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.
When I was a young, young man
Back in the twentieth century
Well, you made your own amusements then
Flying to the moon
The benefit of hindsight
Is always black and white
And there always were contrasting ways
To get you through the night
From bright morning star to morning sun
But they are so far away
That I won't even ask them to stay
I've been looking for a way to be true
A way out of the blue
Calling but I can't get through
To explain myself to you
The constant repetition
Of details from the past
The painful human anguish
Of why can't true love last?
Whilst living in the wreckage
Of all we have done
But you are so far away
That I won't even ask you to stay
The day the Berlin wall came down
And other days forgotten
Nostalgia isn't what it was
Farewell then Johnny Rotten, Brian Jones
And Jackson Pollock, Chairman Mao
See you later Allen Ginsberg
You changed the world somehow
And the times when we weren't crying
Have been fun
But they are so far away
That I won't even ask them to stay
No way, I won't even ask them to stay
Back in the twentieth century
Well, you made your own amusements then
Flying to the moon
The benefit of hindsight
Is always black and white
And there always were contrasting ways
To get you through the night
From bright morning star to morning sun
But they are so far away
That I won't even ask them to stay
I've been looking for a way to be true
A way out of the blue
Calling but I can't get through
To explain myself to you
The constant repetition
Of details from the past
The painful human anguish
Of why can't true love last?
Whilst living in the wreckage
Of all we have done
But you are so far away
That I won't even ask you to stay
The day the Berlin wall came down
And other days forgotten
Nostalgia isn't what it was
Farewell then Johnny Rotten, Brian Jones
And Jackson Pollock, Chairman Mao
See you later Allen Ginsberg
You changed the world somehow
And the times when we weren't crying
Have been fun
But they are so far away
That I won't even ask them to stay
No way, I won't even ask them to stay
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
Bron-Y-Aur Stomp
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
This is about bronies. They communicate by stomping.
Mountain Song
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction vocalist Perry Farrell gives Adam Reader some heartfelt insight into Jane’s Addiction's hard rock manifesto "Mountain Song", which was the second single from their revolutionary album Nothing's Shocking. Mountain song was first recorded in 1986 and appeared on the soundtrack to the film Dudes starring Jon Cryer. The version on Nothing's Shocking was re-recorded in 1988.
"'Mountain Song' was actually about... I hate to say it but... drugs. Climbing this mountain and getting as high as you can, and then coming down that mountain," reveals Farrell. "What it feels to descend from the mountain top... not easy at all. The ascension is tough but exhilarating. Getting down is... it's a real bummer. Drugs is not for everybody obviously. For me, I wanted to experience the heights, and the lows come along with it."
"There's a part - 'Cash in now honey, cash in Miss Smith.' Miss Smith is my Mother; our last name was Smith. Cashing in when she cashed in her life. So... she decided that, to her... at that time, she was desperate. Life wasn't worth it for her, that was her opinion. Some people think, never take your life, and some people find that their life isn't worth living. She was in love with my Dad, and my Dad was not faithful to her, and it broke her heart. She was very desperate and she did something that I know she regrets."
When We Were Young
Blink-182
Blink-182
This is a sequel to 2001's "Reckless Abandon", and features the band looking back on their clumsy youth fondly.
American Town
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran shares a short story of reconnecting with an old flame on “American Town.” The track is about a holiday Ed Sheeran spends with his countrywoman who resides in America. The two are back together after a long period apart, and get around to enjoying a bunch of fun activities while rekindling the flames of their romance.