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.
Why would I carry such a weight on my shoulders?
Why do I always help you carry your boulders?
You wonder why I carry such a weight on my shoulders
And why would I, such a load?
But someday you'll see, next time I'll try it another way
Why would you try to make me friends with them soldiers?
When you know that I've never been familiar with orders
When you know that my heart is in a pretty disorder
And you should know that in my heart you fill every corner
And someday you'll see that all I want is to please
Oh, next time I'll try it another way
How long will I sit and wait like a soldier?
How many summers will it take?
How many summers will I wait?
How many shoulders will I break?
Why would I carry such a weight on my shoulders?
Why am I always by your side when you're down?
Why did I help you build a beautiful house?
And why did I break my back for you in the cold?
And someday you'll see, next time I'll try it another way
Why would I have to quit if time makes me older?
Why do they wonder why I never get bored?
And how could I tell them that I'll never let go
But hey, you're my man but they just won't understand
Someday you'll see that all I want is to please, oh
Next time I'll try it another way
How long will I sit and wait like a soldier?
How many summers will it take?
How many summers will I wait?
How many shoulders will I break?
Why would I carry such a weight on my shoulders?
Why do I always help to carry your boulders?
You wonder why I carry such a weight on my shoulders
And why would I, such a load?
'Cause someday you'll see, all I want is to please, oh
Next time I'll try it another way
How long will I sit and wait like a soldier?
How many summers will it take?
How many summers will I wait?
How many summers will I wait?
Why do I always help you carry your boulders?
You wonder why I carry such a weight on my shoulders
And why would I, such a load?
But someday you'll see, next time I'll try it another way
Why would you try to make me friends with them soldiers?
When you know that I've never been familiar with orders
When you know that my heart is in a pretty disorder
And you should know that in my heart you fill every corner
And someday you'll see that all I want is to please
Oh, next time I'll try it another way
How long will I sit and wait like a soldier?
How many summers will it take?
How many summers will I wait?
How many shoulders will I break?
Why would I carry such a weight on my shoulders?
Why am I always by your side when you're down?
Why did I help you build a beautiful house?
And why did I break my back for you in the cold?
And someday you'll see, next time I'll try it another way
Why would I have to quit if time makes me older?
Why do they wonder why I never get bored?
And how could I tell them that I'll never let go
But hey, you're my man but they just won't understand
Someday you'll see that all I want is to please, oh
Next time I'll try it another way
How long will I sit and wait like a soldier?
How many summers will it take?
How many summers will I wait?
How many shoulders will I break?
Why would I carry such a weight on my shoulders?
Why do I always help to carry your boulders?
You wonder why I carry such a weight on my shoulders
And why would I, such a load?
'Cause someday you'll see, all I want is to please, oh
Next time I'll try it another way
How long will I sit and wait like a soldier?
How many summers will it take?
How many summers will I wait?
How many summers will I wait?
Lyrics submitted by hospitalization
On My Shoulders Lyrics as written by Dan Levy Olivia B. Merilahti
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
More Featured Meanings
Standing On The Edge Of Summer
Thursday
Thursday
Holiday
Bee Gees
Bee Gees
@[Diderik:33655] "Your a holiday!" Was a popular term used in the 50s/60s to compliment someone on their all around. For example, not only are they beautiful, but they are fun and kind too ... just an all around "holiday".
I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
Mountain Song
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction vocalist Perry Farrell gives Adam Reader some heartfelt insight into Jane’s Addiction's hard rock manifesto "Mountain Song", which was the second single from their revolutionary album Nothing's Shocking. Mountain song was first recorded in 1986 and appeared on the soundtrack to the film Dudes starring Jon Cryer. The version on Nothing's Shocking was re-recorded in 1988.
"'Mountain Song' was actually about... I hate to say it but... drugs. Climbing this mountain and getting as high as you can, and then coming down that mountain," reveals Farrell. "What it feels to descend from the mountain top... not easy at all. The ascension is tough but exhilarating. Getting down is... it's a real bummer. Drugs is not for everybody obviously. For me, I wanted to experience the heights, and the lows come along with it."
"There's a part - 'Cash in now honey, cash in Miss Smith.' Miss Smith is my Mother; our last name was Smith. Cashing in when she cashed in her life. So... she decided that, to her... at that time, she was desperate. Life wasn't worth it for her, that was her opinion. Some people think, never take your life, and some people find that their life isn't worth living. She was in love with my Dad, and my Dad was not faithful to her, and it broke her heart. She was very desperate and she did something that I know she regrets."
Gentle Hour
Yo La Tengo
Yo La Tengo
This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
Plastic Bag
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Plastic Bag” is a song about searching for an escape from personal problems and hoping to find it in the lively atmosphere of a Saturday night party. Ed Sheeran tells the story of his friend and the myriad of troubles he is going through. Unable to find any solutions, this friend seeks a last resort in a party and the vanity that comes with it.
“I overthink and have trouble sleepin’ / All purpose gone and don’t have a reason / And there’s no doctor to stop this bleedin’ / So I left home and jumped in the deep end,” Ed Sheeran sings in verse one. He continues by adding that this person is feeling the weight of having disappointed his father and doesn’t have any friends to rely on in this difficult moment. In the second verse, Ed sings about the role of grief in his friend’s plight and his dwindling faith in prayer. “Saturday night is givin’ me a reason to rely on the strobe lights / The lifeline of a promise in a shot glass, and I’ll take that / If you’re givin’ out love from a plastic bag,” Ed sings on the chorus, as his friend turns to new vices in hopes of feeling better.
I think it ends with "How long will I sit and wait like a soldier How many summers will I wait"
This seems to be about sacrifices people make or are expected to make in life. Whether it's for a family member, a friend, a lover, a corporation or one's country, the sacrifice does not seem to be reciprocated or appreciated.