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 could tell in the way
He did not kiss back
What's the use in painting faces
You're never gonna find a shade to match
Well yours is a common name
And I hear it all the time
Could belong to anyone
It could never be mine
I am tired
I am through
When I love I will love so hard
Harder than I could love with you
There's nothing in your eyes
But slightly amused
An offer of me you politely refused
Is it that my heart beat too loud
Is it that I did not bid it come down
Your round about etiquette
You hold the door but you won't let me in
I am tired
I am through
When I love I will love so hard
Harder than I could love with you
Harder than I could love with you
I won't make you flex emotion
I won't make you come a little closer
Do what you want
Don't do it for me
What's the use in chivalry
I am tired
I am through
When I love I will love so hard
Harder than I could love with you
Harder than I could love with you
I could tell in the way
He did not kiss back...
I could tell in the way
He did not kiss back
What's the use in painting faces
You're never gonna find a shade to match
Well yours is a common name
And I hear it all the time
Could belong to anyone
It could never be mine
I am tired
I am through
When I love I will love so hard
Harder than I could love with you
There's nothing in your eyes
But slightly amused
An offer of me you politely refused
Is it that my heart beat too loud
Is it that I did not bid it come down
Your round about etiquette
You hold the door but you won't let me in
I am tired
I am through
When I love I will love so hard
Harder than I could love with you
Harder than I could love with you
I won't make you flex emotion
I won't make you come a little closer
Do what you want
Don't do it for me
What's the use in chivalry
I am tired
I am through
When I love I will love so hard
Harder than I could love with you
Harder than I could love with you
I could tell in the way
He did not kiss back...
I could tell in the way
Lyrics submitted by thepalacewall
Chivalry Lyrics as written by Thao Nguyen
Lyrics © DOMINO PUBLISHING COMPANY
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
More Featured Meanings
Standing On The Edge Of Summer
Thursday
Thursday
Mountain Song
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction vocalist Perry Farrell gives Adam Reader some heartfelt insight into Jane’s Addiction's hard rock manifesto "Mountain Song", which was the second single from their revolutionary album Nothing's Shocking. Mountain song was first recorded in 1986 and appeared on the soundtrack to the film Dudes starring Jon Cryer. The version on Nothing's Shocking was re-recorded in 1988.
"'Mountain Song' was actually about... I hate to say it but... drugs. Climbing this mountain and getting as high as you can, and then coming down that mountain," reveals Farrell. "What it feels to descend from the mountain top... not easy at all. The ascension is tough but exhilarating. Getting down is... it's a real bummer. Drugs is not for everybody obviously. For me, I wanted to experience the heights, and the lows come along with it."
"There's a part - 'Cash in now honey, cash in Miss Smith.' Miss Smith is my Mother; our last name was Smith. Cashing in when she cashed in her life. So... she decided that, to her... at that time, she was desperate. Life wasn't worth it for her, that was her opinion. Some people think, never take your life, and some people find that their life isn't worth living. She was in love with my Dad, and my Dad was not faithful to her, and it broke her heart. She was very desperate and she did something that I know she regrets."
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/
Magical
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
How would you describe the feeling of being in love? For Ed Sheeran, the word is “Magical.” in HIS three-minute album opener, he makes an attempt to capture the beauty and delicacy of true love with words. He describes the magic of it all over a bright Pop song produced by Aaron Dessner.
Yours is a common name and I hear it all the time Could belong to anyone it could never be mine...
I love those lines, mainly because my ex's name is very common and it's so hard to get over and away from someone when you hear their name everywhere.
Also, the lines "Is it that my heart beat too loud? Is it I did not bid it come down?" really hit me hard because I was recently in a relationship where I felt my heart was completely into it and the person knew how much I loved them, and when I thought they were on the same page they were actually so far off.
Like all of you, this song has so much meaning to me because of my recent break-up, and it hits home, but as for the meaning I think the name explains it all...
"Do what you want don't do it for me, what's the use in Chivalry?"--she's not actually condemning chivalry, just the act of doing something because you feel you "should" as opposed to actually WANTING to do it for the other person. Sort of like being in a relationship with someone and telling them you love them because you feel that's how you should be acting, when really you don't feel that way. Chivalry just perpetuates the confusion between men and women, and makes it easier for men to pretend. How many guys out there really are chivalrous because they want to be vs. how many do it because they think they have to? That's the difference between someone whose heart is really into it vs. someone who doesn't really know how to, or can't love as deeply.