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.
The kitchen is cold
But the coffee is warm
And the suns coming up
The day has just begun
And your already bored
Bored of cheering me up
Bored of calming me down
Bored of drying my eyes
But there once was a time
When you were the one
You were the blue of the sky
You came after the storm
You were the switch on the wall
In the dark of the hall
I'm still fumbling for
'Cause I'm lost in the black
I don't know where I am
And arms stretched out in front
And I'm calling your name
Just as loud as I can
And I know there's words that we will never speak
And the questions can't be answered easily
But I wanted to be easy so
Nod your head if the plans have changed
Shake it, love, if they stayed the same
Smile at me and I will stay
Start to cry and I'll go away
Just please don't leave me guessing
So you made me come
Then you sent me away
Like a messenger bird
So, I circled the earth
Blown away in the wind
But I always returned
With some new little song
Some sad story to tell
Of a brief love affair
With a girl I compared to you and she failed
You said you don't want me to beg
Then you said get down on your knees
'Cause you knew that I would
If I do any good
Satisfying your needs
And I know all about those things we cannot speak
And just so you know, well, they don't bother me
So you don't have to be worried
Just nod your head if the plans have changed
Shake it, love, if they stayed the same
Smile at me and I will stay
Start to cry and I'll go away
Just please don't keep me waiting
Oh, just nod your head if your mind's been changed
Shake it, love, if some hope remains
Just say the word and of course I'll stay
Roll your eyes and I'll go away
Just please don't leave me guessing
Just please don't keep me waiting
But the coffee is warm
And the suns coming up
The day has just begun
And your already bored
Bored of cheering me up
Bored of calming me down
Bored of drying my eyes
But there once was a time
When you were the one
You were the blue of the sky
You came after the storm
You were the switch on the wall
In the dark of the hall
I'm still fumbling for
'Cause I'm lost in the black
I don't know where I am
And arms stretched out in front
And I'm calling your name
Just as loud as I can
And I know there's words that we will never speak
And the questions can't be answered easily
But I wanted to be easy so
Nod your head if the plans have changed
Shake it, love, if they stayed the same
Smile at me and I will stay
Start to cry and I'll go away
Just please don't leave me guessing
So you made me come
Then you sent me away
Like a messenger bird
So, I circled the earth
Blown away in the wind
But I always returned
With some new little song
Some sad story to tell
Of a brief love affair
With a girl I compared to you and she failed
You said you don't want me to beg
Then you said get down on your knees
'Cause you knew that I would
If I do any good
Satisfying your needs
And I know all about those things we cannot speak
And just so you know, well, they don't bother me
So you don't have to be worried
Just nod your head if the plans have changed
Shake it, love, if they stayed the same
Smile at me and I will stay
Start to cry and I'll go away
Just please don't keep me waiting
Oh, just nod your head if your mind's been changed
Shake it, love, if some hope remains
Just say the word and of course I'll stay
Roll your eyes and I'll go away
Just please don't leave me guessing
Just please don't keep me waiting
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okay all of you people who are putting down bright eyes don't know your shit obviously. conor oberst is a genius. i would love to see you guys write music half as good. his lyrics are beautiful cause he is a gifted poet and i commend him. and i think his voice rocks!! his shivering voice is unique. every band i hear sounds exactly the same.. and for him to write all this music on his own, i think that says a lot. i think songmeanings should remove this song off the list, not because there is anything bad about this song - in fact it is wonderful - but shitty people don't even deserve to hear him because he is way too good for people who listen to pink and avril lavigne.. negatyve you rock.. i agree with everything you say
Wow. How does one apply for the 'people who understand Conor Oberst lyrics club' ? I've been listening to Bright Eyes (which clearly entails Conor Oberst) for some years now. Sometimes I treat it as poetry, sometimes I just listen and enjoy, or feel with him as he despairs, rejoices or bleeds. Despite the amount of personal time and thought I've put into listening to his music, I still wish everyone I know could also listen and appreciate it too, at least have the opportunity to. Just because you listen to Bright Eyes and Conor and try to understand lyrics, doesn't mean you have more of a right to listen. I know the music must mean a lot to you, which is great, but you viewing the music in your way doesn't mean you should be pretentious about it, especially not Bright Eyes music. But hey, what do I know, you clearly '''''''''''know your shit'''''''.