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 heard my Grandpa on my transistor radio
Though he turned in his bones twenty years ago
He said, "Kid, there's something that I'd like to show you
Get your things, it's time for us to go."
So I grabbed my backpack, my flashlight, and a bag of caramel corn
I got my bicycle and the radio, and I headed on the road
I said, "I'm ready for what I'm about to see."
We headed north until rain had turned to snow
Through rusty towns and dusty gravel road
And I said, "Grandpa, where is this thing you wanted to show me?"
He said, "Kid, you got a long way to go."
So I went through canyons, caves and catacombs
I sailed on bicycle boats
I slept in chapels and brothels (I met the nicest folks)
I said, "I'm ready for what I'm about to see."
I heard Grandpa on my transistor radio
He said, "Kid, it's time for me to go
And I know that there was something that I wanted to show you
But it's time for you to find it on your own."
Let me tell you about rage, when his signal died that day
There's nothing out there, and I don't care if they take my life away
I'm not ready
And I don't want to see
It's been years since I've heard my transistor radio
Yet I keep going to where it seems I'm meant to go
And I finally realize what he wanted to show me...
Where I am and where I've been is the show
Where I am and where I've been is the show
Though he turned in his bones twenty years ago
He said, "Kid, there's something that I'd like to show you
Get your things, it's time for us to go."
So I grabbed my backpack, my flashlight, and a bag of caramel corn
I got my bicycle and the radio, and I headed on the road
I said, "I'm ready for what I'm about to see."
We headed north until rain had turned to snow
Through rusty towns and dusty gravel road
And I said, "Grandpa, where is this thing you wanted to show me?"
He said, "Kid, you got a long way to go."
So I went through canyons, caves and catacombs
I sailed on bicycle boats
I slept in chapels and brothels (I met the nicest folks)
I said, "I'm ready for what I'm about to see."
I heard Grandpa on my transistor radio
He said, "Kid, it's time for me to go
And I know that there was something that I wanted to show you
But it's time for you to find it on your own."
Let me tell you about rage, when his signal died that day
There's nothing out there, and I don't care if they take my life away
I'm not ready
And I don't want to see
It's been years since I've heard my transistor radio
Yet I keep going to where it seems I'm meant to go
And I finally realize what he wanted to show me...
Where I am and where I've been is the show
Where I am and where I've been is the show
Lyrics submitted by ChWick419, edited by NorthWriter
Transistor Radio - Live Lyrics as written by Craig Minowa
Lyrics © O/B/O DistroKid
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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