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.
Drag myself from my bed
Around 20 past 6
Get my kids up make breakfast
1 egg 2 toast 3 weetabix
And as I sit down I look up
And your standing in the doorway sun at your back
In my old brown dressing gown
Well no one can love you more than I love you now, but I
Gotta go running for the bus
Coat flying and I try not to miss it this time
But the drivers waiting and that's strange
Kids on the top deck quiet for a change
And there's no rain and no roadworks
In the bus lane and all my hurts run away
And I'm smiling as I'm punching in
The day I died was the best day of my life
The day I died was the best day of my life
Tell my friends and my kids and my wife
Everything will be alright
The day I died was the best day of my life
Now the secretaries they got a smile for me
And the in tray on my desks almost empty
I get a memo from executive Joe
Saying Rob the gob is getting kicked out
For embezzling funds from the company account
And id be lying if I said I wasn't chuffed
'Cause I always hated rob
And now they'll probably offer me robs old job
And in the park at lunch
There's no whinos on my favorite bench
None of that drunk chatter none of that pissy stench
And the scrawny little pigeons with the gammy legs
Decide to dive bomb from someone elses sandwich instead
And there's something about the city today
Like all the colors conspire to overwhelm the grey
And this close to the fire I can feel no cold
But a rainbow halo around my soul
The day I died was the best day of my life
The day I died was the best day of my life
Tell my friends and my kids and my wife
Everything will be alright
The day I died was the best day of my life
So I leave work get to the high street and I miss my bus
Should I wait for another no I can't be arsed
I begin to walk
And rush hour crowd seem to part like the red sea
And I'm stopping at the offy
20 cigarettes and a 6 pack to relax me
And as I cross back over the street
I guess I never saw that taxi
I guess I never saw that taxi
The day I died was the best day of my life
The day I died was the best day of my life
Tell my friends and my kids and my wife
Everything will be alright
The day I died was the best day of my life
Now I got 99 red balloons floating in the summer sky
I got 99 red balloons drifting past my dreamy eyes
I got 99 red balloons floating in the summer sky
I got 99 red balloons drifting past my dying eyes
Around 20 past 6
Get my kids up make breakfast
1 egg 2 toast 3 weetabix
And as I sit down I look up
And your standing in the doorway sun at your back
In my old brown dressing gown
Well no one can love you more than I love you now, but I
Gotta go running for the bus
Coat flying and I try not to miss it this time
But the drivers waiting and that's strange
Kids on the top deck quiet for a change
And there's no rain and no roadworks
In the bus lane and all my hurts run away
And I'm smiling as I'm punching in
The day I died was the best day of my life
The day I died was the best day of my life
Tell my friends and my kids and my wife
Everything will be alright
The day I died was the best day of my life
Now the secretaries they got a smile for me
And the in tray on my desks almost empty
I get a memo from executive Joe
Saying Rob the gob is getting kicked out
For embezzling funds from the company account
And id be lying if I said I wasn't chuffed
'Cause I always hated rob
And now they'll probably offer me robs old job
And in the park at lunch
There's no whinos on my favorite bench
None of that drunk chatter none of that pissy stench
And the scrawny little pigeons with the gammy legs
Decide to dive bomb from someone elses sandwich instead
And there's something about the city today
Like all the colors conspire to overwhelm the grey
And this close to the fire I can feel no cold
But a rainbow halo around my soul
The day I died was the best day of my life
The day I died was the best day of my life
Tell my friends and my kids and my wife
Everything will be alright
The day I died was the best day of my life
So I leave work get to the high street and I miss my bus
Should I wait for another no I can't be arsed
I begin to walk
And rush hour crowd seem to part like the red sea
And I'm stopping at the offy
20 cigarettes and a 6 pack to relax me
And as I cross back over the street
I guess I never saw that taxi
I guess I never saw that taxi
The day I died was the best day of my life
The day I died was the best day of my life
Tell my friends and my kids and my wife
Everything will be alright
The day I died was the best day of my life
Now I got 99 red balloons floating in the summer sky
I got 99 red balloons drifting past my dreamy eyes
I got 99 red balloons floating in the summer sky
I got 99 red balloons drifting past my dying eyes
Lyrics submitted by chrischaos
The Day I Died Lyrics as written by Jules Porreca Jack Christopher Allsopp
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
More Featured Meanings
Standing On The Edge Of Summer
Thursday
Thursday
Son Şansın - Şarkı Sözleri
Hayalperest
Hayalperest
This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere.
In general, it highlights the danger of hidden agendas, manipulation, and distraction, serving as a critique of those who exploit chaos and confusion to control and gain power, depicting a cautionary tale against falling into their traps. It encourages us to question the narratives presented to us and remain vigilant against manipulation in various parts of society.
Cajun Girl
Little Feat
Little Feat
Overall about difficult moments of disappointment and vulnerability. Having hope and longing, while remaining optimistic for the future. Encourages the belief that with each new morning there is a chance for things to improve.
The chorus offers a glimmer of optimism and a chance at a resolution and redemption in the future.
Captures the rollercoaster of emotions of feeling lost while loving someone who is not there for you, feeling let down and abandoned while waiting for a lover. Lost with no direction, "Now I'm up in the air with the rain in my hair, Nowhere to go, I can go anywhere"
The bridge shows signs of longing and a plea for companionship. The Lyrics express a desire for authentic connection and the importance of Loving someone just as they are. "Just in passing, I'm not asking. That you be anyone but you”
Gentle Hour
Yo La Tengo
Yo La Tengo
This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
No Surprises
Radiohead
Radiohead
Same ideas expressed in Fitter, Happier are expressed in this song. We're told to strive for some sort of ideal life, which includes getting a good job, being kind to everyone, finding a partner, getting married, having a couple kids, living in a quiet neighborhood in a nice big house, etc. But in Fitter, Happier the narrator(?) realizes that it's incredibly robotic to live this life. People are being used by those in power "like a pig in a cage on antibiotics"--being pacified with things like new phones and cool gadgets and houses while being sucked dry. On No Surprises, the narrator is realizing how this life is killing him slowly. In the video, his helmet is slowly filling up with water, drowning him. But he's so complacent with it. This is a good summary of the song. This boring, "perfect" life foisted upon us by some higher powers (not spiritual, but political, economic, etc. politicians and businessmen, perhaps) is not the way to live. But there is seemingly no way out but death. He'd rather die peacefully right now than live in this cage. While our lives are often shielded, we're in our own protective bubbles, or protective helmets like the one Thom wears, if we look a little harder we can see all the corruption, lies, manipulation, etc. that is going on in the world, often run by huge yet nearly invisible organizations, corporations, and 'leaders'. It's a very hopeless song because it reflects real life.
I thing this is about how you have to make the most of what you've got and the best day of your life could be your last... I LOVE IT!! :D