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.
He was in the habit
Of taking things for granted, granted
There wasn't much for him to take
And the only thing constant
Was the constant reminder he'd never change
Tight fisted with his compliments
It didn't seem to bother him
That talk is even cheaper down in luck
And the only thing constant
Was the constant reminder he'd never change
And so she yelled at him
You owe me an IOU
Owe me an IOU
You owe me an IOU
Don't think that I'll forget
You owe me an IOU
Owe me an IOU
You owe me an IOU
Don't think that I'll forget
I know what I should get this time
She was in the habit
Of reapplying makeup, makeup
Beaten up by crocodile tears
And the only thing constant
Was the constant reminder she'd never change
Openly individual, cleverly traditional
She couldn't seem to makeup her mind
And the only thing constant
Was the constant reminder she'd never change
And so he yelled at her
You owe me an IOU
Owe me an IOU
You owe me an IOU
Don't think that I'll forget
You owe me an IOU
Owe me an IOU
You owe me an IOU
Don't think that I'll forget
I know what I should get this time
They were in the habit
Of taking things for granted, granted
They never quite knew what they had
And the only thing constant
Was the constant reminder they'd never change
And so they yelled at me out loud
You owe me an IOU
Owe me an IOU
You owe me an IOU
Don't think that I'll forget
You owe me an IOU
Owe me an IOU
You owe me an IOU
Don't think that I'll forget
I know what I should get
Yeah, I know what I should get this time
Of taking things for granted, granted
There wasn't much for him to take
And the only thing constant
Was the constant reminder he'd never change
Tight fisted with his compliments
It didn't seem to bother him
That talk is even cheaper down in luck
And the only thing constant
Was the constant reminder he'd never change
And so she yelled at him
You owe me an IOU
Owe me an IOU
You owe me an IOU
Don't think that I'll forget
You owe me an IOU
Owe me an IOU
You owe me an IOU
Don't think that I'll forget
I know what I should get this time
She was in the habit
Of reapplying makeup, makeup
Beaten up by crocodile tears
And the only thing constant
Was the constant reminder she'd never change
Openly individual, cleverly traditional
She couldn't seem to makeup her mind
And the only thing constant
Was the constant reminder she'd never change
And so he yelled at her
You owe me an IOU
Owe me an IOU
You owe me an IOU
Don't think that I'll forget
You owe me an IOU
Owe me an IOU
You owe me an IOU
Don't think that I'll forget
I know what I should get this time
They were in the habit
Of taking things for granted, granted
They never quite knew what they had
And the only thing constant
Was the constant reminder they'd never change
And so they yelled at me out loud
You owe me an IOU
Owe me an IOU
You owe me an IOU
Don't think that I'll forget
You owe me an IOU
Owe me an IOU
You owe me an IOU
Don't think that I'll forget
I know what I should get
Yeah, I know what I should get this time
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definitely my favorite song from 'elevator' so far...
Bridge:
Oh... Is it real? I don't know But, I'll act as if it is What's our deal? I don't know But, I'll act as if it is what I think that it is If it is, then this might just work
Perfect song about a relationship. Perfect in the sense it sounds so happy, the music that it, and the lyrics are totally emo. It's emo, without the depressing drearyness. Awesome song.
A guy and a girl in a relationship and they both love eachother but there are the little things that piss them off about eachother. They don't know how the other thinks about them and don't know how serious their relationship really is.
i love this song. most likey the best. i agree with maqik9113. i think they are both really conceided people.
the line"You owe me an IOU" doesnt seem like it has any significance to the song..atleast i cant find out,although my favorite line would have to be "Tight fisted with his compliments It didn't seem to bother him That talk is even cheaper TOLD IN BULK" ..im pretty sure thats what he really says.
love the chorus. veyr addictive
damnit i wish i could of found this song like a month or two ago it fits perfectly to me.
I thought it was "overtly individual covertly traditional" and it's definitely "told in bulk" but yeah I love this song... It's one of those annoying catchy songs that you almost don't want to like but after you hear it a couple times it grows on you... way addictive... and I love Hot Hot Heat
I love the wordplay in this song. "He was in the habit of taking things for granted, granted there wasn't much for him to take, the only thing constant was the constant reminder he'd never change"