I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
There was no way out
The only way out was to give in
When there's no way out
The only way out is to give in
How I love to
How I love to
How I love to give in
Here, no one sleeps
One lays up while the other lies down
Where no one sleeps
One lays up while the other lies down
Ask the line on your face
What the line on your hand meant
We, we couldn't see what was coming
Shake your head, it's empty
Shake your hips, move your feet
Shake your head, it's empty
Shake your hips, move your feet
Shake your head, it's empty
Shake your head, it's empty
Shake your head, it's empty
Shake your head, it's empty
I'm so glad that I'm an island
I'm so glad that I'm an island
I'm so glad that I'm an island now
Ba, ba, da, da
Ba, ba, da, da
Ba, ba, da, da
Ba, ba, da, da
Ba, ba, da, da
Ba, ba, da, da
Sickness was fixing me some
Coughed out my heart in the last stall
Now that the damage is done
I never miss it at all
The only way out was to give in
When there's no way out
The only way out is to give in
How I love to
How I love to
How I love to give in
Here, no one sleeps
One lays up while the other lies down
Where no one sleeps
One lays up while the other lies down
Ask the line on your face
What the line on your hand meant
We, we couldn't see what was coming
Shake your head, it's empty
Shake your hips, move your feet
Shake your head, it's empty
Shake your hips, move your feet
Shake your head, it's empty
Shake your head, it's empty
Shake your head, it's empty
Shake your head, it's empty
I'm so glad that I'm an island
I'm so glad that I'm an island
I'm so glad that I'm an island now
Ba, ba, da, da
Ba, ba, da, da
Ba, ba, da, da
Ba, ba, da, da
Ba, ba, da, da
Ba, ba, da, da
Sickness was fixing me some
Coughed out my heart in the last stall
Now that the damage is done
I never miss it at all
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More Featured Meanings
Dreamwalker
Silent Planet
Silent Planet
Gentle Hour
Yo La Tengo
Yo La Tengo
This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
Just A Little Lovin'
Dusty Springfield
Dusty Springfield
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/
Blue
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Blue” is a song about a love that is persisting in the discomfort of the person experiencing the emotion. Ed Sheeran reflects on love lost, and although he wishes his former partner find happiness, he cannot but admit his feelings are still very much there. He expresses the realization that he might never find another on this stringed instrumental by Aaron Dessner.
American Town
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran shares a short story of reconnecting with an old flame on “American Town.” The track is about a holiday Ed Sheeran spends with his countrywoman who resides in America. The two are back together after a long period apart, and get around to enjoying a bunch of fun activities while rekindling the flames of their romance.
Sickness was fixing me some Carved out my heart in the last stall Now that the damage is done I never miss it at all
I always thought the last few lines of the song went like that which would make so much more sense. If you carve out your heart in a bathroom stall like it was your love to say and give than lose it like it was as if as nothing. Now that the loss of love is gone and hence 'the damage is done' and to bring in her solo lyrics 'nothing is golden' she would rather feeling emotionless empathy towards what she lost in a love than face the shame and pain of it's reality. She is only further emphasizing the conditional trait of so many who resort, including herself, to drugs and various other deterrents that deprive emotional connection to the consequences and realities of their lives and actions. Like us all, we'd instinctively rather face away than succumb to the shame of out actions or addictions. It only, in this one set of lyrics, is the collection and tendency to culminate in thought the point of her title 'empty'. Emptiness is a trait we can all relate to. My explanation just tends to get more specific.