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.
Oh I got a problem
Rising deep from my bones
Years of hibernation
I can't wait to be exposed
Leaping from the darkness
To feel the new moon and light
It howls like a jet plane and echoes through the night
Oh now you done it
You woke up some stuff
We don't have to talk about it
Round here things might get rough
You poked a sleeping giant
That ain't ate in months
And when it opens it's eyes
First thing it's gonna wanna do
Welcome to joint
Welcome to my world
I'm no longer boy
And you're much stronger, girl
I'm not barracuda
And you're not Thundercat
And we're at war
We're at war with no compass or map
No compass or map
No boundary fences, no ceilings or doors
No blanks or denials
Just shrieks and unheard roars
[inaudible]
No emergency numbers
You went and planted [inaudible]
No bell to guide you
Just blue, black, and stars
Wrapped us in angry earth
Manipulated your heart
[inaudible]
Under high fortress sky
Til undiscovered you died
Welcome to my oyster
Don't you touch my pearl
I used to be your
And you used to be my squirrel
Now I'm barracuda
And you're Thundercat
And we're at war
We're at war with no compass or map
No compass or map
I got respect for my enemy
In the shadows they lie
In the shadows we live
And in the shadows we cry
In the fashion of virtue
Is now a hopeless appeal
Cause love is core side to side
That you can't keep what you steal
You can't keep what you steal
You can't keep what you steal
Welcome to my Milky
You can't change my universe
The things that won't last
We always seem to put first
Now I'm Mt. Olympus
You're baby
We could end this war
We could end this war
We could end this war
We could end this war
We don't need no
We don't need no
We don't need no compass or map
We don't need no compass or map
We don't need nobody
All we need is you and me
We'll work it out, baby
Rising deep from my bones
Years of hibernation
I can't wait to be exposed
Leaping from the darkness
To feel the new moon and light
It howls like a jet plane and echoes through the night
Oh now you done it
You woke up some stuff
We don't have to talk about it
Round here things might get rough
You poked a sleeping giant
That ain't ate in months
And when it opens it's eyes
First thing it's gonna wanna do
Welcome to joint
Welcome to my world
I'm no longer boy
And you're much stronger, girl
I'm not barracuda
And you're not Thundercat
And we're at war
We're at war with no compass or map
No compass or map
No boundary fences, no ceilings or doors
No blanks or denials
Just shrieks and unheard roars
[inaudible]
No emergency numbers
You went and planted [inaudible]
No bell to guide you
Just blue, black, and stars
Wrapped us in angry earth
Manipulated your heart
[inaudible]
Under high fortress sky
Til undiscovered you died
Welcome to my oyster
Don't you touch my pearl
I used to be your
And you used to be my squirrel
Now I'm barracuda
And you're Thundercat
And we're at war
We're at war with no compass or map
No compass or map
I got respect for my enemy
In the shadows they lie
In the shadows we live
And in the shadows we cry
In the fashion of virtue
Is now a hopeless appeal
Cause love is core side to side
That you can't keep what you steal
You can't keep what you steal
You can't keep what you steal
Welcome to my Milky
You can't change my universe
The things that won't last
We always seem to put first
Now I'm Mt. Olympus
You're baby
We could end this war
We could end this war
We could end this war
We could end this war
We don't need no
We don't need no
We don't need no compass or map
We don't need no compass or map
We don't need nobody
All we need is you and me
We'll work it out, baby
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
Compass Or Map Lyrics as written by Robin A. Thicke Bobby Keyes
Lyrics © Regard Music
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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
Mental Istid
Ebba Grön
Ebba Grön
This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
Son Şansın - Şarkı Sözleri
Hayalperest
Hayalperest
This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere.
In general, it highlights the danger of hidden agendas, manipulation, and distraction, serving as a critique of those who exploit chaos and confusion to control and gain power, depicting a cautionary tale against falling into their traps. It encourages us to question the narratives presented to us and remain vigilant against manipulation in various parts of society.
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.
Punchline
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran sings about missing his former partner and learning important life lessons in the process on “Punchline.” This track tells a story of battling to get rid of emotions for a former lover, whom he now realized might not have loved him the same way. He’s now caught between accepting that fact and learning life lessons from it and going back to beg her for another chance.