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.
Well the sky's turning purple above the community center
And I'm sitting in a circle telling my secrets to strangers
And they say I've got a problem but I don't know that I've got one
Cause you never know that you've got one til someone comes along and spots one
They say it's the hardest step but it's the first one of many
And my feet are stuck to the ground and I can't seem to take any
I could tell them that I just came for the free cup of tea and the biscuit
And make my way toward the door but I don't think I can risk it cause
I never wanted to stay but the morning came so soon
And we all know the words but we just sing them out of tune
Cause I had my first drink when I was fourteen and I knew that I was in trouble
Cause I woke up the next morning with my face down in the rubble
And everyone was drinking singles I'd pour myself a double
I just needed a little bit more
And now I'm sitting here with my name badge and I'm listening to the same sad
Stories about their old dads and making all of the same bad
Turnings at their crossroads and drowning all their sorrows
Without any lifeguard around
Oh no!
I never wanted to stay but the morning came so soon
And we all know the words but we just sing them out of tune
And oh no
And the sky's turning dark as we all step out into the carpark
And I'll see you all same time same place next week
But before we go our separate ways there's just one thing I'd like to say
Is anybody up for a drink?
And I'm sitting in a circle telling my secrets to strangers
And they say I've got a problem but I don't know that I've got one
Cause you never know that you've got one til someone comes along and spots one
They say it's the hardest step but it's the first one of many
And my feet are stuck to the ground and I can't seem to take any
I could tell them that I just came for the free cup of tea and the biscuit
And make my way toward the door but I don't think I can risk it cause
I never wanted to stay but the morning came so soon
And we all know the words but we just sing them out of tune
Cause I had my first drink when I was fourteen and I knew that I was in trouble
Cause I woke up the next morning with my face down in the rubble
And everyone was drinking singles I'd pour myself a double
I just needed a little bit more
And now I'm sitting here with my name badge and I'm listening to the same sad
Stories about their old dads and making all of the same bad
Turnings at their crossroads and drowning all their sorrows
Without any lifeguard around
Oh no!
I never wanted to stay but the morning came so soon
And we all know the words but we just sing them out of tune
And oh no
And the sky's turning dark as we all step out into the carpark
And I'll see you all same time same place next week
But before we go our separate ways there's just one thing I'd like to say
Is anybody up for a drink?
Lyrics submitted by toadtws
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
Head > Heels
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Head > Heels” is a track that aims to capture what it feels like to experience romance that exceeds expectations. Ed Sheeran dedicates his album outro to a lover who has blessed him with a unique experience that he seeks to describe through the song’s nuanced lyrics.
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.
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.
Plastic Bag
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“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.
Fairly clear meaning, but a beautiful, eloquent expression of the idea.
He's at an alcoholics anonymous (or similar) meeting at his local community centre, describing how he's slowly coming to terms with the concept that he has an alcohol problem and reminiscing on how it all started.
He never fully accepts this idea in the song, as seen in the last line, but comes very close at times to taking that first, 'hardest step' of admitting he has a problem as seen in the line "I could tell them that I just came for the free cup of tea and the biscuit, and make my way toward the door but I don't think I can risk it" as in he can't risk not doing something about his drinking, and he goes on to reflect how he "never wanted to stay", presumably referring to staying til the early morning at the local pub.