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.
Traveling in circles,
The world's a sinking oyster,
And my bed's become unfathomably white.
Oh, workin' workin' workin' workin'
Dream about the cloister,
And occasionally get out to see the sun shine
Oh, then I see him at a distance,
He is devilishly handsome.
He is charming and impeccably dressed.
He has a little black bag with him,
And what's in it isn't certain,
But I'm going to take an educated guess.
Oh, I'm starting to feel faint,
Like a lady in a movie.
Oh, someone fetch ammonia and some towels.
Oh, but it needs to be administered
By a fella who is registered...
Is there a doctor in the house?
Doctor Oz, Doctor Oz, Doctor Oz,
Doctor Oz, Doctor Oz, Doctor Oz, Doctor Oz,
Show me how they treat you in the South.
You call this arctic bullshit summer?
It's a sad excuse for weather,
And I want to crawl and live inside the couch.
Oh, but despite the bitter chills,
And the difficultly breathing,
There's a fire in my stomach and it won't go out
Until I'm traveling in circles,
And the world's a sinking oyster,
and my bed's become unfathomably white.
Oh, workin' workin' workin' workin'
Dream about the cloister
And occasionally get out to see the sun shine
Could it be an illness
I've contracted from the business?
And could it be transmittable by mouth?
Oh, you my friends are witness,
As I try to kick the sickness,
Is there a doctor in the house?
Doctor Oz, Doctor Oz, Doctor Oz,
Doctor Oz, Doctor Oz, Doctor Oz, Doctor Oz
Show me how you do it...
In the South.
The world's a sinking oyster,
And my bed's become unfathomably white.
Oh, workin' workin' workin' workin'
Dream about the cloister,
And occasionally get out to see the sun shine
Oh, then I see him at a distance,
He is devilishly handsome.
He is charming and impeccably dressed.
He has a little black bag with him,
And what's in it isn't certain,
But I'm going to take an educated guess.
Oh, I'm starting to feel faint,
Like a lady in a movie.
Oh, someone fetch ammonia and some towels.
Oh, but it needs to be administered
By a fella who is registered...
Is there a doctor in the house?
Doctor Oz, Doctor Oz, Doctor Oz,
Doctor Oz, Doctor Oz, Doctor Oz, Doctor Oz,
Show me how they treat you in the South.
You call this arctic bullshit summer?
It's a sad excuse for weather,
And I want to crawl and live inside the couch.
Oh, but despite the bitter chills,
And the difficultly breathing,
There's a fire in my stomach and it won't go out
Until I'm traveling in circles,
And the world's a sinking oyster,
and my bed's become unfathomably white.
Oh, workin' workin' workin' workin'
Dream about the cloister
And occasionally get out to see the sun shine
Could it be an illness
I've contracted from the business?
And could it be transmittable by mouth?
Oh, you my friends are witness,
As I try to kick the sickness,
Is there a doctor in the house?
Doctor Oz, Doctor Oz, Doctor Oz,
Doctor Oz, Doctor Oz, Doctor Oz, Doctor Oz
Show me how you do it...
In the South.
Lyrics submitted by kumasmash
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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,
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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/
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“Blue” is a song about a love that is persisting in the discomfort of the person experiencing the emotion. Ed Sheeran reflects on love lost, and although he wishes his former partner find happiness, he cannot but admit his feelings are still very much there. He expresses the realization that he might never find another on this stringed instrumental by Aaron Dessner.
Plastic Bag
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“Plastic Bag” is a song about searching for an escape from personal problems and hoping to find it in the lively atmosphere of a Saturday night party. Ed Sheeran tells the story of his friend and the myriad of troubles he is going through. Unable to find any solutions, this friend seeks a last resort in a party and the vanity that comes with it.
“I overthink and have trouble sleepin’ / All purpose gone and don’t have a reason / And there’s no doctor to stop this bleedin’ / So I left home and jumped in the deep end,” Ed Sheeran sings in verse one. He continues by adding that this person is feeling the weight of having disappointed his father and doesn’t have any friends to rely on in this difficult moment. In the second verse, Ed sings about the role of grief in his friend’s plight and his dwindling faith in prayer. “Saturday night is givin’ me a reason to rely on the strobe lights / The lifeline of a promise in a shot glass, and I’ll take that / If you’re givin’ out love from a plastic bag,” Ed sings on the chorus, as his friend turns to new vices in hopes of feeling better.
Any Australians care to take a stab at the references here? This is on the Australian album, and the references to travel and weather are presumably about her experience, but I don't have any more background or other cultural specifics.
Per an interview at TheVine.au, Amanda says of this song:<br /> <br /> "That was actually written in Scotland about a crush I had on an Aussie from Melbourne. The song makes a whole different kind of sense if you realise that I wrote it while abroad, obsessing over an Australian guy."<br /> <br /> Personally, I am left wondering if it's about Tom Dickins of The Jane Austen Argument, given that she also states on the album that she and he met at the Fringe Festival in Edinburgh.
Thanks! That was very helpful.