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.
Cross-legged on the front lawn she’s had a bad pill
The lights of the city they can all go to hell
It’ll all come good if she can put in the hours
She wants to get into film but it’s gonna take years
She wishes she wrote songs like the ones that you hear
The boys are all 20 and they leave her on the edge
And she’s telling herself
They’ll see,
They’ll see the beauty in me
They’ll see the beauty it’s in my soul
They’ll see the beauty in me
They’ll see the beauty in me
They’ll see the beauty it’s in my soul
Her lift is waiting she’ll be there soon
Rocking forwards and backwards eyeballing the moon
Unwired like a child of the rich
She’s pretty and long and part of the scene
Playing with her phone like it’s a rosary
Should get up and take them all on now
And she’s telling herself
They’ll see,
They’ll see the beauty in me
They’ll see the beauty it’s in my soul
They’ll see the beauty in me
They’ll see the beauty in me
They’ll see the beauty it’s in my soul
First she can tell them why she’s so sad
Why this girl is crying
Of all the excuses that she’s ever had
Well she’s nearly 20 years old
Very old
Cross-legged on the front lawn she’s had a bad pill
The lights of the city they can all go to hell
It’ll all come good if she can put in the hours
The lights of the city they can all go to hell
It’ll all come good if she can put in the hours
She wants to get into film but it’s gonna take years
She wishes she wrote songs like the ones that you hear
The boys are all 20 and they leave her on the edge
And she’s telling herself
They’ll see,
They’ll see the beauty in me
They’ll see the beauty it’s in my soul
They’ll see the beauty in me
They’ll see the beauty in me
They’ll see the beauty it’s in my soul
Her lift is waiting she’ll be there soon
Rocking forwards and backwards eyeballing the moon
Unwired like a child of the rich
She’s pretty and long and part of the scene
Playing with her phone like it’s a rosary
Should get up and take them all on now
And she’s telling herself
They’ll see,
They’ll see the beauty in me
They’ll see the beauty it’s in my soul
They’ll see the beauty in me
They’ll see the beauty in me
They’ll see the beauty it’s in my soul
First she can tell them why she’s so sad
Why this girl is crying
Of all the excuses that she’s ever had
Well she’s nearly 20 years old
Very old
Cross-legged on the front lawn she’s had a bad pill
The lights of the city they can all go to hell
It’ll all come good if she can put in the hours
Lyrics submitted by perkypurce, edited by mktoronto
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'And she’s telling herself “They’ll see, They’ll see the beauty in me They’ll see the beauty it’s in my soul” '
i think this bit is talking about not vanity as such, but the desperate hope this girl has that someone will, indeed, see the beauty inside her.
"Inspired by an image I’ve had in my head for 20 years of a Sydney University student sitting cross-legged on the grass outside a party in York St, Glebe rocking forwards and backwards on a bad trip. It didn’t really come together in the recording until J. added the zither in the verses. People have warmed to this one at gigs. I guess there are a lot of bad pills around these days. The young girl now directs films – there’s a happy ending for you. "
direct quote from tim freedman
i can't believe nobody has commented on this song... its amazing easily the best song on their new album, i dont know why they havn't made a single of it.. just doesn't make sense to me anyway, i think its abuot a girl giong through a rough time, or who had a rough life. she is now doing ebtter for herself, maybe abuot someone overcoming hardships... and has grown too old for her age if that makes sense
This is one of those haunting songs, that feels like it's been written for me... haha.
"She wants to get into film but it’s gonna take years She wishes she wrote songs like the ones that you hear"
Of couse my passion is music, but i feel the same way.. then...
she’s telling herself “They’ll see, They’ll see the beauty in me They’ll see the beauty it’s in my soul”
I feel that this song is about youth vanity. Even though this girl may be vain, Freedman seems to have faith in - perhaps sympathy for - her.
This song just grabbed me from the first time I heard it. I completely identify with the chorus. When I was twenty, no one seemed to want to date me and I was convinced I was unattractive and I was just waiting for that person who would see my inner beauty.
Plus, that feeling at 20 when you think you know everything and are just so much older and wiser than the boys that are your age.
Of course, there's also Freedman's way of describing everyday actions. I particularly love "playing with her phone like it’s a rosary". His lyrics are just so evocative, which is why I love his music so much.