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.
There are plenty of late nights
If you want to stay up for them
You'll just want to find yourself a friend
And tie a couple on in a night spot
Draw pictures of your soul, win the jackpot
For tears in your beer
It's hip to be miserable when you're young and intellectual
In a bit you'll admit you're a misfit
Come on home with me
We'll turn on the TV
About 10 o'clock we'll turn off the light
Not every man was born to stay up late at night
There are plenty of boats to catch
If you notice all the sails in the wind
But you better look hard my friend
In case you catch a ride on the wrong one
In the distance is the one you belong on
Oh the water is wide
It's hip to be miserable when you're young and intellectual
In a bit you'll admit you're a misfit
Come on home with me
We'll sit under a tree
And if you get the itch
I'll supply the scratch
Not every man was born with a boat to catch
It's hip to be miserable when you are young and intellectual
In a bit you'll admit you're a misfit
A misfit
If you want to stay up for them
You'll just want to find yourself a friend
And tie a couple on in a night spot
Draw pictures of your soul, win the jackpot
For tears in your beer
It's hip to be miserable when you're young and intellectual
In a bit you'll admit you're a misfit
Come on home with me
We'll turn on the TV
About 10 o'clock we'll turn off the light
Not every man was born to stay up late at night
There are plenty of boats to catch
If you notice all the sails in the wind
But you better look hard my friend
In case you catch a ride on the wrong one
In the distance is the one you belong on
Oh the water is wide
It's hip to be miserable when you're young and intellectual
In a bit you'll admit you're a misfit
Come on home with me
We'll sit under a tree
And if you get the itch
I'll supply the scratch
Not every man was born with a boat to catch
It's hip to be miserable when you are young and intellectual
In a bit you'll admit you're a misfit
A misfit
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
Cajun Girl
Little Feat
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”
Dreamwalker
Silent Planet
Silent Planet
I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
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.
The ultimate coming of age song - with a cautionary note about acting before thinking!