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.
I had a funny dream and I came to screaming
That I was in a funny house but it was kind of mine
And I was with you only it wasn't you
It happened in the past but it was somehow now
It put it into focus, things became clear
I had to plan something I handed in my notice
Even though to most it looked random
My heart had left I was just going in tandem
[Chorus]
(I smoked one too many cigarettes
I heard one too many lies
And I've gambled on too many bets
I lost it all to this life)
I'm packing up my desk I've put it into boxes (...to this life)
Knock out the lights, lock the locks and leave
I'll leave one evening be seen off
At a party for my parting in a bar
It starts on the early side and ends in a gutter
With a fumble with a colleague in a car
No more alarm that barks in the dark
With the beeping like darts to the heart
Yes, the maze it does look deep
And days are over for dozing on my cheek
(I smoked one too many cigarettes
I heard one too many lies
And I've gambled on too many bets
I lost it all to this life)
I'm packing up my desk I've put it into boxes (...to this life)
Knock out the lights, lock the locks and leave
Read the funny card signed by all
That was purchased by the person I will always recall
Lock away my labors, steel stationary
A kiss on the lips or a grin in a grip
I had a funny dream and I came to screaming
That I was in a funny house but it was kind of mine
And I was with you only it wasn't you
It happened in the past but it was somehow now
I came to it noon through the tune of a spoon
In a mug in a room, but I knew very soon
That the mug in the room, was the mug yours truly
Because I never stood up for what I wanted to do
(I smoked one too many cigarettes
I heard one too many lies
And I've gambled on too many bets
I lost it all to this life)
I'm packing up my desk I've put it into boxes (...to this life)
Knock out the lights, lock the locks and leave
(I smoked one too many cigarettes
I heard one too many lies
And I've gambled on too many bets
I lost it all too this...
I smoked one too many cigarettes
I heard one too many lies
And I've gambled on too many bets
I lost it all too this life)
I'm packing up my desk I've put it into boxes (...to this life)
Knock out the lights, lock the locks and leave (...to this life)
That I was in a funny house but it was kind of mine
And I was with you only it wasn't you
It happened in the past but it was somehow now
It put it into focus, things became clear
I had to plan something I handed in my notice
Even though to most it looked random
My heart had left I was just going in tandem
[Chorus]
(I smoked one too many cigarettes
I heard one too many lies
And I've gambled on too many bets
I lost it all to this life)
I'm packing up my desk I've put it into boxes (...to this life)
Knock out the lights, lock the locks and leave
I'll leave one evening be seen off
At a party for my parting in a bar
It starts on the early side and ends in a gutter
With a fumble with a colleague in a car
No more alarm that barks in the dark
With the beeping like darts to the heart
Yes, the maze it does look deep
And days are over for dozing on my cheek
(I smoked one too many cigarettes
I heard one too many lies
And I've gambled on too many bets
I lost it all to this life)
I'm packing up my desk I've put it into boxes (...to this life)
Knock out the lights, lock the locks and leave
Read the funny card signed by all
That was purchased by the person I will always recall
Lock away my labors, steel stationary
A kiss on the lips or a grin in a grip
I had a funny dream and I came to screaming
That I was in a funny house but it was kind of mine
And I was with you only it wasn't you
It happened in the past but it was somehow now
I came to it noon through the tune of a spoon
In a mug in a room, but I knew very soon
That the mug in the room, was the mug yours truly
Because I never stood up for what I wanted to do
(I smoked one too many cigarettes
I heard one too many lies
And I've gambled on too many bets
I lost it all to this life)
I'm packing up my desk I've put it into boxes (...to this life)
Knock out the lights, lock the locks and leave
(I smoked one too many cigarettes
I heard one too many lies
And I've gambled on too many bets
I lost it all too this...
I smoked one too many cigarettes
I heard one too many lies
And I've gambled on too many bets
I lost it all too this life)
I'm packing up my desk I've put it into boxes (...to this life)
Knock out the lights, lock the locks and leave (...to this life)
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
Dreamwalker
Silent Planet
Silent Planet
I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
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."
Gentle Hour
Yo La Tengo
Yo La Tengo
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,
American Town
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran shares a short story of reconnecting with an old flame on “American Town.” The track is about a holiday Ed Sheeran spends with his countrywoman who resides in America. The two are back together after a long period apart, and get around to enjoying a bunch of fun activities while rekindling the flames of their romance.
Goodbye to Mike Skinner. Out(?) on a high note, this album is great.
Incredible song - and I agree with the other comment that this was Skinner's "I'm out" song - and he crafted it in a phenomenal way. Knowing that this wasn't his interpretation, I've personally taken it to mean (context: end of a personal relationship), sometimes situations present themselves such that the only thing you can do is to knock out the lights, lock the locks and leave ... and never look back.