Here's another song in C
When I play piano, it's my key
If I was playing my guitar
I'd probably be in G, the chances are

But here's another song in C
With my favorite protagonist: me
Of my little world, our talent show
I sing all about it so you'll know

When the people in it break my heart
Then my little world can fall apart
And there's not a thing I can do
Except to sing in C to you

Oh, there used to be a family
Brothers, sisters, father, mother and me
We were living in a little home
We were fending off the great unknown

But the great unknown, it got inside
And what had been home, it did divide
In the end, the father had to leave
When he did, the mother had to grief

That's the time real troubles start
It's when a world can fall apart
And there's not a thing I can do
Except to sing in C to you

I grew up and had a family
And it broke apart so easily
All that started 30 years ago
Why it's never ended, I don't know

I could blame it on the great unknown
Or as a kid, when I was told and shown
But I blame myself, and I blame her
The cruel and foolish people that we were

And the children that we had are grown
They're out fending off their great unknown
And I've noticed, they're a bit like me
With a tendency to sing in C

So by now, it's clear to hear and know
I don't play a lot of piano
But sometimes a fella has to sit
Just to sing about the heavy shit

And the great unknown's a hurricane
With howling winds and floods, driving rain
You might make it through, but you don't know
If right behind it is a tornado

And if families didn't break apart
I suppose that they don't need for art
Oh, but you and I know they do
So I sing in C to you


Lyrics submitted by Mellow_Harsher

In C song meanings
Add Your Thoughts

1 Comment

sort form View by:
  • 0
    General Comment

    One of the greatest heartbreak songs of all time -- spare and naked autobiography is rarely done so affectingly.

    CompressedAireon November 17, 2020   Link

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

Album art
Standing On The Edge Of Summer
Thursday
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.
Album art
Mental Istid
Ebba Grön
This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
Album art
Cajun Girl
Little Feat
Overall about difficult moments of disappointment and vulnerability. Having hope and longing, while remaining optimistic for the future. Encourages the belief that with each new morning there is a chance for things to improve. The chorus offers a glimmer of optimism and a chance at a resolution and redemption in the future. Captures the rollercoaster of emotions of feeling lost while loving someone who is not there for you, feeling let down and abandoned while waiting for a lover. Lost with no direction, "Now I'm up in the air with the rain in my hair, Nowhere to go, I can go anywhere" The bridge shows signs of longing and a plea for companionship. The Lyrics express a desire for authentic connection and the importance of Loving someone just as they are. "Just in passing, I'm not asking. That you be anyone but you”
Album art
Gentle Hour
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,
Album art
I Can't Go To Sleep
Wu-Tang Clan
This song is written as the perspective of the boys in the street, as a whole, and what path they are going to choose as they get older and grow into men. (This is why the music video takes place in an orphanage.) The seen, and unseen collective suffering is imbedded in the boys’ mind, consciously or subconsciously, and is haunting them. Which path will the boys choose? Issac Hayes is the voice of reason, maybe God, the angel on his shoulder, or the voice of his forefathers from beyond the grave who can see the big picture and are pleading with the boys not to continue the violence and pattern of killing their brothers, but to rise above. The most beautiful song and has so many levels. Racism towards African Americans in America would not exist if everyone sat down and listened to this song and understood the history behind the words. The power, fear, pleading in RZA and Ghostface voices are genuine and powerful. Issac Hayes’ strong voice makes the perfect strong father figure, who is possibly from beyond the grave.