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.
You were a phonograph, I was a kid
I sat with an ear close, just listening
I was there when the rain tapped her way down you face
You were a miracle I was just holding your space
Well time has a way of throwing it all in your face
The past, she is haunted, the future is laced
Heartbreak, you know, drives a big black car
Swear I was in the back seat, just minding my own
And through the glass, the corn crows come like rain
They won't stay, they won't stay
For too long now
This could be all that we know
Of love and all
Well you were a dancer and I was a rag
The song in my head, well was all that I had
Hope was a letter I never could send
Well love was a country we couldn't defend
And through the carnival we watch them go round and round
All we knew of home was just a sunset and some clowns
Well you were a magazine, I was a plain jane
Just walking the sidewalks all covered in rain
Love to just get into some of your stories
Me and all of my plain jane glory
Just me and all of my plain jane glory
I sat with an ear close, just listening
I was there when the rain tapped her way down you face
You were a miracle I was just holding your space
Well time has a way of throwing it all in your face
The past, she is haunted, the future is laced
Heartbreak, you know, drives a big black car
Swear I was in the back seat, just minding my own
And through the glass, the corn crows come like rain
They won't stay, they won't stay
For too long now
This could be all that we know
Of love and all
Well you were a dancer and I was a rag
The song in my head, well was all that I had
Hope was a letter I never could send
Well love was a country we couldn't defend
And through the carnival we watch them go round and round
All we knew of home was just a sunset and some clowns
Well you were a magazine, I was a plain jane
Just walking the sidewalks all covered in rain
Love to just get into some of your stories
Me and all of my plain jane glory
Just me and all of my plain jane glory
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So, the first night was not a great start, but the narrator pursued the relationship and eventually both overcame the rough start to fall in love with each other:
"I had all and then most of you"
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"Some and now none of you"
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This song plays well versed picture. The song suits a void within the character's heart. The inevitable failure of his loving relationship, is characterized by an unworthy sensitivity. He remembers himself listening to her with passion characterizing her as his "miracle", while he was "holdin', her "space".
The next verse leads associating "space", with "time". He holds dramatic remorse for this abrupt and certain heartbreak. "The future is laced", foreshadows the end of all contact, for "The past, she is haunted."
Big Black Car is symbolic of death, in this case the death within his heart. He claims he "was in the back seat", meaning he was not unaware of the situations that lead to this tragic heartbreak.
Now peering through the backseat window of the Big Black Car, "the corn crows come like rain." The season is over, however the crows are symbolic of all the idiosyncratic places reminding his lost harvest in love.
"They won't stay, they won't stay". His future is also laced, he knows that these reminders will come to pass. He knows this process is long, however not "For too long now".
He is optimistic despite the pain of thinking, "this could be all that we know of love?" All he feels is the heartbreak.
In comparison to the dancer she was, he knows he was the rag. Symbolized to blister his useless presence. The song playing in his head numbs his realization of noticing anything wrong at all. Love being the country "we" couldn't defend is instating his mind in present state. Much like speaking from the 3rd person. It is out of his mind and control.
The ending verses come simply as a show. The writer empathizes with anyone joining this carnival of love, always hearing of that perfect love is just a joke.
He knows her future is destined, he wishes he could be a part in her journey. Maybe she will remember him, only from the good times of his glory.
Ahhh your responce is amazing, made me appreciate the song even more! Thank you :)