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.
I just wanted you to come home
To turn the key, to turn off time
For everything to shine
Are you kind?
Is it you, no really, is it you who
Turns on the good to nothing good
I refuse to
Can you give me a clue?
To where you go, when your eyes don't glow
When I lose you to the moon
You don't want my kiss but you want my kids
Is that any way, is that any way to live?
Are you OK?
What you running, what you running away from life?
What you running, what you running away to hide?
Yes, I wish I could tell you there was nothing but time
What you running, what you running away from life?
What you running, what you running away to hide?
Yes, I wish I could tell you there was nothing but time
There's a story that you won't tell
It's a cruel dark hole, it's the color of cold
It hides in the belly of your life
It gets worse in light
No stopping an emotional war
I'll give you more, I'll be the soldier at your door
If you want me to, I will come through
I can tear your heart out or help you live
Help this endless powerlessness
Just one kiss
What you running, what you running away from life?
What you running, what you running away to hide?
Yes, I wish I could tell you there was nothing but time
Why you running, why you running away from life?
Where you running, Where you running away to hide?
Lest we're running out of time
I just wanted you to come home
I just wanted you to come home
Will you ever be mine?
Can you give me a clue?
Can you give me a clue?
What's the story that you won't tell?
What's the story that you won't tell?
Will you ever be mine?
Can you give me a clue?
Can you give me a clue?
What's the story that you won't tell?
What's the story that you won't tell?
There's a story that you won't tell
Will you ever be mine?
Can you give me a clue?
To turn the key, to turn off time
For everything to shine
Are you kind?
Is it you, no really, is it you who
Turns on the good to nothing good
I refuse to
Can you give me a clue?
To where you go, when your eyes don't glow
When I lose you to the moon
You don't want my kiss but you want my kids
Is that any way, is that any way to live?
Are you OK?
What you running, what you running away from life?
What you running, what you running away to hide?
Yes, I wish I could tell you there was nothing but time
What you running, what you running away from life?
What you running, what you running away to hide?
Yes, I wish I could tell you there was nothing but time
There's a story that you won't tell
It's a cruel dark hole, it's the color of cold
It hides in the belly of your life
It gets worse in light
No stopping an emotional war
I'll give you more, I'll be the soldier at your door
If you want me to, I will come through
I can tear your heart out or help you live
Help this endless powerlessness
Just one kiss
What you running, what you running away from life?
What you running, what you running away to hide?
Yes, I wish I could tell you there was nothing but time
Why you running, why you running away from life?
Where you running, Where you running away to hide?
Lest we're running out of time
I just wanted you to come home
I just wanted you to come home
Will you ever be mine?
Can you give me a clue?
Can you give me a clue?
What's the story that you won't tell?
What's the story that you won't tell?
Will you ever be mine?
Can you give me a clue?
Can you give me a clue?
What's the story that you won't tell?
What's the story that you won't tell?
There's a story that you won't tell
Will you ever be mine?
Can you give me a clue?
Lyrics submitted by fendie, edited by kale_slurpee, ao76421
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
Mountain Song
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction vocalist Perry Farrell gives Adam Reader some heartfelt insight into Jane’s Addiction's hard rock manifesto "Mountain Song", which was the second single from their revolutionary album Nothing's Shocking. Mountain song was first recorded in 1986 and appeared on the soundtrack to the film Dudes starring Jon Cryer. The version on Nothing's Shocking was re-recorded in 1988.
"'Mountain Song' was actually about... I hate to say it but... drugs. Climbing this mountain and getting as high as you can, and then coming down that mountain," reveals Farrell. "What it feels to descend from the mountain top... not easy at all. The ascension is tough but exhilarating. Getting down is... it's a real bummer. Drugs is not for everybody obviously. For me, I wanted to experience the heights, and the lows come along with it."
"There's a part - 'Cash in now honey, cash in Miss Smith.' Miss Smith is my Mother; our last name was Smith. Cashing in when she cashed in her life. So... she decided that, to her... at that time, she was desperate. Life wasn't worth it for her, that was her opinion. Some people think, never take your life, and some people find that their life isn't worth living. She was in love with my Dad, and my Dad was not faithful to her, and it broke her heart. She was very desperate and she did something that I know she regrets."
Gentle Hour
Yo La Tengo
Yo La Tengo
This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
Blue
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Blue” is a song about a love that is persisting in the discomfort of the person experiencing the emotion. Ed Sheeran reflects on love lost, and although he wishes his former partner find happiness, he cannot but admit his feelings are still very much there. He expresses the realization that he might never find another on this stringed instrumental by Aaron Dessner.
Page
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
There aren’t many things that’ll hurt more than giving love a chance against your better judgement only to have your heart crushed yet again. Ed Sheeran tells such a story on “Page.” On this track, he is devastated to have lost his lover and even more saddened by the feeling that he may never move on from this.
Initially this song didn't stand out on the album at all for me, bit after repeated listens this is now my favourite track. And must be really great to hear live, especially at 2:55.
What's it about? Living with someone depressed? Depression zaps your sex drive, your energy, your ability to connect. This feels like a cry of desperation from a husband or wife trying to reconnect with a spouse lost to depression.