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.
But for the cum in your hair,
The cocaine on your teeth
You'd be just like the girls
That I kissed on the heath
Your mother left and you're all alone
And the world is at your feet
You smell like ash, mildew and hash
Can barely even speak
And it's so sad that you're so sad and you're so bad for me
I followed your perfume as you ran down the street
I caught you and held you and pushed back your fringe and swore undying loyalty
We'll make a new art for the people,
A new art for the people
A new art for the people
you and me.
I followed you home
Knocked at your door
Offered myself in the kitchen
Passed out on the floor
And when you shout, I get terrified
And then I love you more
You sound middle class, but I'll let it pass,
I don't understand you at all
And it's so sad that you're so sad and you're so bad for me
I swallowed my pride with a pill and decided to give you back your key
You caught me and held me and I took your hand and swore undying loyalty
We'll make a new art for the people,
A new art for the people
A new art for the people
you and me.
Under the covers forever
Everything well within reach
A small price to pay for our freedom
And for our celebrity
Such ornaments and gorgeous things
Like string lights at the beach
Intensive care and conditioned air
And our faces on TV
And it's so sad but they're so glad that you're so bad for me
The dark days ahead and the blood on the bed and the cover of the NME
They gave us a cheque and took us by our necks and swore undying loyalty
We'll make a new art for the people,
A new art for the people
A new art for the people
you and me.
The cocaine on your teeth
You'd be just like the girls
That I kissed on the heath
Your mother left and you're all alone
And the world is at your feet
You smell like ash, mildew and hash
Can barely even speak
And it's so sad that you're so sad and you're so bad for me
I followed your perfume as you ran down the street
I caught you and held you and pushed back your fringe and swore undying loyalty
We'll make a new art for the people,
A new art for the people
A new art for the people
you and me.
I followed you home
Knocked at your door
Offered myself in the kitchen
Passed out on the floor
And when you shout, I get terrified
And then I love you more
You sound middle class, but I'll let it pass,
I don't understand you at all
And it's so sad that you're so sad and you're so bad for me
I swallowed my pride with a pill and decided to give you back your key
You caught me and held me and I took your hand and swore undying loyalty
We'll make a new art for the people,
A new art for the people
A new art for the people
you and me.
Under the covers forever
Everything well within reach
A small price to pay for our freedom
And for our celebrity
Such ornaments and gorgeous things
Like string lights at the beach
Intensive care and conditioned air
And our faces on TV
And it's so sad but they're so glad that you're so bad for me
The dark days ahead and the blood on the bed and the cover of the NME
They gave us a cheque and took us by our necks and swore undying loyalty
We'll make a new art for the people,
A new art for the people
A new art for the people
you and me.
Lyrics submitted by Noli
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This song makes me cry. It's so gorgeous.
I think the first two verses are describing this abusive relationship between two people, and then in the third verse they're being abused by fame, the media etc. They draw parallels like how she says that she's terrified when he shouts but then loves him more, that's like a tradeoff she makes, and then they later say how hiding out under the covers is a worthy tradeoff for their 'freedom' and celebrity. I also think that they see all the shit they have to go through as a price for being able to make the "new art for the people"
They also play around with this theme of undying loyalty, and they act like swearing to be loyal to one another is this amazing wonderful thing, but in the third verse the undying loyalty is the trap that forces them to put up with all the unwanted attention and whatnot. Loyalty isn't a virtue if it's just tethering yourself to something bad for you.