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.
Degrade me, my purpose
Bury me beneath the surface
I'm scratching, I'm clawing
Trying hard to make them pay
Can't stand me, beside me
Kid you not, your kiss sure killed me
The cold of my barrel
Never sees the light of day
Call me, call me, you could only hurt the story
Call me, call me, I'll be there to shine a light
The smell on the speakers
Sweaty ballroom dancing fever
They gather in numbers
Ever for a closer view
The cease fire the weaker
Hair so red I couldn't keep her
The dogs hound the neighbors
Everything was blown away
Call me, call me, you could only hurt the story
Call me, call me, I'll be there to shine a light
Machine, machines, point me to the nearest party
You'll see, you'll see, baby it's the only way
Call me, call me, you could only
Call me, call me, I'll be there
Machines, machines, point me to the nearest party
Bury me beneath the surface
I'm scratching, I'm clawing
Trying hard to make them pay
Can't stand me, beside me
Kid you not, your kiss sure killed me
The cold of my barrel
Never sees the light of day
Call me, call me, you could only hurt the story
Call me, call me, I'll be there to shine a light
The smell on the speakers
Sweaty ballroom dancing fever
They gather in numbers
Ever for a closer view
The cease fire the weaker
Hair so red I couldn't keep her
The dogs hound the neighbors
Everything was blown away
Call me, call me, you could only hurt the story
Call me, call me, I'll be there to shine a light
Machine, machines, point me to the nearest party
You'll see, you'll see, baby it's the only way
Call me, call me, you could only
Call me, call me, I'll be there
Machines, machines, point me to the nearest party
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This is the B-side to "Sex on Fire". I did this by ear so if you think there's any mistakes let me know...
I hear -- "degrade me, my purpose"
"kid you not, you kids, you kill me"
"the sea spy" -- "the cease fire"??
"the dogs hound the neighbours"
but not too sure.. I could just as easily be wrong!
And great song too
Hey thanks scarecrow. Still not sure on the first two though?
For Beneath the Surface and Frontier City:
demonoid.com/files/download/HTTP/1629607/5426554
Oh my gosh, I really can't see why they didn't put this on the album! I think 17 is a good song too, but that sounds more like a b side to me. Argh, can't get over how good this tune is, its AMAZING! Teh Kings are amazingg tbh! xXx
I hear:
"Degrade me, my purpose" "Kid you not, your kiss sure killed me" "The swell of the speakers"
It's hard to tell though.
WHY IS THIS NOT ON THE ALBUM!?
...TheKabellena- your right! 17 should have been a b-side!
God damm it! I love it!
This should be on the album!! It's amazing!!!
It the cold of my burrow
and its elbow for a closer
Yeah, I definitely hear it as "swell of the speakers" and I agree with shv91 about "cold of my burrow" and "elbow for a closer view."
Anyway, I'm not too sure about the meaning. Not to read too much into it, it could be about how KOL feels like they need to keep up with their listeners, who are "machines" and always partying and moving on to other up-and-coming bands. And it's almost degrading to their purpose -which is making music- because even if they feel a passion for their songs, it won't matter if they've been written off by the people who listened to them (I guess that'd be more for the general public, not people who really follow the band). Eh, just a thought.