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.
You could never compromise
I could never satisfy you at all
Always thought you had gentle eyes
Then you've had me institutionalized
(Twice before)
Before I was a young man
Now look at me, I'm just younger than old
The years don't seem to touch you
It makes me wonder what you sold
Oh, my Maria
I'll never change you, I know, I know
I need to see you
That never changes, oh no
You lived on the 7th floor
It was far from heaven but it meant more
You said things that were hard to ignore
My conversation makes you bored
You always hated wedding bells
You'd go out riding with the Hell's and say
Life is for the taking
Life is for the taking
Oh, my Maria
I'll never change you, I know, I know
I need to see you
That never changes, oh no
So how's it gonna be, Maria?
Will it be you and me?
Or will it be
Five more years of counting my tears
Five more years of living in fear
I beg for my supper at night
If this is love then it don't feel right
And my heart's burning out of control
They gave her five but she's out on parole
Hey, hey, hey
This girl is leading me astray
Saw a photograph of you today
Your eyes look tired but you haven't aged
And now I see that you made the front page
Married for the money and you blew him away
Oh Maria, when you were doing time
You only had five words on your mind
Life is for the taking
Life is for the taking
Oh, my Maria
I'll never change you, I know, I know
I need to see you
That never changes, oh no
Oh, my Maria
I'll never change you, I know, I know
I need to see you
That never changes, oh no
I beg for my supper at night
If this is love then it don't feel right
And my heart's burning out of control
They gave her five but she's out on parole
Hey, hey, hey
This girl is leading me astray
Listen, what I say
This girl is leading me astray
I could never satisfy you at all
Always thought you had gentle eyes
Then you've had me institutionalized
(Twice before)
Before I was a young man
Now look at me, I'm just younger than old
The years don't seem to touch you
It makes me wonder what you sold
Oh, my Maria
I'll never change you, I know, I know
I need to see you
That never changes, oh no
You lived on the 7th floor
It was far from heaven but it meant more
You said things that were hard to ignore
My conversation makes you bored
You always hated wedding bells
You'd go out riding with the Hell's and say
Life is for the taking
Life is for the taking
Oh, my Maria
I'll never change you, I know, I know
I need to see you
That never changes, oh no
So how's it gonna be, Maria?
Will it be you and me?
Or will it be
Five more years of counting my tears
Five more years of living in fear
I beg for my supper at night
If this is love then it don't feel right
And my heart's burning out of control
They gave her five but she's out on parole
Hey, hey, hey
This girl is leading me astray
Saw a photograph of you today
Your eyes look tired but you haven't aged
And now I see that you made the front page
Married for the money and you blew him away
Oh Maria, when you were doing time
You only had five words on your mind
Life is for the taking
Life is for the taking
Oh, my Maria
I'll never change you, I know, I know
I need to see you
That never changes, oh no
Oh, my Maria
I'll never change you, I know, I know
I need to see you
That never changes, oh no
I beg for my supper at night
If this is love then it don't feel right
And my heart's burning out of control
They gave her five but she's out on parole
Hey, hey, hey
This girl is leading me astray
Listen, what I say
This girl is leading me astray
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Amazing song off of the new album. Would imagine it's about a girl he's been crazy about for some time?. . . knows he'll never be able to change her (from whatever it is that has become a problem at some point), but still can't stand to be without her. . . that's what i'm thinkin. .
The woman in this song (Maria) is a Hell's Angel (You'd go out riding with the Hell's), she's a former drug dealer (It makes me wonder what you sold), and she's tough. The guy tries to change her ways because she's mean to him (I beg for my supper at night), but he loves her. But then she's sent to prison, probably for the drug dealing, and the guy misses her. When she gets out on parole, she marries another guy and murders him for his money (Married for the money and you blew him away), according to her mantra (Life is for the taking). The guy sees her photograph on the front page of the newspaper and knows they won't be together, 'cause she'll be spending life in prison.