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.
Oh my God, a winter for a year
Oh my God, a winter for a year
And I cleaned out the back of my wardrobe for a year
Jackets never turn into branches
Not while you're not here
Oh my God, a winter for a year
Oh my God, a winter for a year
I kept my life so cold
Every breath just fogs up all the mirrors
The tears are frozen long
Long before I ever thought of crying
So ends my year-long romance
With radio towers and machines
Wasted all my prayers
That I can't remember my dreams
But I don't mind
Oh my God, a winter for a year
Oh my God, a winter for a year
And I cleaned out the back of my wardrobe for a year
Jackets never turn into branches
Not while you're not here
So ends my year-long romance
With radio towers and machines
Wasted all my prayers
That I can't remember my dreams
But I don't mind
No, I don't
No, I don't care anymore
Oh my God, a winter for a year
And I cleaned out the back of my wardrobe for a year
Jackets never turn into branches
Not while you're not here
Oh my God, a winter for a year
Oh my God, a winter for a year
I kept my life so cold
Every breath just fogs up all the mirrors
The tears are frozen long
Long before I ever thought of crying
So ends my year-long romance
With radio towers and machines
Wasted all my prayers
That I can't remember my dreams
But I don't mind
Oh my God, a winter for a year
Oh my God, a winter for a year
And I cleaned out the back of my wardrobe for a year
Jackets never turn into branches
Not while you're not here
So ends my year-long romance
With radio towers and machines
Wasted all my prayers
That I can't remember my dreams
But I don't mind
No, I don't
No, I don't care anymore
Lyrics submitted by Rcntly2stepping, edited by Mellow_Harsher
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It does have a few references to The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe... the whole year-long winter and jackets turning into branches. But I love the meaning he gives them:
"Oh my god a winter for a year Oh my god a winter for a year And I cleaned out the back of my wardrobe for a year Jackets never turn into branches Not while you're not here"
He's stuck in the neverending winter until his love returns, it's impossible to visit their magic place while she's gone.
Nobody has commented on this song yet?
I love it. I love the twangy picking sound at the beginning. I love the reference to a seemingly never-ending winter. Yet another emotional connection that is overcome by static and interference and cold.
i think the lines "and i cleaned out the back of my wardrobe for a year/ jackets never turn into branches/ not while you're not here" is a reference to the chronicles of narnia..
Such a great song. My favorite line is "So ends my year-long romance with radio towers and machines" which might be talking about how hard it can be to stay in touch with people you love.
I love how Neil Young-ish it is!!
I've listened to this song a couple of times and I'm near positive that "and I cleaned out the back of my wardrobe for a year" should be "Been knocking at the back of my wardrobe for a year"
The Narnia reference is definitely there, but I think mitsukai_zero might be looking at these lyrics with rose colored glasses. The 'year-long romance...with radio towers and machines' is literal. Essentially this is a story about a failed long-distance relationship after a year of separation. The mystery and magic of the relationship is gone, hence he cannot Find Narnia, if you catch the drift. The second verse sounds to me like he's saying 'I still tried, but I knew deep down it couldn't work and I turned away options(I kept my life so cold...Every breath just fogs up all the mirrors)'. Kinda depressing, but the song is still great, and all great art comes from honesty and pain.