Oh No!

I actually got to have a beer with the guys in.. 2006? In Atlanta.

I specifically asked Ian about this one, because I had such a connection, but couldn't quite place it. He said it's about religion. (makes sense now doesn't it!)

Jim is one of his friends fathers, a bit of a holly roller.

"keep being careful" - don't even suggest your wondering about the subject. Just have faith because society tells you to and live in fear.

"one eye on the banquet table, the other on the door" - he said this was brought from the vision of, the last supper, or something similar. Being in the complete presence of the holy, yet feeling uncomfortable and just wanting to get out of there. The next lines express this; he's just not paying attention/uncomfortable in the situation, yet he's so close to it there's sawdust (carpenter..) in his shoes. But he's still not sure.

Isn't the glass eye pretty maybe? i have no idea what he says.

I've had one hell of a time trying to analyze this one. It seems to be written about something very specific that is never mentioned. I'm contemplating asking Ian about it if I ever talk to him again.

I think its about being in a situation, and thinking things through. Kind of like, not sure where you are supposed to turn, or who to ask. You're just stuck in between your rock and a hard place.

I'm not totally sure, but maybe racism has something to do w/ it? He mentions a noose and a guy named Jim, like maybe w/ Jim Crow Laws? Not sure, tho.

I don't know. I think, seeing as he mentions talking it over with mother, jim, and the police, that it's a very serious matter.

He says, I haven't had a day alone since I met you.

I think it could be about him being in a relationship with someone who won't leave him alone. To the point where he might want a restraining order. Considering he talked to the police.

Or a stalker, since they're advising him to be careful. And he says he's awaiting a false move. It seems like that to me, anyway.

When I hear this song think about a young man's fall into addiction. the beginning is how he is considering trying it as his friends are preparing the rig or whatever. then the one that is already addicted is thinking "this guys has no idea what he's getting into" then "Haven''t had a day alone..." is like he has to use everyday. then the part about "I'm lying if I'm talking.." is the drug deceiving the addict. then the part of the banquet table is like part of the addict wants to go straight for the drug and part of him wants to walk away. then I am perplexed about this part: "The metal wheel is spinning I take a sip from a tube In the glass I {look} pretty Sawdust in my shoes" the tube reminds me of a syringe?

I know it's annoying when everyone wants to make every song about drugs but that's just what I feel when I hear the song. Great song!

Definitely seems like a stalker to me.

i'm totally stuck on this song, so i decided to look up the lyrics. i'm definitely confused, but the first thought i had about meaning was a guy who no longer wants to get married but doesn't want to admit it to his soon-to-be. the noose metaphor, banquet table reference, and looking pretty in the glass all make me think of marriage and weddings. talking it over with jim and mom make sense, but i'm not sure why you'd talk this over with the cops. puzzled by the metal wheel and sip from the tube... anyway, just some thoughts.

reading it over, it seems like a guy is miserable in his relationship with his wife/gf/whatever and he cheats on her with another woman, and his partner kills the other woman out of jealousy. i feel pretty morbid for coming up with that conclusion, but it fits the lyrics in many of the parts.

for example: "And it's one eye on the banquet table, The other on the door. And everyone's got reasons, But I don't have the same ones, And it's true Oh, no!" like he's in an argument with her, and all he does is stare at the table to avoid her eyes and towards the door and imagine his life not being so miserable. and everyone has their reasons why they cheat, and he's simply unhappy.

or: "I'm lying if I'm talking. It's what I don't tell you. You wouldn't like the truth. You wouldn't like it" saying he's lying about everything in general, telling his partner he's satisfied, because he's not, and she would get angry if he said so.

there are some other bits too that could make sense, whatevs.