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.
If I touched myself
The way you touched me
If I could hold myself
The way you held me
[Chorus]
Then I wouldn't need you
I wouldn't need you
No, I wouldn't need you
To love me
If I could replace
The things you gave me
If I could see my face
Without the tragedy
[Chorus]
But I do
So come back
Come back
If you could see the way I act
When I'm alone
If you could hear my voice crack
Over the phone
Oh and I need you
Oh and I need you
To love me
The way you touched me
If I could hold myself
The way you held me
[Chorus]
Then I wouldn't need you
I wouldn't need you
No, I wouldn't need you
To love me
If I could replace
The things you gave me
If I could see my face
Without the tragedy
[Chorus]
But I do
So come back
Come back
If you could see the way I act
When I'm alone
If you could hear my voice crack
Over the phone
Oh and I need you
Oh and I need you
To love me
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I really adore this song. She makes a very strong point, although I would have preferred the first line to be "If I could touch myself the way you touched me" instead of "If I touched myself the way you touched me". The first line just kinda makes me think dirty :P Unless that's what she intended :O
it doesn't have to be "dirty." I mean, yeah, she's probably talking about sex, but not in a vulgar way. It doesn't mean he.. touched it privately, but maybe just how he would touch her sensually. maybe it was the way he grazed her shoulder or the way his fingers played with her ear lob. stuff like that. It's intimate, but not really dirty.
I agree with you, i think dirty too. But i am sure it was meant to be that way, and you could tell she is a little bit edgier, or tring to move into an edgier kind of thing simpl by her new haircut, she is trying to seem more sultry. Anywa enough of that, this is a very tender song, a gem from the new album, i actuallly enjoy the new album, but the reviews have been anything but impressed,
I agree that it seems dirty, but I think it's also very intimate. Aside from that, though, I absolutely adore this song. It's probably one of my favorites from the album. I especially love "If you could hear my voice crack over the phone." There's something so emotional about that particular line.
This song is great in its simplicity. Love gone bad. One moves on, the other is deeply in love, but can do nothing to fix the relationship. A nice, bittersweet love song. And, with all respect to previous posts, I see nothing 'dirty' about the "... touch myself..." line. She misses his touch, something she cannot experience without him. I do agree that saying "touch me" would have been a bit less... literal, maybe. Also provide for a double meaning... literal touch, or emotional touch. Or both. Good tune.
This is a beautiful yet tragic song. It was the best song to cry to during the worst heartbreak I have suffered. The song is so much about just needing someone after they have left you. I agree with mayabcd, the "If you could hear my voice crack over the phone" line is the real gut-wrencher for me.