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.
Baby went to Amsterdam
She put a little money into travelling
Now it's so slow, so slow
Baby went to Amsterdam
Four, five days for the big canal
Now it's so slow, so slow
And I was heading up north
To a place that I know
Eating well, sleeping well
But still I was way, way out of line
Amsterdam was stuck in my mind
Oh, it's a kind of stupid groove
That you can't ignore
Oh, it's a kind of natural fact
Sometimes you're just left to be alone
Baby went to Amsterdam
She put a little money into traveling
Now it's so slow, so slow
Baby went to Amsterdam
Four, five days for the big canal
Now it's so slow, so slow
And I got to go away
To a place of my own
Working hard, fill my time
From that day on, till I hit the bed
Amsterdam was stuck in my head
Oh, it's a kind of stupid groove
That you can't ignore
Oh, it's a kind of natural fact
Sometimes you're just left to be alone
Baby went to Amsterdam
She put a little money into traveling
Now it's so slow, so slow
Baby went to Amsterdam
Four, five days for the big canal
Now it's so slow, so slow
Baby went to Amsterdam
She put a little money into traveling
Now it's so slow, so slow
Baby went to Amsterdam
Four, five days for the big canal
Now it's so slow, so slow, slow
She put a little money into travelling
Now it's so slow, so slow
Baby went to Amsterdam
Four, five days for the big canal
Now it's so slow, so slow
And I was heading up north
To a place that I know
Eating well, sleeping well
But still I was way, way out of line
Amsterdam was stuck in my mind
Oh, it's a kind of stupid groove
That you can't ignore
Oh, it's a kind of natural fact
Sometimes you're just left to be alone
Baby went to Amsterdam
She put a little money into traveling
Now it's so slow, so slow
Baby went to Amsterdam
Four, five days for the big canal
Now it's so slow, so slow
And I got to go away
To a place of my own
Working hard, fill my time
From that day on, till I hit the bed
Amsterdam was stuck in my head
Oh, it's a kind of stupid groove
That you can't ignore
Oh, it's a kind of natural fact
Sometimes you're just left to be alone
Baby went to Amsterdam
She put a little money into traveling
Now it's so slow, so slow
Baby went to Amsterdam
Four, five days for the big canal
Now it's so slow, so slow
Baby went to Amsterdam
She put a little money into traveling
Now it's so slow, so slow
Baby went to Amsterdam
Four, five days for the big canal
Now it's so slow, so slow, slow
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It's about missing someone so much it's all you can think about. A pretty simiple song, but a great one nonetheless. I always catch myself humming this. I think I like it better than Young Folks.
This song is about someone you love leaving for better things, for a better life. While this person is gone, all you can think about is them, and how well they're doing without you. So to try to keep your mind off it you try to fill up your days with work as much as you can. To try and ease the sting of loneliness and keep you from going insane. Sad.
so sad, I agree with your interpretation.
i guess i have to be the poster that brings up drugs into this interpretation. for potheads, the association is obvious when you talk about Amsterdam (in general) and time being slow, so slow. that's what marijuana does, everything feels slow.
i'm not sure what the rest of the song might mean, maybe his babe left him for a short trip to amsterdam?
its about that feeling of loneliness you get when someone goes away.
i think this is just about as catchy as "young folks"
okay now im starting to freak out. all this songs of loneliness are creeping me out and its all i want to hear, dissonant, sad, lonely songs, wth?
this is the better song!! the beat is solid depression, but its ok cause its about Amsterdam my fave
great song
I can't beleive this song isn't as, if not more, popular than Young Folks. I
oops stupid html coding messed up my post
i love this song! and ohlyndey is right it's pretty straightforward about missing someone.
Best song on the album, so sad and lonely. Love the singer's quirky accent on the "And I was heading up north" verse.