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've been bashed and battered
And bruised and beaten
I've been abused, misused, and I've been mistreated
I've been up and down, and still I feel
You're an asshole
And I've looked at it from your side
And I've looked at it from mine
And I know you had a hard time when you were only nine
But that was long ago, and now there's just no denyin'
That you're an asshole
You're an asshole
You're an asshole
Yeah, yeah
Yeah, yeah
You're an asshole
Na na na na na
Na na na na na
Na na na na na na
Na na na na na
Na na na
Na na na na na
You're an asshole
Yeah, you're an asshole
You're an asshole
Yeah, yeah
Yeah, yeah
You're an asshole
And now I know there are those people
Who claim they never are to blame
And that's not my modus operandi; I don't play that game
Then there are the people
Who claim the sun shines out their behinds
And it's oh-so-hard to get 'em to change their minds
And I've given up tryin'
It's a valuable muscle
Near the base of the spine
And I know I'd be sorry if I ever lost mine
But it stinks
When you're always full of shit all the time
'Cause you're an asshole
(You know what?)
You're an asshole
You're an asshole
Yeah, yeah
Yeah, yeah
Yeah, yeah
Yeah, yeah
Yeah, yeah
Yeah, yeah
You're an asshole
And bruised and beaten
I've been abused, misused, and I've been mistreated
I've been up and down, and still I feel
You're an asshole
And I've looked at it from your side
And I've looked at it from mine
And I know you had a hard time when you were only nine
But that was long ago, and now there's just no denyin'
That you're an asshole
You're an asshole
You're an asshole
Yeah, yeah
Yeah, yeah
You're an asshole
Na na na na na
Na na na na na
Na na na na na na
Na na na na na
Na na na
Na na na na na
You're an asshole
Yeah, you're an asshole
You're an asshole
Yeah, yeah
Yeah, yeah
You're an asshole
And now I know there are those people
Who claim they never are to blame
And that's not my modus operandi; I don't play that game
Then there are the people
Who claim the sun shines out their behinds
And it's oh-so-hard to get 'em to change their minds
And I've given up tryin'
It's a valuable muscle
Near the base of the spine
And I know I'd be sorry if I ever lost mine
But it stinks
When you're always full of shit all the time
'Cause you're an asshole
(You know what?)
You're an asshole
You're an asshole
Yeah, yeah
Yeah, yeah
Yeah, yeah
Yeah, yeah
Yeah, yeah
Yeah, yeah
You're an asshole
Lyrics submitted by Eamon
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