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.
Winding paths through tables and glass, first flowers bloom.
Now watch the Summer pass so close to you.
Too late to keep the change, too late to pay, no time to stay the same, too young to leave.
“No pass out” sign on the door set me thinking.
Are waitresses paying the price of their winking?
While stars sit at bars and decide what they're drinking.
They stop by to die because it's faster than sinking.
Too late to keep the change, too late to pay, no time to stay the same,
too late to keep the change, too late to pay, no time to stay the same, too young to leave.
Find out that now was the answer to answers that you gave later.
She did the things that we all did before now but who forgave her?
If I could stand to see her crying, I would tell her not to care.
When she learns of all your lying, will she join you there?
Country girl I think you’re pretty, got to make you understand.
Have no lovers in the city, let me be your country man.
Got to make you understand, got to make you understand, country girl...
Now watch the Summer pass so close to you.
Too late to keep the change, too late to pay, no time to stay the same, too young to leave.
“No pass out” sign on the door set me thinking.
Are waitresses paying the price of their winking?
While stars sit at bars and decide what they're drinking.
They stop by to die because it's faster than sinking.
Too late to keep the change, too late to pay, no time to stay the same,
too late to keep the change, too late to pay, no time to stay the same, too young to leave.
Find out that now was the answer to answers that you gave later.
She did the things that we all did before now but who forgave her?
If I could stand to see her crying, I would tell her not to care.
When she learns of all your lying, will she join you there?
Country girl I think you’re pretty, got to make you understand.
Have no lovers in the city, let me be your country man.
Got to make you understand, got to make you understand, country girl...
Lyrics submitted by defective
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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.
Blue
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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.
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“Head > Heels” is a track that aims to capture what it feels like to experience romance that exceeds expectations. Ed Sheeran dedicates his album outro to a lover who has blessed him with a unique experience that he seeks to describe through the song’s nuanced lyrics.
It sounds like the narrator is talking to someone they used to love or care about.
I think the basis of the song is that indecision on the road to adulthood is what kills you, not questioning what you should do and what path you should take. Instead or worrying about the future if you live in the now the future will unravel itself ("Find out that now was the answer to answers that you gave later.")
The recurring theme of the song, "Too late to keep the change, too late to pay, no time to stay the same, too young to leave." is a pretty cool lyric. It's too late to change yourself, too late to pay your dues, but you don't want to be the same anymore, however you can't leave because you're just too young. The waitress is really caught up in a catch 22 and just doesn't know what to do.