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.
Living in colour, living in colour
I can see the paint on your toes
Living in colour
Even in the blackout, I know
I am floating, I, I am floating
With my eyes closed, with no sails
I am soaking, I am weathered by the winter of mixed drinks
Am I dancing am am I nervous simply spinning in my own grave
You were asking, you, you were asking
And with two steps, I'm saved
Living in colour, living in colour
I can see the paint on your toes
Living in colour
Even in the blackout, I know
Weeks gone by, I was weak
I was paler than a pine box that holds bones
She poked the iris, then she pierced a hole
And watched the colour rush forth
Modern Madonna, who held my head in
Warm hands, with pink nails
Mark my mouth, whisper that the sickness will go away
Living in colour, living in colour
I can see the paint on your toes
Living in colour
Even in the blackout, I know
Living in colour, living in colour
I can see the paint on your toes
Living in colour
Even as I blackout, I know
And though I dreamt with a rapid eye
By day I hope to rapidly die
And have my organs laid on ice
Wait for somebody that would treat them right
And as the night started swallowing
You put the blood to my blue lips
Forced the life through still veins
Filled my heart with red again
Living in colour, living in colour
I can see the paint on your toes
Living in colour
Even in the blackout, I know
Living in colour, living in colour
I can see the paint on your toes
Living in colour
Even in the blackout, I know
Living in colour, living in colour
I can see the paint on your toes
Living in colour
Even as I blackout, I know
I can see the paint on your toes
Living in colour
Even in the blackout, I know
I am floating, I, I am floating
With my eyes closed, with no sails
I am soaking, I am weathered by the winter of mixed drinks
Am I dancing am am I nervous simply spinning in my own grave
You were asking, you, you were asking
And with two steps, I'm saved
Living in colour, living in colour
I can see the paint on your toes
Living in colour
Even in the blackout, I know
Weeks gone by, I was weak
I was paler than a pine box that holds bones
She poked the iris, then she pierced a hole
And watched the colour rush forth
Modern Madonna, who held my head in
Warm hands, with pink nails
Mark my mouth, whisper that the sickness will go away
Living in colour, living in colour
I can see the paint on your toes
Living in colour
Even in the blackout, I know
Living in colour, living in colour
I can see the paint on your toes
Living in colour
Even as I blackout, I know
And though I dreamt with a rapid eye
By day I hope to rapidly die
And have my organs laid on ice
Wait for somebody that would treat them right
And as the night started swallowing
You put the blood to my blue lips
Forced the life through still veins
Filled my heart with red again
Living in colour, living in colour
I can see the paint on your toes
Living in colour
Even in the blackout, I know
Living in colour, living in colour
I can see the paint on your toes
Living in colour
Even in the blackout, I know
Living in colour, living in colour
I can see the paint on your toes
Living in colour
Even as I blackout, I know
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
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”
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.
Amazing
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran tells a story of unsuccessfully trying to feel “Amazing.” This track is about the being weighed down by emotional stress despite valiant attempts to find some positivity in the situation. This track was written by Ed Sheeran from the perspective of his friend. From the track, we see this person fall deeper into the negative thoughts and slide further down the path of mental torment with every lyric.
i think cyberghost is on to something, but if you view the lyrics in a more abstract way without attaching them to any specific event i think the song becomes much more powerful. he was passed out on the street but in a metaphoric sense; he was giving up on his life, on himself, and this modern madonna came and saved him and "heals him back to life" as cyber said. nice job :)