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.
Now, I can't behave
I feel it in my feet on the streets
But don't you know?
There's something I can feel when I breathe
I told you once
You're breaking into separate parts
But don't you know?
It's something that I can't live without
And if somebody's going to make it
Then this somebody ought to be you
And I keep telling my reflection
Ambitions are already starting to fade
I can't tolerate
The feelings that I feel when I feel
But don't you know?
Some feelings never seem to let go
Like a silver blade
I cut my way out of control
But don't you know?
Some blades will cut you right to the bone
And if somebody's going to make it
Then this somebody ought to be you
And if somebody's going to fake it
Then this somebody, somebody is you
If it's me that was going to take it
Then I know that it wouldn't be straight
And I keep telling my reflection
Ambitions are already starting to fade
I Can't tolerate (can't tolerate)
I Can't tolerate (can't tolerate)
And if somebody's going to make it
Then this somebody ought to be you
And if somebody's going to fake it
Then this somebody, somebody is you
If it's me that was going to take it
Then I know that it wouldn't be straight
And I keep telling my reflection
Ambitions are already starting to fade
And I keep telling my reflection
Ambitions are already starting to fade
I feel it in my feet on the streets
But don't you know?
There's something I can feel when I breathe
I told you once
You're breaking into separate parts
But don't you know?
It's something that I can't live without
And if somebody's going to make it
Then this somebody ought to be you
And I keep telling my reflection
Ambitions are already starting to fade
I can't tolerate
The feelings that I feel when I feel
But don't you know?
Some feelings never seem to let go
Like a silver blade
I cut my way out of control
But don't you know?
Some blades will cut you right to the bone
And if somebody's going to make it
Then this somebody ought to be you
And if somebody's going to fake it
Then this somebody, somebody is you
If it's me that was going to take it
Then I know that it wouldn't be straight
And I keep telling my reflection
Ambitions are already starting to fade
I Can't tolerate (can't tolerate)
I Can't tolerate (can't tolerate)
And if somebody's going to make it
Then this somebody ought to be you
And if somebody's going to fake it
Then this somebody, somebody is you
If it's me that was going to take it
Then I know that it wouldn't be straight
And I keep telling my reflection
Ambitions are already starting to fade
And I keep telling my reflection
Ambitions are already starting to fade
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This was the perfect song for "13 Reasons Why"
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Yo La Tengo
Yo La Tengo
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Great version of a great song,
No One has commented?? Really? I LOVE THIS SONG. I think it's about having ambitions (durrr) Maybe the singer had ambitions that they didn't live up to So they're telling their friend that they should live up to their pontetial because the singer didn't when they had the chance? Like in the line "If somebody's going to make it, then somebody ought to be you" Like the friend deserves it more or something? Anywayzies my FAV LINE IS: "But don't you know?, Some blades will cut you right to the bone" , It's chilling!!
It's about people having no ambitions, if you watch the music video
also its a catchy song but the line 'The feelings that I feel when I feel' truly sucks
My perception of this song differs from the first comments here. Probably because of my work; psychiatry (since 2005). For my inner view I see this beautiful girl. Slendre, almost boylike body, dark eyes (in more then the literate meaning!) and always in long sleeves. Because of the scars. I sew some of the cuttings myself. And though she used barberblades instead of a silver one when she lost control, I disagree with you Jaybeard! It´s a very precise and good description of the main problem for this fastest growing group of psychiatric patients. They truly don´t tolerate their own feelings.<br /> <br /> I´m by the way norwegian and proud of this new group. Check out the other lyrics on the CD, I´ve found no weak spot. And check out this cover version by Soup, the reason I became aware of Donkeyboy´s high level of lyrics: youtube.com/watch<br /> To me it was a knife along my backbone and a fist to my stomac!<br /> <br /> Very nice site this:)<br /> <br /> VannStein <br /> <br /> (or WaterStone to yeah english speaking fellows:)
I think this song is about love. Love that is going to end soon.
To me this song is about someone giving up their hopes and dreams, someone who let him/herself fade away, keeping quiet among others, keeping away from others, making themselves lonely ,holding his/hers ambitions hidden from themselves and the outside world. The part when they sing "I cut my way out of control" etc sound a little bit like having a selfdestructive behavior. You cut to get away from it all, to punish yourself for being such a loser, but it never helps. It just makes it all worse; "some blades will cut you right to the bone". But mainly it must be about looking down at yourself. The more you do it the worse you'll feel about yourself. After a while you'll have been hating yourself for so long it will have reached so deep you'll be wounded forever. This song is about finding your way out of your misery. Very lovely!
Could be about cutting away the illusion of feeling and finding that the first thing that goes is ambition.
This song is about being an aging actress in hollywood.
To me, this song is about someone who is giving up their own ambitions for the sake of someone else who is competing for the same thing. I interpret the lyrics as the story of someone who wants something really badly, and all of their ambitions drive them towards that goal, but they are competing with someone they love or care about for the same goal. So despite the conflicting feelings, they tell themselves that their own personal ambitions aren't as important - that instead the other person, the 'you' in the song, deserves the final prize.
The singer justifies this feeling with the line, "If it's me that was going to take it/then I know that it wouldn't be straight" implying that it would be wrong to follow their ambitions. But at the end of the song and in the verse, "I can't tolerate" is repeated suggesting the singer isn't entirely convinced they've made the right choice - sacrificing their ambitions for the 'you' of the song.
Not a very happy interpretation I guess! Seems even worse than the idea that it's just about someone who has already lost their hopes and dreams and is now trying to encourage someone else.
I love this song. I fink its about the singer havin ambitions and feeling they cud reach for the sky but the singer's partner feels otherwise and its bringing the singer down but "its sumthing that he cant live without"; as the singer's trying to save their relationship but their hopes and dreams -- ambitions -- are fading as nothings changing.
First wen he's saying "I cant tolerate" he means the singer cant contain how that feeling of almost invincibility: "I cant tolerate the feelings that i feel when i feel"
Like a simple blade I cut my way out of control"
But towards the end of the verses the singer shows frustration n disappointment towards the situation:
"Some feelings never seem to let go"
"Some blades will cut you right to the bone"
But towards the end, the last time he/she says "I cant tolerate" i fink its realisation to the difference of where he is as to where he/she wants to be :)
JOE MCELDERRY MURDERED THIS SONG!!!
the singer is having a conflict with himself, as when you have an aim you keep trying to reach it while part of you brings you down and tries to disappoint you with doubt, and negative thinking, but the real ambition won't let you give up!