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.
Isabella, Isabella, I heard you crying through the walls
What's the matter? What's the matter?
All the neighbors hear it down the hall
And I didn't want to be the first to say
Everyone around here thinks you're crazy
And I didn't want to be the first to say you shouldn't stay,
Isabella run away
All your heroes are your records,
You play 'em loud but I don't mind the noise.
Why ya hiding? Why you staying?
Maybe you don't think you have a choice.
And I didn't want to tell you face to face
That your mom and dad are straight up crazy
It's really hard for me to say that you shouldn't stay,
Isabella run away
Don't you be afraid
It's never too late
You're a sleeping tiger, come awake
Isabella run away.
Out the window of your bedroom, climb on down the fire escape.
I left some money and a ticket.
For the first time in your life don't be afraid
And baby I will be the first to say
You are stronger than you know, you'll find your way.
Isabella run away.
Don't you be afraid
It's never too late
You're a sleeping tiger, come awake
Isabella run away.
Isabella, Isabella
Isabella, Isabella
Don't you be afraid
It's never too late
You're a sleeping tiger, come awake
Isabella run away.
What's the matter? What's the matter?
All the neighbors hear it down the hall
And I didn't want to be the first to say
Everyone around here thinks you're crazy
And I didn't want to be the first to say you shouldn't stay,
Isabella run away
All your heroes are your records,
You play 'em loud but I don't mind the noise.
Why ya hiding? Why you staying?
Maybe you don't think you have a choice.
And I didn't want to tell you face to face
That your mom and dad are straight up crazy
It's really hard for me to say that you shouldn't stay,
Isabella run away
Don't you be afraid
It's never too late
You're a sleeping tiger, come awake
Isabella run away.
Out the window of your bedroom, climb on down the fire escape.
I left some money and a ticket.
For the first time in your life don't be afraid
And baby I will be the first to say
You are stronger than you know, you'll find your way.
Isabella run away.
Don't you be afraid
It's never too late
You're a sleeping tiger, come awake
Isabella run away.
Isabella, Isabella
Isabella, Isabella
Don't you be afraid
It's never too late
You're a sleeping tiger, come awake
Isabella run away.
Lyrics submitted by This2x4Skeleton
Isabella Lyrics as written by Dia Frampton Brett James
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Downtown Music Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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Feels a lot like it's the perspective of a neighbor of a woman/girl who's in either an abusive relationship or has parents that fight. Pretty sel-explanatory in these lens
Isabella, Isabella, I heard you crying through the walls What's the matter? What's the matter? All the neighbors hear it down the hall- I think this is from like the perspective of a best friend or a neighbor asking Isabella why she's always crying.
And I didn't want to be the first to say Everyone around here thinks you're crazy And I didn't want to be the first to say you shouldn't stay Isabella run away- I think this verse is the girl telling Isabella that everyone knows how depressed she is, that it's starting to destroy her and that she's starting to go insane. She's telling her that she needs to run away from the prison she's trapped in that's in her mind.
All your heroes are your records You play 'em loud but I don't mind the noise Why ya hiding? Why you staying? Maybe you don't think you have a choice- I think now she's saying Isabella the only escape you have is through music. Why are you hiding here and why are you staying here instead of chasing your dreams? Maybe it's because you don't think you can do it.
And I didn't want to tell you face to face, That your mom and dad are straight up, crazy It's really hard for me to say, that you shouldn't stay Isabella run away Don't you be afraid It's never too late You're a sleeping tiger, come awake Isabella run away- in this part she's saying that she knows that Isabella's parents are holding her back that she needs to get away quick.
Out the window of your bedroom Climb on down the fire escape I left son money and a ticket For the first time in your life don't be afraid- she's saying that she's going to help her get away, help her escape.
And maybe I will be the first to say That you are stronger than you know You'll find your way Isabella run away- she's telling Isabella that she's strong and she can do it. Stronger than she thinks and that she's going to be okay. To run away. This what she expresses throughout the rest of the song.
Can completely relate to this song. My name is even Isabella lol