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.
A long tall daddy
And his common law wife
Shuffled out of Buffalo
The comfortable life
Holding hands they went
To meet their maker
Just an old fella
In his hey day suit
Dreaming all the dreams
About the film he'd shoot
He said Hey you know
I ain't no Pennebaker
Bridge ~
I'm leaving
Can't keep holding on
I'm leaving
Chorus ~
I can't keep holding on
I'm an uptown ruler
An uptown ruler
All my old friends are gone
I'm an uptown ruler
An uptown ruler
Cast the vote
And dim the light
He's been drinking Ol' Grandad
Every night
Where things are right
And where the air is cooler
The Glory Days
They came and went
His mane it was luxuriant
Now Ol' Grandad
He's the uptown ruler
Bridge
Chorus
And on the days when time goes by
He just hangs his head and sighs
And on the days when time stands still
That's the days when looks could kill
Bridge
Chorus
An uptown ruler
An I could fool her
I'm an uptown ruler
An uptown ruler
An uptown ruler
I'm a ruler
I'm an uptown ruler
An uptown ruler
And his common law wife
Shuffled out of Buffalo
The comfortable life
Holding hands they went
To meet their maker
Just an old fella
In his hey day suit
Dreaming all the dreams
About the film he'd shoot
He said Hey you know
I ain't no Pennebaker
Bridge ~
I'm leaving
Can't keep holding on
I'm leaving
Chorus ~
I can't keep holding on
I'm an uptown ruler
An uptown ruler
All my old friends are gone
I'm an uptown ruler
An uptown ruler
Cast the vote
And dim the light
He's been drinking Ol' Grandad
Every night
Where things are right
And where the air is cooler
The Glory Days
They came and went
His mane it was luxuriant
Now Ol' Grandad
He's the uptown ruler
Bridge
Chorus
And on the days when time goes by
He just hangs his head and sighs
And on the days when time stands still
That's the days when looks could kill
Bridge
Chorus
An uptown ruler
An I could fool her
I'm an uptown ruler
An uptown ruler
An uptown ruler
I'm a ruler
I'm an uptown ruler
An uptown ruler
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
Uptown Ruler Lyrics as written by
Lyrics © Hipgnosis Songs Group
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