That's Okay

I never really thought it was about suicide, or even leaving.

I think the song is full of a lot of regret and sadness, and that the character in the song has been rejected from their family, but also the person they love. I think maybe the person they love will say that they love them but doesn't really mean it

(Until someone loves you I'll keep you safe But, like them, I will give you away)

But I don't think the song's subject want to leave or commit suicide. I think that even if it breaks their heart to know that no one will ever really love them, they will continue to stay by the side of the person they love, because as long as they can be near to them, maybe that's all they need.

I can't really back up why I think this, but it's just how I hear the song... n.n''

this is one of my favorite songs from goodbye blues so far. but i have a correction- instead of "And when you're gone Well, they say your name And when you're gone Well, they love you the same If not, that's okay"

it's "And when you're gone Will they say your name? And when you're gone Will they love you the same? If not, that's okay".

small word change, but it really does change the whole mood of the song.

I personally thought it seemed a lot like abuse. And the abuse has made someone run away and he still cares for his family, but their abuse is just too much.

The first thing I thought of when I heard this was a foster child going from foster family to foster family. Their family died in a fire(?) and no one wants to adopt them.

Does anyone else think that this song is about Chris leaving the band? Also, why the album is called "goodbye blues" maybe? I mean, the guys probably knew of this possibility (or maybe even definite fact) way before it was actually announced to us fans? The album in general, kinda sounds like a little silent regret and goodbye to him (Chris). But if not, then it's ironic timing, huh? Maybe we do set up life ourselves even by things we say or do..?

Sounds like an orphan to me...but that's all I can figure out...I just don't get this song. It's beautiful, but I can't figure out what I think it means at all... :\

I think this song is about a foster child turning 18 and leaving the system. They have no family, eg "your childhood home is just powder white bones, and you'll never find your way back." To me it sounds as if the foster kid has lived with a certain family for a bit, and has built a relationship with them, but is worried about how things will change once they leave, "will they love love you the same?". All the other lyrics seem to support my theory, it's all about family and nostalgia. As a foster kid myself in the situation outlined above, I've always felt I could identify with this song.

This is just a beautiful and damn sad song. I'm listening to it right now. It makes me think of this girl I know. I loved her and she loved me once upon another time, since then things have grown and changed as things inexorably do. But if somebody really loved her, they'd tell her by now. I've said it, sure, I mean it most of the time. But even I have to turn away sometimes. I know she felt safe at home, that's when we were in love. As kids. Her brother's laughter paints the air of California now, and her mother's face is getting older and sadder. No one can find their way back to their childhood home. It's sad, but must be so. It's okay. You know they'll always say your name once in awhile, and they'll think it even more. You know it's okay.

The next verse is my favorite. I feel like I played a big part in making her so cautious and callow... But ever boundlessly beautiful is she. Until someone loves you, I'll keep you safe, but like them, I will give you away. I'll be there till someone else comes along, then I'll go... I guess it all boils down to that quotable phrase, if you love something, you give it away... (thankyouconor)

The song's over now. It's one of those songs you wish just didn't end. Bell Bottom Blues is another one of those songs. As is Little Wing, and What I Got. But dammit I love this song and it makes me feel things I can't even express to you people out there in cyber space and time. Feelings are ineffable, I don't care what anybody says. It makes me think that the true meaning of a song is secondary to the unique meaning that each individual person gathers from the combined phrases, rhythms, tones and timbres. Every song touches the soul before it touches the mind. Sound is the wave before meaning. The wave that crashes as just as a shhhhhhhhh... You listen before you think. This song is so easy to feel. Gretchen's voice just takes a hold of me.

I love this song and that girl though.

here is my take on it

You were a child Who was made of glass You carried a black heart Passed down from your dad If somebody loved you They'd tell you by now We all turn away when you're down

You were a very fragile child And you were cold and dark just like your dad If somebody loved you, they would have told you by now, but instead, when you need them most they leave you

You want to go back To where you felt safe To hear your brother's laughter See your mother's face Your childhood home Is just powder-white bones And you'll never find your way back

You wish you could go back to the simpler easier days of childhood but this time has disintegrated and there is no way to ever get it back

And when you're gone Will they say your name? And when you're gone Will they love you the same? If not, that's okay If not, that's okay

And once you die will they still talk about and remember you? Will they love you? If not, thats okay because acceptance isnt the most important thing in life

You are broken and callow Cautious and safe You are boundless in beauty With fright in your face Until someone loves you I'll keep you safe But, like them, I will give you away

You are troubled and weak obviously, cautious and safe you are beautiful but i can see you are frightened. Until you are loved i will take you in but at some point im sure i will leave you too

.....

This song to me is about a man who grew up and was always wishing to go back to his childhood, and now is so depressed that he is near suicidal. wonderful song

I always thought this was about someone who grew up with their mother and brother and their dad left them, which made the person slightly bitter and now that person questions whether anyone actually loves him or not. They want to go back when their father was still around and the family was well and happy but he knows that's impossible. The remainder of his family always tells him that they love him, but when he moves out he wonders if that's actually true or if they were just acting so that he wouldn't see the truth.

Either that or: It's "music" talking to someone who grew up in a bad condition. Hence "Until someone loves you I'll keep you safe But, like them, I will give you away" because you can listen to music to make yourself feel better temporarily but it won't actually solve any problems.