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 she left me here halfway
Between the bright lights of Los Angeles
And the tawdry nights of San Jose
With Ecstacy and Ivory Wave
And a backpack full of Captain Jack
To take me to an early grave
And I’ve never been to paradise
Standing on this corner by myself
You don’t have to tell me twice
And the world’s not gonna end
If I could just pretend
That here’s a place to go
San Luis Obispo
And the streets may look the same
Of any town by any name
Gonna find my afterglow
San Luis Obispo
The difference between delight
And loneliness could be a one way flight
In these San Luis Obispo nights
Where no one seems to mind
If you string your words together with
Kool cigarettes and sparkling wine
Keep the conversation light
Wait until the girls get under-dressed
And then the talk gets less polite
And I could stay here all my days
But will I spend my life deciding if
Happiness is just a phase
And I hope that I’m not wrong
Maybe here’s where I belong
Every winter free of snow
San Luis Obispo
But if she’s coming back again
I would flee but until then
Every day my love it grows
San Luis Obispo
The difference between delight
And loneliness is never black or white
In these San Luis Obispo nights
Sorry you misunderstood
This kid with his intentions good
When all I had was two feet left to stand
And if you’re coming back through town
Put your ear down to the ground
Cause this boy’s voice has changed into a man’s
And I hope that I’m not wrong
Baby here’s where I belong
Every winter free of snow
San Luis Obispo
But if she’s coming back again
I would flee but until then
Every day my love it grows
San Luis Obispo
The difference between delight
And loneliness could be a one way flight
In these San Luis Obispo nights
Between the bright lights of Los Angeles
And the tawdry nights of San Jose
With Ecstacy and Ivory Wave
And a backpack full of Captain Jack
To take me to an early grave
And I’ve never been to paradise
Standing on this corner by myself
You don’t have to tell me twice
And the world’s not gonna end
If I could just pretend
That here’s a place to go
San Luis Obispo
And the streets may look the same
Of any town by any name
Gonna find my afterglow
San Luis Obispo
The difference between delight
And loneliness could be a one way flight
In these San Luis Obispo nights
Where no one seems to mind
If you string your words together with
Kool cigarettes and sparkling wine
Keep the conversation light
Wait until the girls get under-dressed
And then the talk gets less polite
And I could stay here all my days
But will I spend my life deciding if
Happiness is just a phase
And I hope that I’m not wrong
Maybe here’s where I belong
Every winter free of snow
San Luis Obispo
But if she’s coming back again
I would flee but until then
Every day my love it grows
San Luis Obispo
The difference between delight
And loneliness is never black or white
In these San Luis Obispo nights
Sorry you misunderstood
This kid with his intentions good
When all I had was two feet left to stand
And if you’re coming back through town
Put your ear down to the ground
Cause this boy’s voice has changed into a man’s
And I hope that I’m not wrong
Baby here’s where I belong
Every winter free of snow
San Luis Obispo
But if she’s coming back again
I would flee but until then
Every day my love it grows
San Luis Obispo
The difference between delight
And loneliness could be a one way flight
In these San Luis Obispo nights
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