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.
World is turnin'
I hope it don't turn away
The world is turnin'
I hope it don't turn away
All my pictures are fallin'
From the wall where I placed them yesterday
World is turnin'
I hope it don't turn away
I need a crowd of people, but I can't face them day to day
I need a crowd of people, but I can't face them day to day
Though my problems are meaningless, that don't make them go away
I need a crowd of people, but I can't face them day to day
I went to the radio interview, but I ended up alone at the microphone
I went to the radio interview, but I ended up alone at the microphone
Now I'm livin' out here on the beach, but those seagulls are still out of reach
Went to the radio interview, but I ended up alone at the microphone
Get out of town, think I'll get out of town
Get out of town, think I'll get out of town
I head for the sticks with my bus and friends
I follow the road, though I don't know where it ends
Get out of town, get out of town, think I'll get out of town
'Cause the world is turnin'
I don't want to see it turn away
I hope it don't turn away
The world is turnin'
I hope it don't turn away
All my pictures are fallin'
From the wall where I placed them yesterday
World is turnin'
I hope it don't turn away
I need a crowd of people, but I can't face them day to day
I need a crowd of people, but I can't face them day to day
Though my problems are meaningless, that don't make them go away
I need a crowd of people, but I can't face them day to day
I went to the radio interview, but I ended up alone at the microphone
I went to the radio interview, but I ended up alone at the microphone
Now I'm livin' out here on the beach, but those seagulls are still out of reach
Went to the radio interview, but I ended up alone at the microphone
Get out of town, think I'll get out of town
Get out of town, think I'll get out of town
I head for the sticks with my bus and friends
I follow the road, though I don't know where it ends
Get out of town, get out of town, think I'll get out of town
'Cause the world is turnin'
I don't want to see it turn away
Lyrics submitted by Roland Ripley
On the Beach Lyrics as written by Neil Young
Lyrics © Hipgnosis Songs Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere.
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Great version of a great song,
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I think the lyrics are clearly about the hardships of being famous. He needs the fame to live and survive, but can only take so much of it and wants them to just go away. The first time I heard this song my mind was blown. "All my pictures are fallin from the wall where I placed them yesterday". Who knew such simple words could have so much meaning? "Though my problems are meaningless, that don't make them go away." I love this line. This represents my life right now. I think it says that just because others don't see your problems as meaningful and important, it doesn't mean it's not a problem for you still. Perhaps Neil was referring to when "normal" people say that rich and famous people have no reason to bitch about their problems because they can't possibly have any.
I don't think this song only applies to fame either. It represents me very well right now. I'm 18, getting serious about school, meeting girls, driving my own car, no rent money to pay since I still live at home. Basically I'm beginning the period of life that many feel is the prime of life, or "living on the beach". But I have trouble recognizing it sometimes. I have this "is this it?" kind of feeling constantly, and I feel ashamed for even feeling that, but it's the truth. I'm livin' on the beach but I don't know how to enjoy it.