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.
Large in the margin my drama unfolds behind closed doors
Told on the down low i believe that i'm sold
But really i don't know
Maybe it's better but i can't think so
Maybe it's better to fight
One never ever knows
Believe the rumors that grow like tumors
It's more fun than the truth that we know
Trying too hard to reach a higher plain
Will fuck you up
When you least expect it
You think you're moving closer when suddenly you wrecked it
But all the same the pain gains wisdom
As if you ain't had enough then you're in some
Prison of your own creation mental dilation
Look at what you're facing placing blame in every direction
But in the end it's your own infection
[Chorus]
There's no way to avoid listening
You'll always end up listening
Here's hoping the voices aren't too unkind
Here's hoping the voices are benign
It's easier when you hear it
There's no reason to fear it
It's you
You
You think they'll probably find you
Well then you're probably right
'cause they'll come back to remind you
For eternity
Of when you gave up the fight
Somehow they always will find you
The voices in the night, every night
Keep coming back to remind you
For eternity
Of when you gave up the fight
[Chorus]
Told on the down low i believe that i'm sold
But really i don't know
Maybe it's better but i can't think so
Maybe it's better to fight
One never ever knows
Believe the rumors that grow like tumors
It's more fun than the truth that we know
Trying too hard to reach a higher plain
Will fuck you up
When you least expect it
You think you're moving closer when suddenly you wrecked it
But all the same the pain gains wisdom
As if you ain't had enough then you're in some
Prison of your own creation mental dilation
Look at what you're facing placing blame in every direction
But in the end it's your own infection
[Chorus]
There's no way to avoid listening
You'll always end up listening
Here's hoping the voices aren't too unkind
Here's hoping the voices are benign
It's easier when you hear it
There's no reason to fear it
It's you
You
You think they'll probably find you
Well then you're probably right
'cause they'll come back to remind you
For eternity
Of when you gave up the fight
Somehow they always will find you
The voices in the night, every night
Keep coming back to remind you
For eternity
Of when you gave up the fight
[Chorus]
Lyrics submitted by pen1234567
Large in the Margin Lyrics as written by Nicholas Hexum Chad Sexton
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
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"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."
I Can't Go To Sleep
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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.
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Ed Sheeran sings about missing his former partner and learning important life lessons in the process on “Punchline.” This track tells a story of battling to get rid of emotions for a former lover, whom he now realized might not have loved him the same way. He’s now caught between accepting that fact and learning life lessons from it and going back to beg her for another chance.
I think this one is about doing something you aren't proud of or making a bad decision...and then having it all come back to you. It's talking about how no matter how well you try to cover up your mistakes you'll hear about them again sometime in the future, and people will twist it around so it ends up being something 10 times worse than it was when it all started.
The chorus is about how there are many insecurities created by the mind that unfolds secretly within making you unhappy. He wants you to listen to the truth, spreading rumors is evil and makes you unhappy/paranoid.
Trying too hard to be happy, just let go.
The next big block of lyrics: Watch the moment even if it brings pain and accept it, because this is gaining wisdom and moving forward. There is nobody to blame for your pain except yourself, because you ultimately control it.
next block: Always listen because if you're always speaking/thinking of something to say you only know your point of view, which is not reality.
next block: Never give up the fight to keep growing, learning, loving etc. (Truly Living) or else the voices ( your own ego) will return to make you unhappy.
All of their songs relate to the "direct" experience of reality, (enlightenment) and all can easily be interpreted by that notion in mind. Their songs are not results of drugs, only themselves.
love
good explanation, i was having trouble trying to 'decode' this song.... la-la-large in da margin...luv it!
i believe this song is about rumors going around about you behind your back. It is about whether you should confront it or let it slide.
i read somewhere when Soundsystem came out that Nick said he was suffering from insomnia and that "Large in the Margin" and "Flowing" were both written about it. I think what he meant in this song is about being kept awake at night by your past and experiences coming back to haunt you that you can't ever change and can't get out of your head.
You guys are very close on the song meaning. This song is about the struggles of trying to achieve a quote "higher plane" of consciousness. This song tells of how your thoughts and your thoughts alone (the voices) are responsible for and mirror what you see and experience in your own life. AKA if something bad happens to you, it's your fault and vise versa ("in the end it's your own infection"). Brilliant song.
I agree
Yep.... Definitely.... It's like the buddha said:<br /> <br /> "everything that we are is based on our thoughts"<br /> <br /> This song is about self doubt, and roadblocks that keep us from reaching the higher plane
I had a friend in sixth grade that tried to convince me that this song was about masturbation. I think he was going solely off the line "my drama unfolds behind closed doors." I don't believe it one bit but I thought everyone might like a laugh.
I think this song is about schizophrenia.
First of all, "clout" from the beginning of the song, is defined as “an influence or pull,” in this case, from another entity in the brain. “Drama unfolds behind closed doors” of psychiatrist's offices all the time, told on the "down-low" or secretive grounds between the singer and his doctor. The singer can't think it’s better to accept what the doctor reveals - that someone else in his mind influences him. We don’t usually like to think we’re crazy!
I think jwoostyle has it right about the plane of existence. You have a very true philosophical view. I think it’s painful to try and discover your purpose or beliefs in life, especially when you fail. It would be even more difficult to escape your mind, or successfully try to understand yourself, should this song be about schizophrenia. Some studies have shown that acid (we all know what 311’s music is a product of :D) may bring out schizophrenic qualities in people who were a tad schizo in the first place. Sometimes the drug can bring about “the fear,” which I think this lyric also implies. Almost all the time, it goes away, but with few people, certain brain chemistries are strongly revealed.
The next stanzas entertain the idea that he must listen to these voices, taking them as they are. He goes on to say that if there’s another being in there with you, he’ll find you, constantly reminding you of his existence. “Giving up the fight” I think corresponds to allowing yourself to give up reality, as it exists for other people, and give in to the fact that you are schizo! It seems as though towards the end of the song, our friend has definitely given into the ailment, hoping now that the voices aren’t “too unkind.” There really is no reason to fear them, because these voices are a product of you.
Agree? Disagree? I didn’t give this site my real email, so respond here if you’d like, and I’ll check back.
Not a bad interpretation, I think this is sort of a sub meaning of the general philosophical principle<br /> <br /> That is, getting over self doubt
This song reminds me of sticking something out that you don't really want to do, but you know that you should. The voices that come back to remind you for eternity, are the ones in your head that will come back to remind you that you gave up. theres no way to avoid listening to yourself and you will have to live with your decision with the rest of your life.
I guess I could see where the song could be about schizophrenia, but i would really perfer that it wasnt, i think its a creepy idea for a song.
"We'll fuck you UP! When you least expect it" Gahhh , I love this song. Its so good.