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 counted on my private Altamont
Trusted it all along
But now I'm on my way
We left the house
Your fingers in my mouth
Stacked crooked all along
But now I'm on my way
Stacked crooked all along
But now I'm on my way
Ooh
The force sat through the red light of the hours
I tried to imagine it
I couldn't imagine it
The vantage falling from the ivory tower
I tried to imagine it
I couldn't imagine it
You clicked and tossed
Your cryptic crossword loss
You then abandoned talks
And now it's hard to say
While we would weep
In smoke-and-mirror states
Stacked crooked all along
But now I'm on my way
Stacked crooked all along
But now I'm on my way
Ooh
The force sat through the red light of the hours
I tried to imagine it
I couldn't imagine it
The vantage falling from the ivory tower
I tried to imagine it
I couldn't imagine it
Do not, do not deny me
Tonight I lost a deal
Do not, do not deny me
My Achilles' heal
Do not, do not deny my
Attention to detail
Do not, do not deny me
The clicking of the heels
Do not, do not deny me
Deny my loss of feel
Do not, do not deny me
My Achilles' Heel
Do not ,do not deny my
Attention to detail
Do not, do not deny me
The clicking of the heels
Trusted it all along
But now I'm on my way
We left the house
Your fingers in my mouth
Stacked crooked all along
But now I'm on my way
Stacked crooked all along
But now I'm on my way
Ooh
The force sat through the red light of the hours
I tried to imagine it
I couldn't imagine it
The vantage falling from the ivory tower
I tried to imagine it
I couldn't imagine it
You clicked and tossed
Your cryptic crossword loss
You then abandoned talks
And now it's hard to say
While we would weep
In smoke-and-mirror states
Stacked crooked all along
But now I'm on my way
Stacked crooked all along
But now I'm on my way
Ooh
The force sat through the red light of the hours
I tried to imagine it
I couldn't imagine it
The vantage falling from the ivory tower
I tried to imagine it
I couldn't imagine it
Do not, do not deny me
Tonight I lost a deal
Do not, do not deny me
My Achilles' heal
Do not, do not deny my
Attention to detail
Do not, do not deny me
The clicking of the heels
Do not, do not deny me
Deny my loss of feel
Do not, do not deny me
My Achilles' Heel
Do not ,do not deny my
Attention to detail
Do not, do not deny me
The clicking of the heels
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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.
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I don't think it's necessarily about sex. It's about wanting to start the day with some love and affection. Maybe a warm cuddle. I'm not alone in interpreting it that way! For example:
"'Just a Little Lovin’ is a timeless country song originally recorded by Eddy Arnold in 1954. The song, written by Eddie Miller and Jimmy Campbell, explores the delicate nuances of love and showcases Arnold’s emotive vocals. It delves into the universal theme of love and how even the smallest gesture of affection can have a profound impact on our lives." https://oldtimemusic.com/the-meaning-behind-the-song-just-a-little-lovin-by-eddy-arnold/
Head > Heels
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“Head > Heels” is a track that aims to capture what it feels like to experience romance that exceeds expectations. Ed Sheeran dedicates his album outro to a lover who has blessed him with a unique experience that he seeks to describe through the song’s nuanced lyrics.
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"Altamont" Speedway was the location of the infamous Rolling Stones concert in '69 where an audience member was knifed to death by a member of the Hell's Angels (who were hired by the Stones as security) - it was suggested the audience member was holding a handgun. The event has long been associated with the end of the 60s love and peace era.
I suspect Carl is using the phrase "private Altamont" to refer to a personal "end-of-an-era" moment.