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.
I haven’t see you around since I was a youth
Yeah, they’ve really cleaned up this town
They cracked down on you
But lately I see changes
I see some beautiful changes
You’re back, Ratso Rizzo
You’re back, Ratso Rizzo
I’m glad, Ratso Rizzo
You’re back in town
Yeah, every hang-out I had had become a boutique
And every local bar turned to one with a theme
But thanks to a deep recession
There’s no more gentrification
You’re back, Ratso Rizo
You’re back, Ratso Rizo
I’m glad, Ratso Rizo
You’re back in town
You’re back in town
Hangin’ around
You are my pal
Lately I see changes
I see some beautiful changes
Some beaten-up faces
Yeah, you strut around wasted
It makes me elated
You’re back, Ratso Rizzo…
You’re back, Ratso Rizo
I’m glad, Ratso Rizo
You’re back in town
You’re back in town
Hangin’ around
You are my pal
Ratso Rizzo
Yeah, they’ve really cleaned up this town
They cracked down on you
But lately I see changes
I see some beautiful changes
You’re back, Ratso Rizzo
You’re back, Ratso Rizzo
I’m glad, Ratso Rizzo
You’re back in town
Yeah, every hang-out I had had become a boutique
And every local bar turned to one with a theme
But thanks to a deep recession
There’s no more gentrification
You’re back, Ratso Rizo
You’re back, Ratso Rizo
I’m glad, Ratso Rizo
You’re back in town
You’re back in town
Hangin’ around
You are my pal
Lately I see changes
I see some beautiful changes
Some beaten-up faces
Yeah, you strut around wasted
It makes me elated
You’re back, Ratso Rizzo…
You’re back, Ratso Rizo
I’m glad, Ratso Rizo
You’re back in town
You’re back in town
Hangin’ around
You are my pal
Ratso Rizzo
Lyrics submitted by drumlink
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