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.
The static comes in slow
You can feel it grow
Our stream of conscience flows
Under the streets below
The rivers made of sound
Still running underground
Runs like a silent flood
We run as thick as blood
Can you hear it rise
Up from the ground?
Can't drown it out
Can you hear it now?
This is the sound
Of a heartbeat
This is the sound
From the discontented mouths
Of a haunted nation
We are the voice of breaking down
Can you hear me?
This is the sound
Of the desperation bound
By our own collision
We are the voice of breaking down
The static comes alive
Beneath the broken skies
John Perkins said it right
Love is the final fight
Let it rise above
Rise above
There is no song
Louder than love
You can feel it grow
Our stream of conscience flows
Under the streets below
The rivers made of sound
Still running underground
Runs like a silent flood
We run as thick as blood
Can you hear it rise
Up from the ground?
Can't drown it out
Can you hear it now?
This is the sound
Of a heartbeat
This is the sound
From the discontented mouths
Of a haunted nation
We are the voice of breaking down
Can you hear me?
This is the sound
Of the desperation bound
By our own collision
We are the voice of breaking down
The static comes alive
Beneath the broken skies
John Perkins said it right
Love is the final fight
Let it rise above
Rise above
There is no song
Louder than love
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I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
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Great version of a great song,
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YES! Such an awesome song. My fave from the album I think the line "This is the sound, from the discontented mouths" sums the feel of the perfectly. This song is about determination to be heard, a sound nobody should ignore. Sadly, top dogs around teh world ignore it. Jon's explanation was riveting and thanks for posting it but, cheeseninja, lets hear your opinion