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.
we had fun in the sun
but now you've thrown it away
tossing out the baby with the bathtub
these dogs have strayed
you'll never know how hard I tried
to keep my worries in line
but they're all bastards
gone are the good old days
of painting young courtney pine
listened to the taunts and the shouts
of celebration wine
i never could make it work out right
her milk glows in the blacklight
but it don't matter
because no one comes out to see us
well my pain's in a rutt
I've been lonely enough
I've bled los angeles blood
I've had enough of this stuff
you can't go on with what you're doing
because they already know
you run your life into ruin
there's so much to show
you'll never know how hard I tried
her milk glows in the blacklight
but it don't matter
because no one comes out to see us
well my pain's in a rutt
I've been lonely enough
I've bled los angeles blood
I've had enough of this stuff
no one comes out to see us
but now you've thrown it away
tossing out the baby with the bathtub
these dogs have strayed
you'll never know how hard I tried
to keep my worries in line
but they're all bastards
gone are the good old days
of painting young courtney pine
listened to the taunts and the shouts
of celebration wine
i never could make it work out right
her milk glows in the blacklight
but it don't matter
because no one comes out to see us
well my pain's in a rutt
I've been lonely enough
I've bled los angeles blood
I've had enough of this stuff
you can't go on with what you're doing
because they already know
you run your life into ruin
there's so much to show
you'll never know how hard I tried
her milk glows in the blacklight
but it don't matter
because no one comes out to see us
well my pain's in a rutt
I've been lonely enough
I've bled los angeles blood
I've had enough of this stuff
no one comes out to see us
Lyrics submitted by littlemass
Chicago X 12 Lyrics as written by Zachary David Schwartz
Lyrics © ROUGH TRADE PUBLISHING, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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I think the first to times in the chorus he's saying "because no one comes out to see her". He only says "us" on the last refrain.
I saw them do this song in concert, and Zack Rogue noted that the song was about how lonley touring can be sometimes. I don't get that from the lyrics, but that's what he said.
I don't really agree with the idea that this song is about his mother leaving him. First off, if he was to say they're all bastards, a bastard is someone that does not have a father. Also, the line is not tossing the baby out, it is tossing out the baby with the bath tub, which is referring to the idiom don't toss the baby out with the bath water. The caution behind the idiom is not to lose something good while getting rid of the bad. I have to agree with the common consensus that the song is about touring. Also, to the line about painting young courtney pine, courtney pine is referring to the wood, not the jazz musician.
I saw them perform this song on the Interface. The last two lines before the absolutely amazing outro are as follows:
All the same light keeps burning off of everyone All the same lies keep pouting out of everyone
great song... sounds like an ending of a relationship but very confusing lyrics... any ideas?
Sounds like it's about coping with pain and lonliness.
PS Great song.
Its about being on the road alone with the same people night after night. He misses a loved one at home and is frustrated with the success of the band. NO ONE COMES OUT TO SEE US......its a beautiful song
the more listened to, the more attached you get to this song. in my opinion, it is the best song on "asleep at heaven's gate" (even better than lake michigan) though it longitivity drags it down a bit. i can see how this has to do with touring. whining about not being paid attention to and their unpopularity "no one comes out to see us" (which dissapoints me because it seems like rogue wave is underrated [only 6 comments on a song like this!]) note i also think he says "no one comes out to see her" probably means it this way: he only sings about his girl so she is represented by his songs. no one listens to them so he feels like being away from her (or his home) is a waste. sometimes he wants to quit but he cant cuz he makes such refreshing music such as this song.
I love this song even though it is for the most part nonsensicle. The lyrics I imagined made more sense. It does evoke a sense of longing or loneliness especially if you don't quite hear what is being said.
Painting young Courtney Pine? What is that about. Courtney Pine is a Jazz musician.
i am sorry but i have to comment again. now i really think this song is about his mother. probably about her leaving their family? dont know if his parents are seperated but he does say so in "postage stamp world" - ("mom walked out") anyway i remember my 11th grade teacher saying that the author of Black Boy refrenced a nightmare of milk to represent fear of his mother. maybe zach does that here. as well as other refrences "tossing the baby out"..."theyre all bastards"...somehow i get the feeling this song is about yearning a normal family. a bit melancholy but doent it make you want to just drive somewhere far away?