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.
All I want is something good
It gets harder every time
She is leaving here tonight
Take a breath
Take your time
Spread your wings and rise
Make a mark upon the wall
Paint your face and pass the time
Close your eyes and she ascends
Hold your breath and ease your mind
Forty Thousand times
Time fades into the night
They descend and then they climb
Feathers falling through the night
Have you seen Ohio rise?
It has been four days and nights
All I want is something fine
It gets harder every time
She is sleeping far away
Take a breath
Take your time
Spread your wings and rise
Rise into the black Ohio skies
It gets harder every time
She is leaving here tonight
Take a breath
Take your time
Spread your wings and rise
Make a mark upon the wall
Paint your face and pass the time
Close your eyes and she ascends
Hold your breath and ease your mind
Forty Thousand times
Time fades into the night
They descend and then they climb
Feathers falling through the night
Have you seen Ohio rise?
It has been four days and nights
All I want is something fine
It gets harder every time
She is sleeping far away
Take a breath
Take your time
Spread your wings and rise
Rise into the black Ohio skies
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Standing On The Edge Of Summer
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"Fast car" is kind of a continuation of Bruce Springsteen's "Born to Run." It has all the clawing your way to a better life, but in this case the protagonist never makes it with her love; in fact she is dragged back down by him.
There is still an amazing amount of hope and will in the lyrics; and the lyrics themselve rank and easy five. If only music was stronger it would be one of those great radio songs that you hear once a week 20 years after it was released. The imagery is almost tear-jerking ("City lights lay out before us", "Speeds so fast felt like I was drunk"), and the idea of starting from nothing and just driving and working and denigrating yourself for a chance at being just above poverty, then losing in the end is just painful and inspiring at the same time.
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,
When We Were Young
Blink-182
Blink-182
This is a sequel to 2001's "Reckless Abandon", and features the band looking back on their clumsy youth fondly.
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/
I think this is an underestimated song. This is a really great limbo-love songs. Where you're in love but you can't show it, either because of distance (which is the case here) or some other reason. It's been four days and nights since he's seen this girl or heard from this girl.
I'm thinking it's about Neil Armstrong's first mission on Gemini 8. It was four days long, and his homestate is Ohio. Maybe it's me trying to make fit, but their next album was Recovering the Satellites, so he does show an interest in space.
It's a great song which I feel like is about a long-distance relationship, hence the sleeping so far away. I'm from Ohio though and I'm wondering about the reference there....
only one comment? :O this song is gorgeous.
i grew up listening to this band. and so many of there songs touch me and i love all of them. but this is really gorgeous and beautiful. its not my total and complete favorite, but i love it. i mean COME ON! "All I want is something good It gets harder every time"
Aww this song reminds me of the summer; driving around in my (ex)boyfriends car, having a laugh. Counting Crows are an amazing band through and through.
i love this song. its just like meeting someone and feeling strongly for them even though you don't know them well and you can't be with them yet for whatever reason.
This song is about Mrs Potter. Along with Kid things Colorblind and Mrs Potters Lullaby
First of all, he sings a lot about crossing the country in a lot of songs. Have you seen Ohio Rise strikes me...because when i drove back from Cali to NY , I hit Ohio earllyyy in the a.m. and it was the fall and the fog was lifting (ohio rise) and it was Beautiful..I wonder if that's what he is talking about..this song definetly hits a cord with me.four days is what it should take to get from one coast to the other, that's if u do it right (stop and sight see and sleep) unlike me..
thats true--the ohio rise is in the miami(ohio) valley circa cincinatti. it is a valley and prone to fall fog due to cold clear nights. very astute sir