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 was down in Amsterdam
Almost hurt myself to death
I pushed myself so hard just like the redlight girls
Well I cried and stopped to smile
I thought my career is over
And the dealer boys they had to bring me water
I stumbled over mountains
And the shadows of the street
I fell into the river
I cried and begged for mercy
And I talked to God on the telephone
But I really can't tell you what he told me
But it was a lie
No I really can't tell you what he told me
But it was a lie
When I came to in Amsterdam
The hotel showed a movie
With Marlon Brando and his friend Pacino
Well I thought that this is nice
And I'm sure I can relax now
But suddenly the room was full of demons
I escaped through the window
Almost ran a mile away
I had nowhere to go
So I cried and begged for mercy
And I talked to God on the telephone
But I really can't tell you what he told me
But it was a lie
No I really can't tell you what he told me
But it was a lie
But nothing seems to matter
In this lonesome dirty town
But for a short brief moment
I thought she was the one
And she and I were fighting
About sex, love and TV
That's why I had to get down
And talk to God on the telephone
But I really can't tell you what he told me
But it was a lie
No I really can't tell you what he told me
But it was a lie
Almost hurt myself to death
I pushed myself so hard just like the redlight girls
Well I cried and stopped to smile
I thought my career is over
And the dealer boys they had to bring me water
I stumbled over mountains
And the shadows of the street
I fell into the river
I cried and begged for mercy
And I talked to God on the telephone
But I really can't tell you what he told me
But it was a lie
No I really can't tell you what he told me
But it was a lie
When I came to in Amsterdam
The hotel showed a movie
With Marlon Brando and his friend Pacino
Well I thought that this is nice
And I'm sure I can relax now
But suddenly the room was full of demons
I escaped through the window
Almost ran a mile away
I had nowhere to go
So I cried and begged for mercy
And I talked to God on the telephone
But I really can't tell you what he told me
But it was a lie
No I really can't tell you what he told me
But it was a lie
But nothing seems to matter
In this lonesome dirty town
But for a short brief moment
I thought she was the one
And she and I were fighting
About sex, love and TV
That's why I had to get down
And talk to God on the telephone
But I really can't tell you what he told me
But it was a lie
No I really can't tell you what he told me
But it was a lie
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It's about a trip of Gustaf and Björn to Amsterdam. They tried a lot of drugs that are legal there and since they weren't really used to that, they completely freaked out. Björn thought he was talking to God on the telephone and that God was lying to him. When they watched the Godfather ("With Marlon Brando and his friend Pacino") they thought that the actors where talking to them out of the tv.
this is a paraphrase from a German interview before the CD came out where the interviewer asked what the song is about
GUSTAF: "It's about an experience me and Bjorn had in Amsterdam. . . It's uhhhh, not for children, not even for adults. . . it's a very frightening story, but it's all there on the album, I don't want to give out any details. It was the best night and the worst night of my life" Interviewer: "How did it end. . .?" BJORN: "It ended up with me phoning God" INTERVIEWER"what did he say?" BJORN: "I can't tell you. But, it was a lie"
Bjorn's last line is hilarious because the song wasn't even out yet, so the viewers had no idea that he answering the question with song lyrics. noisy_mod seems to be the closest to that description.
Hm, I'm from Amsterdam, so I'd like to know where this song is about.
they dont take drugs
noisy mod is right i believe
yea, this song sounds lot like the classic trip to amsterdam, red light district and lots of legalized weed, it makes that sortta freakyshit happen, aye
Sounds like one hell of a night, though.
Listen to the begininng of the song. Where it just sounds like they sing "Uuuuuhuuuuuhuuuh", they're singing "Bjööööööörn Olsson". And if you'll open the album, you'll find a picture of Björn Olsson, who should have produced Ode To Ochrasy, but backed out when he realized how many people who would listen to it. You'll also find the text "This album could have been produced by Björn Olsson". He produced Never Seen The Light Of Day, though. I love their sence of humor, I wonder who came up with the Bjöööööörn idea :) Great song!