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.
There's no going back to that
I'm so numb, can't even react
Didn't say it's not okay
But we aren't dealing the same way
I ain't tellin' you a secret
I ain't tellin' you goodbye
It's the last thing on my mind
Still you won't let things unwind
Spinning tight around your head
Can't you hear a word I've said?
I ain't tellin' you a secret
I ain't tellin' you goodbye
When you call it's just not fair
It's the last thing you should share
I can't deal, I'll let you know
Still I wish you'd let it go
I ain't tellin' you a secret
I ain't tellin' you goodbye
I'm tellin' you for one last time
It's not just you, the problem's mine to hide
I waited as long as I could
If you need it, sure I would, that's fine
Well, there's no goin' back to that
I'm so numb can't even react
Didn't say it's not okay
But we aren't dealin' the same way
I ain't tellin' you a secret
I ain't tellin' you goodbye
Goodbye, goodbye, goodbye
I'm tellin' you for one last time
It's not just you, the problem's mine to hide
I waited as long as I could
If you need it, sure I would, that's fine
I'm takin' away a lot of stuff
I'm telling you it's rough but not goodbye
I'm so numb, can't even react
Didn't say it's not okay
But we aren't dealing the same way
I ain't tellin' you a secret
I ain't tellin' you goodbye
It's the last thing on my mind
Still you won't let things unwind
Spinning tight around your head
Can't you hear a word I've said?
I ain't tellin' you a secret
I ain't tellin' you goodbye
When you call it's just not fair
It's the last thing you should share
I can't deal, I'll let you know
Still I wish you'd let it go
I ain't tellin' you a secret
I ain't tellin' you goodbye
I'm tellin' you for one last time
It's not just you, the problem's mine to hide
I waited as long as I could
If you need it, sure I would, that's fine
Well, there's no goin' back to that
I'm so numb can't even react
Didn't say it's not okay
But we aren't dealin' the same way
I ain't tellin' you a secret
I ain't tellin' you goodbye
Goodbye, goodbye, goodbye
I'm tellin' you for one last time
It's not just you, the problem's mine to hide
I waited as long as I could
If you need it, sure I would, that's fine
I'm takin' away a lot of stuff
I'm telling you it's rough but not goodbye
Lyrics submitted by ShiverForMe
Start Choppin' Lyrics as written by Joseph Mascis
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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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.
American Town
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Plastic Bag
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“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.
haha this is the best page so far. so many emo haters. hi- five! haha but this song is great. very ...relaxing to me.
i havnt throughly read the lyircs. but i do enjoy it lots.