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.
So I got your message
And it's been a long time
Since we have spoken
Face to face
I can't help but question
Your cause of interest
Just left the dead lay
Buried in their graves
Why now?
When I was feeling just content enough
To forget you
I found skeletons grow stronger
When kept from the light
I would rather die
Than admit that I
Don't know, don't know
I would rather die
Than admit that I
Don't know, don't know
You would rather be alone
Than admit that you were wrong
Than admit that you were wrong
There's blood on the freeway
Painting a poisoned past
Kissed with a hard rain
Washed away
You're back to your old ways
Carelessly leaving tracks
The road you have chosen
I refuse to take
Why now?
When I was feeling just content enough
To forget you
I found skeletons grow stronger
When kept from the light
I would rather die
Than admit that I
Don't know, don't know
I would rather die
Than admit that I
Don't know, don't know
You would rather be alone
Than admit that you were wrong
Than admit that you were wrong
I would rather die
Than admit that I
Don't know, don't know
I would rather die
Than admit that I
Don't know, don't know
You would rather be alone
Why now?
When I was feeling just content enough
To forget you
I found skeletons grow stronger
When kept in the rearview
Why now?
When I was feeling just content enough
To forget you
I found skeletons grow stronger
When kept in the rearview
In the rearview
And it's been a long time
Since we have spoken
Face to face
I can't help but question
Your cause of interest
Just left the dead lay
Buried in their graves
Why now?
When I was feeling just content enough
To forget you
I found skeletons grow stronger
When kept from the light
I would rather die
Than admit that I
Don't know, don't know
I would rather die
Than admit that I
Don't know, don't know
You would rather be alone
Than admit that you were wrong
Than admit that you were wrong
There's blood on the freeway
Painting a poisoned past
Kissed with a hard rain
Washed away
You're back to your old ways
Carelessly leaving tracks
The road you have chosen
I refuse to take
Why now?
When I was feeling just content enough
To forget you
I found skeletons grow stronger
When kept from the light
I would rather die
Than admit that I
Don't know, don't know
I would rather die
Than admit that I
Don't know, don't know
You would rather be alone
Than admit that you were wrong
Than admit that you were wrong
I would rather die
Than admit that I
Don't know, don't know
I would rather die
Than admit that I
Don't know, don't know
You would rather be alone
Why now?
When I was feeling just content enough
To forget you
I found skeletons grow stronger
When kept in the rearview
Why now?
When I was feeling just content enough
To forget you
I found skeletons grow stronger
When kept in the rearview
In the rearview
Lyrics submitted by thoseguiltyeyes, edited by bookiebook
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
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
"Fast car" is kind of a continuation of Bruce Springsteen's "Born to Run." It has all the clawing your way to a better life, but in this case the protagonist never makes it with her love; in fact she is dragged back down by him.
There is still an amazing amount of hope and will in the lyrics; and the lyrics themselve rank and easy five. If only music was stronger it would be one of those great radio songs that you hear once a week 20 years after it was released. The imagery is almost tear-jerking ("City lights lay out before us", "Speeds so fast felt like I was drunk"), and the idea of starting from nothing and just driving and working and denigrating yourself for a chance at being just above poverty, then losing in the end is just painful and inspiring at the same time.
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,
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.
Wow, I just rediscovered this song today. It's incredible.
Anywho, I can really relate to this, with a slightly nonconventional interpretation.
Guy meets girl. Guy and girl are great friends, but the guy wants more. Unfortunately the girl doesn't know what she wants, so they have a falling out, but the guy still has feelings which he must hide away for her.
Flash forward a bit. Girl tries to contact him again. Now its been months, and he's almost over her. But the whole thing has left him jaded to love, so he's a bit confused on how to react. Unfortunately they both have a very strong sense of pride. Her in not wanting him to admit that she was wrong, him in that he does not want to admit he's still head over heels for her.