Tourist Trap

does anyone else think that the line "there's people here but you are gone" might refer to neely jenkins? they grew up together in omaha...

This song seems to be about how Omaha is expanding and becoming an urban city (or "tourist trap"), when he always viewed it as his small, rural home town. This is much like his career in the sense that he really started from scratch with his friends to form Saddle Creek and produce these records for themselves, and now, that close, personal attachment to their music is being shared by millions and millions of fans; (sadly, much of whom are only following the latest trend. These are the people I believe he's referring to with the lines "they say my name like a guessing game is that really you? no I dont think it ever was").

He's explaining how when he returns home, he only wishes that times could be like they were, when things were simple and he could love and be loved by his true friends.

Such an unbelievably beautiful song. Does this song remind anyone else of John Lennon's Happy Christmas (War is Over)?

im pretty sure the lyrics are "the frets on the board, my progression of chords" as in, the fretboard of a guitar, chords... as in, well chords.

it seems like this song is a realization of sorts. he's written a lot about wanting to go back home and stop touring. i think this song is about how he finally got a break and could spend some time home, and it wasn't what he remembered. his hometown has changed, people he knew have gone, and it's just not the place where he belongs anymore.

how he says that all he can think about is the fall, and "the frets on the board, my progression of chords". most likely he is going back on tour in the fall, and he is looking toward that with an anticipation he never thought he would feel.

i mean, it's really obvious what this song means, it's not cryptic or metaphorical (or if it is, the metaphor is over my head). but it is moving in a way... the realization that not only has your home changed, but you have too, and you just don't belong there anymore.

this is what i got:

it's not road we use to know they tore some buildings down. the traffic's like a pack of dogs.

there's fewer trees when those fleas concrete on the lawn there's people here but you are gone

and i'm fine, still swimming though time afraid some days ive reached the shore "make yourself free, man" said thats me now my heart is like an open doors

and road finally gave me back but i don't think i'll unpack cause im not sure if i live here anymore

its not my weight that makes me faint or the sugar in my blood but the way these strangers stand so close

they say my name like guessing game "hey, is that really you?" No, i dont think it ever was

in the spring when the worlds turning green i only think about the fall the frets on the board my progression of chords oh, how i want this to resolve

and the road finally gave me back but i don't think ill unpack cause i'm not sure i live here anymore

also, i think its "make yourself free, the man said to me, now my heart is like an open door."

CORRECTIONS:

there's fewer trees, windows, fleas there's concrete on the lawn

MAN said that to me

It's not my weight that makes me faint, or the sugar in my blood, but the way these strangers stand so close

the freTs on the board

man I love this song, it's probably one of my favorite BE songs and I only heard it a few days ago.

its a bit plodding...anyone else dissapointed with his new ep?

no I'm not disappointed at all I love it

can't freakin wait for cassadaga