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.
Sunken ships rest
Upon the ocean floor
Where I've made my home
To dodge the draft once more
There once was a time
One could flee to the north
But Canada's not what she used to be
Boycott the war
Well she could not afford to
Thanks to the new American queen
Swim with me and we'll escape
All the trouble of the present age
Finally free
The mermaids teach us
How to breath beneath
The line that now divides
Action from apathy
Upon the ocean floor
Where I've made my home
To dodge the draft once more
There once was a time
One could flee to the north
But Canada's not what she used to be
Boycott the war
Well she could not afford to
Thanks to the new American queen
Swim with me and we'll escape
All the trouble of the present age
Finally free
The mermaids teach us
How to breath beneath
The line that now divides
Action from apathy
Lyrics submitted by ScreamingInfidelity
Of Up and Coming Monarchs Lyrics as written by David Shannon Bazan
Lyrics © DOMINO PUBLISHING COMPANY
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
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."
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."
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/
Awesome song... I have no idea what it's about except avoiding some conflict, but it's awesome none-the-less.
i'm not completely sure... but it almost sounds like he is killing himself. i guess that it could be taken in different ways, as can basically any song. "sunken ships rest upon the ocean floor where i've made my home to dodge the draft once more." there's many references to war and "living" on the ocean floor. so i'm thinking perhaps he drowned himself to avoid fighting in the war because he didn't want to flee to canada.
it's the only explanation i could get out of this song. often mr. bazaan leaves me in a quandary with his lyrics :\ if you agree or disagree... post, im or pm me... wanna know what you all think :)
i think in alot of ways this song is about how we can escape politics and alot of what makes the bad come out of us. It used to be one could flee to Canada for protection but it also talks alot about, in metaphor mind you, how the united states has taken over us ( Canada ) with it's power and politics. The line is the border... they are action, we are apathy. There's alot more but you can figure it out.
On first listen it seems that it's a song talking about American's during World War II dodging the draft by fleeing to Canada. But Bazan goes on to talk about how Canada isn't what she used to be because thanks to America they could no longer boycott the war and had to fight as well, thusly the American's would have no where to flee to. I'm not sure what this song is saying on a deeper level, which is curious for a Pedro song, since it's never that hard to find the deeper meaning. I'm puzzled.
i think this song is about just not wanting to be a part of any wars. he doesnt want to be drafted but he cant escape to canada anymore so what can he do? only thing left to do is flee to the water. then he ever so kindly invites us all to go with him to the water where we can be free, free to make our own decisions too. i know im getting the hell out of here if the draft comes. why should we have to go kill someone if we dont want to?!!?!?!?! and what if we dont believe in the cause, because what cause is good enough for war? oh oh i know! none
This song is about alot of things. Not only the war but also America in general, and the direction we are heading as a nation. When I saw David play he would talk alot about his children and how sad it is to raise kids in this country with the current politics and issues going on.
It just seems to be about escape in general. With the the whole America/Canada thing a metaphor.