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.
It is not that I cannot deal with it
Or bear the punishment
Give me the bullet I deserve
But it wasn't my idea
There is no room for error
In a balanced house of cards
How the hell did it collapse
There was no wind at all
Someone must have cut the leash
To corrupt the entertainment
Maybe it was me
But it wasn't my idea
Northern light mentality
Deadened inconceivable
I really try to feel ashamed
But i feel nothing at all
Take a drag take a drag
May it stick inside your throat
May it cause you to forget
But it wasn't my idea
Be aware of me again
Switch off your smile
Delete the file
And look at me again
Champagne for all
Champagne for all
Add your insanity to mine
And maybe there's a way
Maybe we'll be safe
My desire is your desire
Only in a different shape
A feedback in the matrix
But it wasn't my idea
The mask is nice to wear
Extremely accurate
Und du weisst nicht
Mit wer du sprichst
Und nichts ist wie es scheint
These drops are killing me
How come they taste so sweet
What a meaningless joke
(But it wasn't my idea)
Take a drag take a drag
May it stick inside your throat
May it cause you to forget
But it wasn't my idea
Be aware of me again
Switch off your smile
Delete the file
And look at me again
All I am is the observer
Of the total dissolution
Of my ability to feel
(But it wasn't my idea)
Champagne for all
Champagne for all
Add your insanity to mine
And maybe there's a way
Maybe we'll be safe
Or bear the punishment
Give me the bullet I deserve
But it wasn't my idea
There is no room for error
In a balanced house of cards
How the hell did it collapse
There was no wind at all
Someone must have cut the leash
To corrupt the entertainment
Maybe it was me
But it wasn't my idea
Northern light mentality
Deadened inconceivable
I really try to feel ashamed
But i feel nothing at all
Take a drag take a drag
May it stick inside your throat
May it cause you to forget
But it wasn't my idea
Be aware of me again
Switch off your smile
Delete the file
And look at me again
Champagne for all
Champagne for all
Add your insanity to mine
And maybe there's a way
Maybe we'll be safe
My desire is your desire
Only in a different shape
A feedback in the matrix
But it wasn't my idea
The mask is nice to wear
Extremely accurate
Und du weisst nicht
Mit wer du sprichst
Und nichts ist wie es scheint
These drops are killing me
How come they taste so sweet
What a meaningless joke
(But it wasn't my idea)
Take a drag take a drag
May it stick inside your throat
May it cause you to forget
But it wasn't my idea
Be aware of me again
Switch off your smile
Delete the file
And look at me again
All I am is the observer
Of the total dissolution
Of my ability to feel
(But it wasn't my idea)
Champagne for all
Champagne for all
Add your insanity to mine
And maybe there's a way
Maybe we'll be safe
Lyrics submitted by merren
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
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,
No Surprises
Radiohead
Radiohead
Same ideas expressed in Fitter, Happier are expressed in this song. We're told to strive for some sort of ideal life, which includes getting a good job, being kind to everyone, finding a partner, getting married, having a couple kids, living in a quiet neighborhood in a nice big house, etc. But in Fitter, Happier the narrator(?) realizes that it's incredibly robotic to live this life. People are being used by those in power "like a pig in a cage on antibiotics"--being pacified with things like new phones and cool gadgets and houses while being sucked dry. On No Surprises, the narrator is realizing how this life is killing him slowly. In the video, his helmet is slowly filling up with water, drowning him. But he's so complacent with it. This is a good summary of the song. This boring, "perfect" life foisted upon us by some higher powers (not spiritual, but political, economic, etc. politicians and businessmen, perhaps) is not the way to live. But there is seemingly no way out but death. He'd rather die peacefully right now than live in this cage. While our lives are often shielded, we're in our own protective bubbles, or protective helmets like the one Thom wears, if we look a little harder we can see all the corruption, lies, manipulation, etc. that is going on in the world, often run by huge yet nearly invisible organizations, corporations, and 'leaders'. It's a very hopeless song because it reflects real life.
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.
American Town
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran shares a short story of reconnecting with an old flame on “American Town.” The track is about a holiday Ed Sheeran spends with his countrywoman who resides in America. The two are back together after a long period apart, and get around to enjoying a bunch of fun activities while rekindling the flames of their romance.