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.
First and foremost, let it be said,
I am writing this at 7:10 am,
On the hard dry tarmac of a vacant forecourt.
Astronomically speaking, it's the first day of Autumn.
But the sun is hanging round like summer's hungover.
They'll knock the garage down and build flats where I sit.
The traffic's so persistent that it barely registers
And it smells like a mix between petrol and dog shit.
Just let me be the one that keeps track of the moles on your back
I just sighed, the universe replied: "let this pass you by"
Sometimes it's just enough to know I keep him on his toes.
Is he as sympathetic as me to the untimely demise of your synthetic clothes?
I've displayed marriage proposals on the Jumbotrons of ballgames you've not been at,
I've written eulogies in guestbooks of galleries in the hopes that you might pass
Just let me be the one that keeps track of the moles on your back
I just sighed, the universe replied: "let this pass you by"
She; nervous and barefoot, chats to me at the front door.
He; boyfriend, inside's a saint, becoming a martyr.
Me; rolling, writhing on the floor, stared daggers pulled from my thoracic wall.
When I hold sea shells to my ears, I'm pretty sure I can hear you.
He gave a gift of the Faber book of love poems,
Annotated the ones he thought applied the most.
Not gonna win you round with prose,
If anyone should know then it's I should know.
Girl, there must be a reason you let it slip,
Went to the point of sending the message.
Six months of visceral catherine wheels,
Kissing carnivores to make it seem like less of a deal.
Just let me be the one that keeps track of the moles on your back
I just sighed, the universe replied: "let this pass you by"
I promise after this I will pick up the phone book
And choose the name that my eyes fall upon on their first look.
Aim all of my poorly composed declarations there in the future.
I'm so sorry to have to put you through a lifetime of dedications
You never desired
But this one sentence bludgeons me over the head
Ok, I'm a little bit drunk and I mean just a little bit
No lush in denial, only rather coquettish
I'm fifteen years old and my parents' only son,
Like I barely survived a girls' school education.
Even prettier now that you've grown your hair long,
I'm a slip of a man since I cut mine all off.
Please just let me be the one to keep track
Of the freckles and the moles on your back.
I am writing this at 7:10 am,
On the hard dry tarmac of a vacant forecourt.
Astronomically speaking, it's the first day of Autumn.
But the sun is hanging round like summer's hungover.
They'll knock the garage down and build flats where I sit.
The traffic's so persistent that it barely registers
And it smells like a mix between petrol and dog shit.
Just let me be the one that keeps track of the moles on your back
I just sighed, the universe replied: "let this pass you by"
Sometimes it's just enough to know I keep him on his toes.
Is he as sympathetic as me to the untimely demise of your synthetic clothes?
I've displayed marriage proposals on the Jumbotrons of ballgames you've not been at,
I've written eulogies in guestbooks of galleries in the hopes that you might pass
Just let me be the one that keeps track of the moles on your back
I just sighed, the universe replied: "let this pass you by"
She; nervous and barefoot, chats to me at the front door.
He; boyfriend, inside's a saint, becoming a martyr.
Me; rolling, writhing on the floor, stared daggers pulled from my thoracic wall.
When I hold sea shells to my ears, I'm pretty sure I can hear you.
He gave a gift of the Faber book of love poems,
Annotated the ones he thought applied the most.
Not gonna win you round with prose,
If anyone should know then it's I should know.
Girl, there must be a reason you let it slip,
Went to the point of sending the message.
Six months of visceral catherine wheels,
Kissing carnivores to make it seem like less of a deal.
Just let me be the one that keeps track of the moles on your back
I just sighed, the universe replied: "let this pass you by"
I promise after this I will pick up the phone book
And choose the name that my eyes fall upon on their first look.
Aim all of my poorly composed declarations there in the future.
I'm so sorry to have to put you through a lifetime of dedications
You never desired
But this one sentence bludgeons me over the head
Ok, I'm a little bit drunk and I mean just a little bit
No lush in denial, only rather coquettish
I'm fifteen years old and my parents' only son,
Like I barely survived a girls' school education.
Even prettier now that you've grown your hair long,
I'm a slip of a man since I cut mine all off.
Please just let me be the one to keep track
Of the freckles and the moles on your back.
Lyrics submitted by iwishiwasthemoon, edited by TheSatah
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Where'd you get those lyrics? I cannot understand how he can be saying writing, and not writhing. Not only does it sound like the latter, but the former doesn't make ANY sense. Are you sure you've got that right?
'Writing' isn't necessarily nonsensical, given the opening lines "I am writing this at 7:10 am / On the hard dry tarmac of a vacant forecourt."
Ok but it doesn't make sense in the context of that lyric. Writhing makes perfect sense. Plus he clearly makes an "thh" sound.
Haha, you're actually right, just got the album today, and the booklet says 'Me; rolling, writhing on the floor'
The digital booklet from itunes that Gareth wrote says "writhing".