I think this is about a parent and child. It seems too personal to be just some person seen dying. (e.g. "I remember how you held the goldfish") Mentions of how the person is young and strong and the memory of the goldfish at the fair would denote a parent/child relationship. And further, it's these strange things you think about when someone you love is in danger/dying. You remember the stupid things. The things that didn't seem important at the time, but define that person to you...and will be missed if/when they're gone. This song is defiant cry against death not taking away what you hold dear. Don't leave us! You don't get out that easy...
I've listened to this song literally hundreds of times and never really thought about its meaning - and then this morning the penny dropped. I have to say that I agree with you: I think this is a deeply personal song about the loss of a family member, most probably a child. The reference to 'bright eyes', a 'strong heart', and the 'bright lights of the fair' are all synonymous with youth. So too is the goldfish reference.
There are definitely elements of PG's 'Red Rain' in this song, especially with the anthemic chorus, and the mood is similarly sombre, but...
I've listened to this song literally hundreds of times and never really thought about its meaning - and then this morning the penny dropped. I have to say that I agree with you: I think this is a deeply personal song about the loss of a family member, most probably a child. The reference to 'bright eyes', a 'strong heart', and the 'bright lights of the fair' are all synonymous with youth. So too is the goldfish reference.
There are definitely elements of PG's 'Red Rain' in this song, especially with the anthemic chorus, and the mood is similarly sombre, but with 'No Way Out' we are left with a feeling of residual hopelessness conveyed by the repetition of 'don't leave'. It's as stunning song.
The memory of the goldfish in a plastic bag also ties into the idea of life's fragility ("it slipped and fell"), and demonstrates a similar tenacity not to give up hope ("we looked everywhere").
The memory of the goldfish in a plastic bag also ties into the idea of life's fragility ("it slipped and fell"), and demonstrates a similar tenacity not to give up hope ("we looked everywhere").
I think this is about a parent and child. It seems too personal to be just some person seen dying. (e.g. "I remember how you held the goldfish") Mentions of how the person is young and strong and the memory of the goldfish at the fair would denote a parent/child relationship. And further, it's these strange things you think about when someone you love is in danger/dying. You remember the stupid things. The things that didn't seem important at the time, but define that person to you...and will be missed if/when they're gone. This song is defiant cry against death not taking away what you hold dear. Don't leave us! You don't get out that easy...
I've listened to this song literally hundreds of times and never really thought about its meaning - and then this morning the penny dropped. I have to say that I agree with you: I think this is a deeply personal song about the loss of a family member, most probably a child. The reference to 'bright eyes', a 'strong heart', and the 'bright lights of the fair' are all synonymous with youth. So too is the goldfish reference. There are definitely elements of PG's 'Red Rain' in this song, especially with the anthemic chorus, and the mood is similarly sombre, but...
I've listened to this song literally hundreds of times and never really thought about its meaning - and then this morning the penny dropped. I have to say that I agree with you: I think this is a deeply personal song about the loss of a family member, most probably a child. The reference to 'bright eyes', a 'strong heart', and the 'bright lights of the fair' are all synonymous with youth. So too is the goldfish reference. There are definitely elements of PG's 'Red Rain' in this song, especially with the anthemic chorus, and the mood is similarly sombre, but with 'No Way Out' we are left with a feeling of residual hopelessness conveyed by the repetition of 'don't leave'. It's as stunning song.
The memory of the goldfish in a plastic bag also ties into the idea of life's fragility ("it slipped and fell"), and demonstrates a similar tenacity not to give up hope ("we looked everywhere").
The memory of the goldfish in a plastic bag also ties into the idea of life's fragility ("it slipped and fell"), and demonstrates a similar tenacity not to give up hope ("we looked everywhere").