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.
When all the things that you've been thinking
Has you so confused and so unglued
Your head is spinning
Well we've all felt the same inside
I've been on that ledge countless times
And I know what that feels like
You've on your own can't make it through this world all alone
Is this thing on at all?
When all your friends don't have the answers
And you're so convinced that inch by inch
They've turned to strangers
We've all seen the different sides
No one hears even though you've talked all night
And I know what you feel like
Can we really measure if we're any better
Than that skyline that goes on and on forever on and on?
Has you so confused and so unglued
Your head is spinning
Well we've all felt the same inside
I've been on that ledge countless times
And I know what that feels like
You've on your own can't make it through this world all alone
Is this thing on at all?
When all your friends don't have the answers
And you're so convinced that inch by inch
They've turned to strangers
We've all seen the different sides
No one hears even though you've talked all night
And I know what you feel like
Can we really measure if we're any better
Than that skyline that goes on and on forever on and on?
Lyrics submitted by sugarsweete122
Is This Thing On? Lyrics as written by
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
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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,
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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.
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American Town
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Ed Sheeran shares a short story of reconnecting with an old flame on “American Town.” The track is about a holiday Ed Sheeran spends with his countrywoman who resides in America. The two are back together after a long period apart, and get around to enjoying a bunch of fun activities while rekindling the flames of their romance.
this song is awesome. defs one of less than jakes best! very powerful indeed "I've been on that ledge countless times and I know what that feels like"
most people have been there but theres better ways 2 overcome. :)