices are genuine and powerful. Issac Hayes’ strong voice makes the perfect strong father figure, who is possibly from beyond the grave.
Tracin' the steps that I take Feelin' mistakes that are fake Makin' excuses like imaginary friends run away (Lying)
I look inside I'm surprised at what I see in my eyes (Realizing her wrong doings)
So tell me tell me was I there when I was taught how to lie? I suffered twice and all that I did Was believe (She was lied to in the past, so now she is lying to everyone- the chain reaction effect of lying; she believed her lies)
I thought I'd chase paradise but Ill just set off a lie (Why tell the truth when I could lie and make it better?)
Is this a nightmare to be or am I building a dream? All that I've forgotten is only stoppin to remind me Its funny how life can be, the circles dance around me (Realizing consequences- its all coming back to her)
When did this come to be? When did things pick up speed? Tiein' down my living needs (judgement has come so quickly, for me to confess, I lied for my own selfish reasons)
Im lost in my paradise, the walls have built in my life So tell me tell me will I die if I forget how to lie? (Her life was built on lying, it has become one with her- its her life. So, if she stops lying, she feels she will die)
There you go. In my opinion, this is what the song is about. Consequences. Doesn;t have to be lying, but anything. "What goes around, comes around."
y isnt any one else posting for this song? i think it is a really really really good song. i think that nobody will get as close of a guess of what the song is about than FaaipDeOaid did, unless you hear what katie sais it is about. i think katie b sings really good song and i definatly DO NOT regret geting the cd. it is the best!!!
did anyone see the latest update to the jakalope sight? it is really neet, once you finish the puzzle, you get to hear the priview for tell me why and then a note from a person, cant tell you who, cuz it would ruin it
This song sucks and it's the next single.
Whoa, nevermind, sorry guys, LOL, completely wrong song.
I really love this song. I heard it on Degrassi a few years ago and I thought it was amazing. It took me forever to find it though. It's been bothering for a while now, so I have to ask, even if no one responds, but is that Alexz Johnson doing back up? It sounds so much like her. I know Katie helped her with White Lines on Instant Star