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 took my sister down to the ocean
But the ocean made me feel stupid
Those words of wisdom I had prepared
All seemed to vanish into thin air
Into the waves I stared
I picked up a seashell
To illustrate my homelessness
But a crab crawled out of it
Making it useless
And all my metaphors fell flat
Down on the rocks where we sat
She asked where are you at?
But sister, it's the opposite of hallelujah
It's the opposite of being you
You don't know 'cause it just passes right through you
You don't know what I'm going through
You don't know what I'm going through
You don't know what I'm going through
You don't know what I'm going through
We made our way home on the bikes we had borrowed
I still never told you about unstoppable sorrow
You still think I'm someone to look up to
I still don't know anything about you
Is it in you too?
You've got so much to live for, little sister
You've got so much to live for
But sister, it's the opposite of hallelujah
It's the opposite of being you
You don't know cause it just passes right through you
You don't know what I'm going through
You don't know what I'm going through
You don't know what I'm going through
You don't know what I'm going through
You don't know what I'm going through
But the ocean made me feel stupid
Those words of wisdom I had prepared
All seemed to vanish into thin air
Into the waves I stared
I picked up a seashell
To illustrate my homelessness
But a crab crawled out of it
Making it useless
And all my metaphors fell flat
Down on the rocks where we sat
She asked where are you at?
But sister, it's the opposite of hallelujah
It's the opposite of being you
You don't know 'cause it just passes right through you
You don't know what I'm going through
You don't know what I'm going through
You don't know what I'm going through
You don't know what I'm going through
We made our way home on the bikes we had borrowed
I still never told you about unstoppable sorrow
You still think I'm someone to look up to
I still don't know anything about you
Is it in you too?
You've got so much to live for, little sister
You've got so much to live for
But sister, it's the opposite of hallelujah
It's the opposite of being you
You don't know cause it just passes right through you
You don't know what I'm going through
You don't know what I'm going through
You don't know what I'm going through
You don't know what I'm going through
You don't know what I'm going through
Lyrics submitted by voddo
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definitely one of my favourite jens songs (although it's so hard to choose). it's just gorgeous.
i agree with anyone who says this song is about depression. i think that's quite obvious. but i think it's even more specific than that. i think jens is attempting to tell his sister about love (and, of course, the depression that a recent break-up has caused him). this may just be a personal association, but anytime i hear the word "hallelujah," i think immediately of the leonard cohen song. for those not acquainted with it, it's a gorgeous bitter-sweet song about love - about its power, about its pain. so, for me, this song is about jens teaching his sister about life, especially the pain that love has recently caused him. i think at this point in his life, love has left him completely disillusioned, and he is trying to tell her that it's not all it's cracked up to be.
This song is so sweet, he's depressed and tries to talk to his sister and feels like she'll never be able to understand his pain and so on. We never really think of the fact that the people we see as perfect have the same troubles as we do, and that's why he says he still doesn't know anything about her. It all reminds me of me and my sis...
I also like the part where Jens wonders if his sister might develop depression too ("Is it in you too?"). Depression often runs in families.
"I still never told you about unstoppable sorrow You still think I'm someone to look up to I still don't know anything about you Is it in you too?"
just perfect
terrific!
so wonderful
oh and also, to me, it sounds just like depression. "the opposite of being you/you don't know cause it passes right through you" and then "unstoppable sorrow".
i love this song to death.
"We made our way home on the bikes we had borrowed I still never told you about unstoppable sorrow You still think I'm someone to look up to I still don't know anything about you Is it in you too?"
I fucking love that part. It feels like Jens is trying so hard to tell his sister about his pain. So good
On and fursoftasfur; LOVE the name!
Laffz, I signed up for this site for you... Fur Soft As Fur is a song by Boy Least Likely To --> Get the CD because it will sound nice to your ear like fresh strawberries and cream (also from that song)
Anyway, since I am on here now... This is a good song. I like it a lot actually... It relates in some ways to Antony's 'You Are My Sister'
What is his pain in this song? Is his brain in a haze and he has stored such a life in the underground as guilt (as he believes he isn't one to be looking up to) lapsing when he sits desiring to explain himself.
His understanding of the relationship between him and his sister is pretty good too. I feel when he talks about not knowing who she is.
Hojo. I knew it was a boy least likely to song. Thats why I love the name so much, it made me think of the song and the sweet comforting sound.
I love Jens imagery!! the idea of trying to be so serious and metaphorical and just falling flat on your face. ha, I can relate! Also, tis great how hes so serious, but so unbelievably light - i love "But the ocean made me feel stupid"! He he, makes me smile. Again... realising his sisters innocence and cherishing it, whilst being so absorbed in his own life and troubles.