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.
From distant star to this here bar
The me, the you, where are we now?
Hurray the blues of everyone
Allison
Keeps a smile around a while
He took no fright and jettisoned
We'll go tonight to hear him tell
"Oh well, Allison"
And when the planet hit the sun
I saw the face of Allison
Allison, Allison, Allison, Allison
The me, the you, where are we now?
Hurray the blues of everyone
Allison
Keeps a smile around a while
He took no fright and jettisoned
We'll go tonight to hear him tell
"Oh well, Allison"
And when the planet hit the sun
I saw the face of Allison
Allison, Allison, Allison, Allison
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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.
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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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Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran tells a story of unsuccessfully trying to feel “Amazing.” This track is about the being weighed down by emotional stress despite valiant attempts to find some positivity in the situation. This track was written by Ed Sheeran from the perspective of his friend. From the track, we see this person fall deeper into the negative thoughts and slide further down the path of mental torment with every lyric.
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.
Yeah, in the music video, Frank Black says, "This is a song about Mose Allison" before the song starts (the video's included in the Pixies' Complete B Sides Album).
Mose Allison is known for writing quirky blues songs about subjects as wide-ranging as . . . well, from distant star to this here bar, I guess.
Two thumbs up!
keeps a smile around awhile
this song is awesome
i've only heard the cover some band did on a tribute album. but i liked it very much.
Finally, Another song with my name in it besides the Elvis Costello one!
I think i remember reading in an interview somewhere that this song is about the Mississippi blues/jazz musician, Mose Allison.
This song could be describing the escape from a planetary crush while thinking about Mose Allison, but it also could be speaking about a solar eclipse. Don't you think?
The beggining sounds like a song from top gun, which is the only part of the song I dont like. But if that part wasnt tin the song, than the song would feel very incomplete and therfore the song wouldnt be as good as it currently is.
Awesome song!
My friend always used to sing the part of the song where it goes 'allison' and that was it. I heard it for the first time today, and I thought it would be slow. Was I wrong or what. Loves it.