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.
Early in the morning
The sun was up and the sky was very blue
Without a warning
As I looked out, my thoughts returned to you
A noise in the city made the children run
And hide themselves away
And thunder boomed and lightning filled the sky
Looking from this window
A thousand rivers running past my door
Standing on an island, looking for someone
Upon the shore
I can see it very clearly nothing's really changed
Then lightning strikes across an empty sky
Ooh, the rain is falling
Ooh, the rain is falling
Ooh, the rain is falling
Will it wash away those lonely tears
With their brand new time transporter
They'll think maybe I fought to get away
But with all their great inventions
And all their good intentions, here I stay
Down on the corner where the sun had shone
The people gathered 'round
Then scattered as the raindrops hit the ground
Ooh, the rain is falling
Ooh, the rain is falling
I said, ooh, the rain is falling
Will it wash away those lonely tears
Ooh, the rain is falling
I said, ooh, the rain is falling
Ooh, it keeps on falling, falling
Will it wash away those lonely tears
The sun was up and the sky was very blue
Without a warning
As I looked out, my thoughts returned to you
A noise in the city made the children run
And hide themselves away
And thunder boomed and lightning filled the sky
Looking from this window
A thousand rivers running past my door
Standing on an island, looking for someone
Upon the shore
I can see it very clearly nothing's really changed
Then lightning strikes across an empty sky
Ooh, the rain is falling
Ooh, the rain is falling
Ooh, the rain is falling
Will it wash away those lonely tears
With their brand new time transporter
They'll think maybe I fought to get away
But with all their great inventions
And all their good intentions, here I stay
Down on the corner where the sun had shone
The people gathered 'round
Then scattered as the raindrops hit the ground
Ooh, the rain is falling
Ooh, the rain is falling
I said, ooh, the rain is falling
Will it wash away those lonely tears
Ooh, the rain is falling
I said, ooh, the rain is falling
Ooh, it keeps on falling, falling
Will it wash away those lonely tears
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
Cajun Girl
Little Feat
Little Feat
Overall about difficult moments of disappointment and vulnerability. Having hope and longing, while remaining optimistic for the future. Encourages the belief that with each new morning there is a chance for things to improve.
The chorus offers a glimmer of optimism and a chance at a resolution and redemption in the future.
Captures the rollercoaster of emotions of feeling lost while loving someone who is not there for you, feeling let down and abandoned while waiting for a lover. Lost with no direction, "Now I'm up in the air with the rain in my hair, Nowhere to go, I can go anywhere"
The bridge shows signs of longing and a plea for companionship. The Lyrics express a desire for authentic connection and the importance of Loving someone just as they are. "Just in passing, I'm not asking. That you be anyone but you”
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,
Magical
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
How would you describe the feeling of being in love? For Ed Sheeran, the word is “Magical.” in HIS three-minute album opener, he makes an attempt to capture the beauty and delicacy of true love with words. He describes the magic of it all over a bright Pop song produced by Aaron Dessner.
American Town
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran shares a short story of reconnecting with an old flame on “American Town.” The track is about a holiday Ed Sheeran spends with his countrywoman who resides in America. The two are back together after a long period apart, and get around to enjoying a bunch of fun activities while rekindling the flames of their romance.
This song is one of many connected stories off ELO's album "Time". The character is saddened by the way the late 2000's are and longs desperately for the simple and "good 'ol 1980's".
Jeff Lynne (frontman, Electric Light Orchestra) has been asked multiple times in recorded interviews if the character is a time traveler or simply dreaming... the beautiful part being that Lynne has always responded by saying he asks himself the same thing and should, yet doesn't, know - even after all these years.
Time is considered by many ELO fans to be their greatest work and the retro-futuristic elements like Ticket To The Moon, Twilight & Rain Is Falling define the tone of the album
@NourigatPDX From somebody who bought the record in 1981, the CD in 1989 . Thank you so much. This album is immortal. Listening to it now uninterrupted.