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 walked towards the setting sun
I'll prove to them that I am one
Enslaved by the hostile torn
'Cause their demands needs more than so
And when I'm weak and I can't run
Must prove to them that I'm strong
Considering what I've been through
Another cut, another wound
What's the point of touching it
So close you almost taste it?
What's the point of reaching for it
When all doors are closing?
And I wish I could feel it
That feeling of belonging
Instead I'm sentenced to solitude
And all doors are closing
Through endless nights of anguished sleep
With no one there to hear her screams
She's gone beyond where they can't reach
The bell of freedom sets her free
And when I'm weak and I can't run
Must prove to them that I am strong
Can't hide these scars
Can't hide these wounds
What's the point of touching it
So close you almost taste it?
What's the point of reaching for it
When all doors are closing?
And I wish I could feel it
That feeling of belonging
Instead I'm sentenced to solitude
And all doors are closing
I too have fallen helplessly
Spent a thousand nights sleepless
Had every hope of light shattered before me
Preventing me to reach outside
Stopping me from leaving the black
Keeping me locked inside and all I can ask is why?
And when I'm weak and I can't run
Must prove to them that I am strong
Considering what I've been through
Another cut, another wound
What's the point of touching it
So close you could almost taste it?
What's the point of reaching for it
When all you get is more distant from surface?
And what's the point to be strong enough
Gather strength to rise above
To be brave and see it through
When all you get is more distant from surface
I'll prove to them that I am one
Enslaved by the hostile torn
'Cause their demands needs more than so
And when I'm weak and I can't run
Must prove to them that I'm strong
Considering what I've been through
Another cut, another wound
What's the point of touching it
So close you almost taste it?
What's the point of reaching for it
When all doors are closing?
And I wish I could feel it
That feeling of belonging
Instead I'm sentenced to solitude
And all doors are closing
Through endless nights of anguished sleep
With no one there to hear her screams
She's gone beyond where they can't reach
The bell of freedom sets her free
And when I'm weak and I can't run
Must prove to them that I am strong
Can't hide these scars
Can't hide these wounds
What's the point of touching it
So close you almost taste it?
What's the point of reaching for it
When all doors are closing?
And I wish I could feel it
That feeling of belonging
Instead I'm sentenced to solitude
And all doors are closing
I too have fallen helplessly
Spent a thousand nights sleepless
Had every hope of light shattered before me
Preventing me to reach outside
Stopping me from leaving the black
Keeping me locked inside and all I can ask is why?
And when I'm weak and I can't run
Must prove to them that I am strong
Considering what I've been through
Another cut, another wound
What's the point of touching it
So close you could almost taste it?
What's the point of reaching for it
When all you get is more distant from surface?
And what's the point to be strong enough
Gather strength to rise above
To be brave and see it through
When all you get is more distant from surface
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Standing On The Edge Of Summer
Thursday
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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,
No Surprises
Radiohead
Radiohead
Same ideas expressed in Fitter, Happier are expressed in this song. We're told to strive for some sort of ideal life, which includes getting a good job, being kind to everyone, finding a partner, getting married, having a couple kids, living in a quiet neighborhood in a nice big house, etc. But in Fitter, Happier the narrator(?) realizes that it's incredibly robotic to live this life. People are being used by those in power "like a pig in a cage on antibiotics"--being pacified with things like new phones and cool gadgets and houses while being sucked dry. On No Surprises, the narrator is realizing how this life is killing him slowly. In the video, his helmet is slowly filling up with water, drowning him. But he's so complacent with it. This is a good summary of the song. This boring, "perfect" life foisted upon us by some higher powers (not spiritual, but political, economic, etc. politicians and businessmen, perhaps) is not the way to live. But there is seemingly no way out but death. He'd rather die peacefully right now than live in this cage. While our lives are often shielded, we're in our own protective bubbles, or protective helmets like the one Thom wears, if we look a little harder we can see all the corruption, lies, manipulation, etc. that is going on in the world, often run by huge yet nearly invisible organizations, corporations, and 'leaders'. It's a very hopeless song because it reflects real life.
Just A Little Lovin'
Dusty Springfield
Dusty Springfield
I don't think it's necessarily about sex. It's about wanting to start the day with some love and affection. Maybe a warm cuddle. I'm not alone in interpreting it that way! For example:
"'Just a Little Lovin’ is a timeless country song originally recorded by Eddy Arnold in 1954. The song, written by Eddie Miller and Jimmy Campbell, explores the delicate nuances of love and showcases Arnold’s emotive vocals. It delves into the universal theme of love and how even the smallest gesture of affection can have a profound impact on our lives." https://oldtimemusic.com/the-meaning-behind-the-song-just-a-little-lovin-by-eddy-arnold/
Plastic Bag
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Plastic Bag” is a song about searching for an escape from personal problems and hoping to find it in the lively atmosphere of a Saturday night party. Ed Sheeran tells the story of his friend and the myriad of troubles he is going through. Unable to find any solutions, this friend seeks a last resort in a party and the vanity that comes with it.
“I overthink and have trouble sleepin’ / All purpose gone and don’t have a reason / And there’s no doctor to stop this bleedin’ / So I left home and jumped in the deep end,” Ed Sheeran sings in verse one. He continues by adding that this person is feeling the weight of having disappointed his father and doesn’t have any friends to rely on in this difficult moment. In the second verse, Ed sings about the role of grief in his friend’s plight and his dwindling faith in prayer. “Saturday night is givin’ me a reason to rely on the strobe lights / The lifeline of a promise in a shot glass, and I’ll take that / If you’re givin’ out love from a plastic bag,” Ed sings on the chorus, as his friend turns to new vices in hopes of feeling better.