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 sat up thinkin' late last night
Do they have a way to count the stars
There's a lot of scientific minds
That claim to know what all the answers are
Well if that's the case
How much does the world weigh
Somebody's probably worked it out
You can look up what the experts say
But all you gotta do is look around
You'd be surprised who knows
Ask that woman tryin' to make the rent
And pay the bills and feed the kids
Six months ago their daddy walked away
Ask that man whose family stayed around
'Cause he finally put that bottle down
Now he has to fight that battle every day
Hey, how much does the world weigh
Human spirit is a funny thing
How far it bends before it breaks
To keep the world from caving in
How much strength does it take
Well don't ask me
Ask that couple in the waiting room
The doctors say it's still too soon
It's their little girl, all they can do is pray
Ask that little boy who's gotta choose
Mom or Dad, either way he'll lose
They're breakin' up and he thinks he's to blame
Hey, how much does the world weigh
Ask that man hangin' on the cross
His last breath will save the lost
The answer's in the tears on his face
Hey, how much does the world weigh
Well, how much does the world weigh
Well, how much does the world weigh
Do they have a way to count the stars
There's a lot of scientific minds
That claim to know what all the answers are
Well if that's the case
How much does the world weigh
Somebody's probably worked it out
You can look up what the experts say
But all you gotta do is look around
You'd be surprised who knows
Ask that woman tryin' to make the rent
And pay the bills and feed the kids
Six months ago their daddy walked away
Ask that man whose family stayed around
'Cause he finally put that bottle down
Now he has to fight that battle every day
Hey, how much does the world weigh
Human spirit is a funny thing
How far it bends before it breaks
To keep the world from caving in
How much strength does it take
Well don't ask me
Ask that couple in the waiting room
The doctors say it's still too soon
It's their little girl, all they can do is pray
Ask that little boy who's gotta choose
Mom or Dad, either way he'll lose
They're breakin' up and he thinks he's to blame
Hey, how much does the world weigh
Ask that man hangin' on the cross
His last breath will save the lost
The answer's in the tears on his face
Hey, how much does the world weigh
Well, how much does the world weigh
Well, how much does the world weigh
Lyrics submitted by OpinionHead
How Much Does the World Weigh Lyrics as written by Lee Thomas Miller Larry Michael White
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
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
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
"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.
Holiday
Bee Gees
Bee Gees
@[Diderik:33655] "Your a holiday!" Was a popular term used in the 50s/60s to compliment someone on their all around. For example, not only are they beautiful, but they are fun and kind too ... just an all around "holiday".
I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
Blue
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Blue” is a song about a love that is persisting in the discomfort of the person experiencing the emotion. Ed Sheeran reflects on love lost, and although he wishes his former partner find happiness, he cannot but admit his feelings are still very much there. He expresses the realization that he might never find another on this stringed instrumental by Aaron Dessner.
Plastic Bag
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Plastic Bag” is a song about searching for an escape from personal problems and hoping to find it in the lively atmosphere of a Saturday night party. Ed Sheeran tells the story of his friend and the myriad of troubles he is going through. Unable to find any solutions, this friend seeks a last resort in a party and the vanity that comes with it.
“I overthink and have trouble sleepin’ / All purpose gone and don’t have a reason / And there’s no doctor to stop this bleedin’ / So I left home and jumped in the deep end,” Ed Sheeran sings in verse one. He continues by adding that this person is feeling the weight of having disappointed his father and doesn’t have any friends to rely on in this difficult moment. In the second verse, Ed sings about the role of grief in his friend’s plight and his dwindling faith in prayer. “Saturday night is givin’ me a reason to rely on the strobe lights / The lifeline of a promise in a shot glass, and I’ll take that / If you’re givin’ out love from a plastic bag,” Ed sings on the chorus, as his friend turns to new vices in hopes of feeling better.