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.
Today, everything was fine, fine, fine
Until 'round about, quarter to nine
Suddenly found myself in a bind, a bind
Was it something I said?
Something I read and manifested that's getting you down
Don't you dare come to bed with that ambiguous look in your eye
I'd sooner sleep by an open fire and wake up fried
Say what you will
Say what you mean
No, you could never offend
Your dirty words come out clean, clean
Tomorrow, what price will I pay?
Could I make it all up to you by serving coffee for two in bed?
Would you then give me the time of day?
I need a map of your head translated into English
So I can learn not to make you frown
You'd feel better if you'd vent
Put your frustrations into four letter words
And let them out on mine
The most weathered ears in town
So say what you will
Say what you mean
No, you could never offend
Your dirty words come out clean
Clean, clean
Clean, clean
Clean, clean
Say what you will
Say what you mean
No, you could never offend
Your dirty words come out clean
Say what you will
Say what you mean
No, you could never offend
Your dirty words come out clean, clean
Until 'round about, quarter to nine
Suddenly found myself in a bind, a bind
Was it something I said?
Something I read and manifested that's getting you down
Don't you dare come to bed with that ambiguous look in your eye
I'd sooner sleep by an open fire and wake up fried
Say what you will
Say what you mean
No, you could never offend
Your dirty words come out clean, clean
Tomorrow, what price will I pay?
Could I make it all up to you by serving coffee for two in bed?
Would you then give me the time of day?
I need a map of your head translated into English
So I can learn not to make you frown
You'd feel better if you'd vent
Put your frustrations into four letter words
And let them out on mine
The most weathered ears in town
So say what you will
Say what you mean
No, you could never offend
Your dirty words come out clean
Clean, clean
Clean, clean
Clean, clean
Say what you will
Say what you mean
No, you could never offend
Your dirty words come out clean
Say what you will
Say what you mean
No, you could never offend
Your dirty words come out clean, clean
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@[Diderik:33655] "Your a holiday!" Was a popular term used in the 50s/60s to compliment someone on their all around. For example, not only are they beautiful, but they are fun and kind too ... just an all around "holiday".
I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
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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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This is a sequel to 2001's "Reckless Abandon", and features the band looking back on their clumsy youth fondly.
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“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.
i love this song, just the way he says clean gives me chills, and i love it..and itdoes have personal meaning, and there is this person that i know, and whatever he says, it never seems to hurt...its clean...and i agree we all live thorugh music, definatly, i know that i do