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.
1. I’ll never be your Maggie May
the one you loved and left behind
the face you see in light of day
and then you cast away
that isn't me in that bed you'll find
2. I'd rather take myself away
be like those ladies in Japan
rather paint myself a face
conjure up some grace
or be the eyes behind a fan
And so you go
no girl could say no
to you
3. there's the way we may appear
but that will change from day to night
would you ever see within?
underneath the skin?
could I believe you had that sight?
4. instrumental
And so you go
no girl could say no
to you
5. I'll never be your Maggie May
the one you loved and then forgot
I'll love you first and let you go
because it must be so
and you'll forgive or you will not
6. and so a woman leaves a man
and so a world turns on it's end
so I'll see your face in dreams
where nothing's what it seems
you still appear some kind of friend
And so you go
no girl could say no
to you
the one you loved and left behind
the face you see in light of day
and then you cast away
that isn't me in that bed you'll find
2. I'd rather take myself away
be like those ladies in Japan
rather paint myself a face
conjure up some grace
or be the eyes behind a fan
And so you go
no girl could say no
to you
3. there's the way we may appear
but that will change from day to night
would you ever see within?
underneath the skin?
could I believe you had that sight?
4. instrumental
And so you go
no girl could say no
to you
5. I'll never be your Maggie May
the one you loved and then forgot
I'll love you first and let you go
because it must be so
and you'll forgive or you will not
6. and so a woman leaves a man
and so a world turns on it's end
so I'll see your face in dreams
where nothing's what it seems
you still appear some kind of friend
And so you go
no girl could say no
to you
Lyrics submitted by iconnu
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Dreamwalker
Silent Planet
Silent Planet
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.
Somewhere Only We Know
Keane
Keane
Per the FAQ on Keane's website, Keane's drummer Richard Hughes, stated the following:
"We've been asked whether "Somewhere Only We Know" is about a specific place, and Tim has been saying that, for him, or us as individuals, it might be about a geographical space, or a feeling; it can mean something individual to each person, and they can interpret it to a memory of theirs... It's perhaps more of a theme rather than a specific message... Feelings that may be universal, without necessarily being totally specific to us, or a place, or a time..."
With the nostalgic sentiment and the overall tone of the song, I think Keane is attempting to express a Portuguese term known as 'saudade', which does not have a direct English translation but roughly means "that which we remember because it is gone."
Zombie
Cranberries, The
Cranberries, The
"Zombie" is about the ethno-political conflict in Ireland. This is obvious if you know anything of the singer (Dolores O'Riordan)'s Irish heritage and understood the "1916" Easter Rising reference.
"Another head hangs lowly
Child is slowly taken
And the violence caused such silence
Who are we mistaken
-
Another mother's breaking
Heart is taking over"
Laments the Warrington bomb attacks in which two children were fatally injured on March 23rd, 1993. Twelve year old Tim Parry was taken off life support with permission from his mother after five days in the hospital, virtually braindead.
"But you see it's not me
It's not my family"
References how people who are not directly involved with the violence feel about it. They are "zombies" without sympathy who refuse to take action while others suffer.
Yet another song re a guy from Liverpool Suzanne met whilst in summer camp. the original song "Maggie May" is an old Liverpool sea shanty about a prostitute who robbed a sailor. it is at least 150 years old, and is one of Liverpool's Anthems. So possibly was used as a term of endearment towards Miss Vega. The Other two songs in this trilogy of a Lost Scouse (Liverpudlian) Lover are: "In Liverpool" and "Gipsy", and all song appear on the 2003 Retrospective album.
She sees him for what he is - just a guy who wants an attractive women to sleep with but has no intentions for a serious relationship.
The second part about ladies in Japan seems like she is saying that she doesn't want to open herself to this guy because he'll make a fool of her. Put on a mask to protect yourself and keep her dignity from an exploitative man.
She seems somewhat tempted by this guy. But then she says Would you ever see within? Underneath the skin? Could I believe you had that sight? She thinks he is just looking at her looks and body but doesn't see her person.
When I hear this song, I wonder if she is poking fun at Rod Stewart's song Maggie Mae where he portrays Maggie as an older woman who is taking advantage of the younger mail narrator and keeping him from getting on with his life. In Vega's song, she's not going to wait around for that treatment.
@jelaplan <br /> Tonight at her show in Haifa (Israel), she explicitly said that the song was written as response to Rod Stewart's Maggie May
Great track. Check out also Dar Williams: 'I Won't Be Your Yoko Ono'!
I reckon she's saying she'll never live up to his idealised woman, perhaps a past lover he'll never get over... She will love him and leave him because she can never have him fully, as she will never be the woman he truly wants/had.