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.
And God said, "Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven
Let there be lights in heaven to divide the day from the night
And let them be for signs for seasons and for days and years
And let them be for lights to burn in the firmament
To give light upon the earth"
And it was so and God made two, two great lights
The greater light to rule the day, the lesser light to rule the night
The stars as well and God set them in the firmament
To give light upon the earth
And to rule, to rule over the day and over the night
To divide darkness from the light
Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters
Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters
And God said
"Let the waters bring forth abundantly
The moving creature that hath life and foul that may fly
Above the earth in the open firmament of heaven"
Or so do some people believe
Above the earth in the open firmament
And to rule, to rule over the day and over the night
To divide darkness from the light
Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters
Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters
Let there be lights in heaven to divide the day from the night
And let them be for signs for seasons and for days and years
And let them be for lights to burn in the firmament
To give light upon the earth"
And it was so and God made two, two great lights
The greater light to rule the day, the lesser light to rule the night
The stars as well and God set them in the firmament
To give light upon the earth
And to rule, to rule over the day and over the night
To divide darkness from the light
Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters
Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters
And God said
"Let the waters bring forth abundantly
The moving creature that hath life and foul that may fly
Above the earth in the open firmament of heaven"
Or so do some people believe
Above the earth in the open firmament
And to rule, to rule over the day and over the night
To divide darkness from the light
Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters
Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters
Lyrics submitted by NoahTheDuke
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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,
I Can't Go To Sleep
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This song is written as the perspective of the boys in the street, as a whole, and what path they are going to choose as they get older and grow into men. (This is why the music video takes place in an orphanage.) The seen, and unseen collective suffering is imbedded in the boys’ mind, consciously or subconsciously, and is haunting them. Which path will the boys choose? Issac Hayes is the voice of reason, maybe God, the angel on his shoulder, or the voice of his forefathers from beyond the grave who can see the big picture and are pleading with the boys not to continue the violence and pattern of killing their brothers, but to rise above. The most beautiful song and has so many levels. Racism towards African Americans in America would not exist if everyone sat down and listened to this song and understood the history behind the words. The power, fear, pleading in RZA and Ghostface voices are genuine and powerful. Issac Hayes’ strong voice makes the perfect strong father figure, who is possibly from beyond the grave.
No Surprises
Radiohead
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Same ideas expressed in Fitter, Happier are expressed in this song. We're told to strive for some sort of ideal life, which includes getting a good job, being kind to everyone, finding a partner, getting married, having a couple kids, living in a quiet neighborhood in a nice big house, etc. But in Fitter, Happier the narrator(?) realizes that it's incredibly robotic to live this life. People are being used by those in power "like a pig in a cage on antibiotics"--being pacified with things like new phones and cool gadgets and houses while being sucked dry. On No Surprises, the narrator is realizing how this life is killing him slowly. In the video, his helmet is slowly filling up with water, drowning him. But he's so complacent with it. This is a good summary of the song. This boring, "perfect" life foisted upon us by some higher powers (not spiritual, but political, economic, etc. politicians and businessmen, perhaps) is not the way to live. But there is seemingly no way out but death. He'd rather die peacefully right now than live in this cage. While our lives are often shielded, we're in our own protective bubbles, or protective helmets like the one Thom wears, if we look a little harder we can see all the corruption, lies, manipulation, etc. that is going on in the world, often run by huge yet nearly invisible organizations, corporations, and 'leaders'. It's a very hopeless song because it reflects real life.
Just A Little Lovin'
Dusty Springfield
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I don't think it's necessarily about sex. It's about wanting to start the day with some love and affection. Maybe a warm cuddle. I'm not alone in interpreting it that way! For example:
"'Just a Little Lovin’ is a timeless country song originally recorded by Eddy Arnold in 1954. The song, written by Eddie Miller and Jimmy Campbell, explores the delicate nuances of love and showcases Arnold’s emotive vocals. It delves into the universal theme of love and how even the smallest gesture of affection can have a profound impact on our lives." https://oldtimemusic.com/the-meaning-behind-the-song-just-a-little-lovin-by-eddy-arnold/
I believe these lyrics are showing an objective view of biblical scripture of Genesis. They are quoting it nigh verbatim, the intended effect being that there actually is no firmament. No solidified separation between the sky and world its atmosphere encompasses. Ultimately the band has an anti-theistic approach to their style of lyrics. They often illustrate that the beliefs that so many hold close and dear to their hearts are based on out-dated standards of thought, perceptions, and notions. All of these things can come crashing down just like the band bringing down the firmament itself, shattering the sky with dissonance and fractured rhythms. It pulls people into its chordal progression much like a dialogue would, the topic of discussion: What do you believe? Is it at all real?