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'm gonna let you down
I know that now
Make you cry, I know I will
Why should you believe
I would never leave
Or that I love you still
For all the by and by
Hard as we try
The bough breaks and the cradle falls
For everything I do
That will tear at you
Let me say I'm sorry now
So you can sing your song
You can get it wrong
You can kiss the rock of ages
And in your wildest dreams
You might see between
The liars and the sages
You can walk awhile
Down the mystery mile
you can beat the drums of freedom
And in love and war
Through the rush and the roar
You just call 'em like you see 'em
I know that now
Make you cry, I know I will
Why should you believe
I would never leave
Or that I love you still
For all the by and by
Hard as we try
The bough breaks and the cradle falls
For everything I do
That will tear at you
Let me say I'm sorry now
So you can sing your song
You can get it wrong
You can kiss the rock of ages
And in your wildest dreams
You might see between
The liars and the sages
You can walk awhile
Down the mystery mile
you can beat the drums of freedom
And in love and war
Through the rush and the roar
You just call 'em like you see 'em
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"Fast car" is kind of a continuation of Bruce Springsteen's "Born to Run." It has all the clawing your way to a better life, but in this case the protagonist never makes it with her love; in fact she is dragged back down by him.
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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This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere.
In general, it highlights the danger of hidden agendas, manipulation, and distraction, serving as a critique of those who exploit chaos and confusion to control and gain power, depicting a cautionary tale against falling into their traps. It encourages us to question the narratives presented to us and remain vigilant against manipulation in various parts of society.
Cajun Girl
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Overall about difficult moments of disappointment and vulnerability. Having hope and longing, while remaining optimistic for the future. Encourages the belief that with each new morning there is a chance for things to improve.
The chorus offers a glimmer of optimism and a chance at a resolution and redemption in the future.
Captures the rollercoaster of emotions of feeling lost while loving someone who is not there for you, feeling let down and abandoned while waiting for a lover. Lost with no direction, "Now I'm up in the air with the rain in my hair, Nowhere to go, I can go anywhere"
The bridge shows signs of longing and a plea for companionship. The Lyrics express a desire for authentic connection and the importance of Loving someone just as they are. "Just in passing, I'm not asking. That you be anyone but you”
No Surprises
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Same ideas expressed in Fitter, Happier are expressed in this song. We're told to strive for some sort of ideal life, which includes getting a good job, being kind to everyone, finding a partner, getting married, having a couple kids, living in a quiet neighborhood in a nice big house, etc. But in Fitter, Happier the narrator(?) realizes that it's incredibly robotic to live this life. People are being used by those in power "like a pig in a cage on antibiotics"--being pacified with things like new phones and cool gadgets and houses while being sucked dry. On No Surprises, the narrator is realizing how this life is killing him slowly. In the video, his helmet is slowly filling up with water, drowning him. But he's so complacent with it. This is a good summary of the song. This boring, "perfect" life foisted upon us by some higher powers (not spiritual, but political, economic, etc. politicians and businessmen, perhaps) is not the way to live. But there is seemingly no way out but death. He'd rather die peacefully right now than live in this cage. While our lives are often shielded, we're in our own protective bubbles, or protective helmets like the one Thom wears, if we look a little harder we can see all the corruption, lies, manipulation, etc. that is going on in the world, often run by huge yet nearly invisible organizations, corporations, and 'leaders'. It's a very hopeless song because it reflects real life.
This is a lullaby, but one so honest and bittersweet, it's absolutely lovely in all the right ways. Nearly a perfect song, in my opinion.
First, I think it's to her child, for a few reasons. "Hard as we try / The bough breaks and the cradle falls" definitely alludes to a baby and cradle. Also, it's clearly a lullaby tune. Pretty clear.
And the song is about life and what may come for this child. She's telling this baby, let me apologize to you now for all of this stuff that's going to happen to you -- all of the falls, the sadness, the pain and despair -- the life that's just going to happen, good and bad. Every parent knows this is going to happen to their kids, but this song; god, this is the honest truth right here.
She's saying, you can live your life, and you will. You'll sing your song and you will change your mind a lot ("you can get it wrong"), you might find religion ("kiss the rock of ages"), fall in love (I think "walk a while down the mystery mile"), go to war ("beat the drums of freedom"), and through it all, all this life, "through the rush and roar," you can only be true to yourself, you can only "call 'em like you see 'em." And, I think she's sorry for that too. Sorry that life's not more predictable, that people aren't more trustworthy, that you can't "see between the liars and the sages."
But, maybe that's just life. I think this song is the most succinct, clear, beautiful explanation of how wonderfully unpredictable and scary life can be, and I think the end just says, well, that's just how it is, just go with it.
Personally I think it's a little on the pessimistic side, because of course there's so much more to life than the bad stuff. But, learning to go with all of that is part of the process and I think that's what this is about.
Such a beautiful song, too. A perfect tune to carry this sweet sentiment. One of my all-time favorites, and my 2nd favorite of Colvin's songs (If I Were Brave being #1). It's been a while, glad I remembered it again.
"This is a lullaby, but one so honest and bittersweet, it's absolutely lovely in all the right ways. Nearly a perfect song, in my opinion."
Nearly perfect indeed. My one complaint would just be that its not long enough. Every time i hear it i wish there was at least one more verse. When i first heard it i didn't get the mother/child aspect. I first heard it in the movie Heart breakers which dealt with a breakup between a man/woman. But after reading your post i completely agree with your interpretation. I nearly cried after re-listening to it because i think it really does sum up my feelings toward my child. We wish they would never know pain but we can't protect them forever. All we can hope is that they are content with the choices they make.