My interpretation of the song is that the narrator is at a point in his life where he's become numb and wants to feel something again. He is ready to settle down "if things come alive." He may have issues with substance abuse or violence, but is honest and wants to change for the better.
I'll lay down my glasses (he will stop looking at other women)
I'll lay down in houses (he is ready to settle down)
if things come alive.
I'll subtract pain by ounces,
Yeah, I will start painting houses,
if things come alive
I promise to commit no acts of violence,
Be it physical or otherwise,
If things come alive (he will be the best he can for her)
I'll say it now
I'll say it now
I'll say it now
Oh, I'll say it now
Cuz I want it now (he is tired of not feeling alive or feeling loved and wants it NOW)
When personality is scarred tissue,
We travel South with disuse
I'm subtle like a lion's cage
Such a cautious display (talking about his personality/demeanor)
Remember take hold of your time here
Give some meanings to the means
To your end.
Not even jail. (he has fallen into a routine and wants to change his life)
We marshal in the days of longing,
We tremble like anyone's children,
And wink towards the fire. (subtlety)
I'm erring on the side of caution,
Betraying no other symptom,
But girl, you shake it right. (he tries to keep it to himself but wants her badly)
I will bounce you on the lap of silence,
We will free up to the beats of science,
And girl, you shake it right (my favorite line!)
I'll say it now
Oh, but hold it still, darling, your hair so pretty (stay in this moment)
Can't you feel the warmth of my sincerity?
You make motion when you cry
You're making people's lives feel less private.
Had to take time away (she takes away his loneliness but he still needs time to himself)
You make motion when you cry (she doesn't understand his behavior)
we all hold hands,
can't we all hold hands,
When we make new plans? (self-explanatory)
I pretend like no one else
To try and control myself.
I'm subtle like a lion's cage.
Such a cautious display. (he keeps his emotions under control)
Remember take hold of your time here,
Give some meanings to the means
To your end
Not even jail
My interpretation of the song is that the narrator is at a point in his life where he's become numb and wants to feel something again. He is ready to settle down "if things come alive." He may have issues with substance abuse or violence, but is honest and wants to change for the better.
I'll lay down my glasses (he will stop looking at other women) I'll lay down in houses (he is ready to settle down) if things come alive.
I'll subtract pain by ounces, Yeah, I will start painting houses, if things come alive
I promise to commit no acts of violence, Be it physical or otherwise, If things come alive (he will be the best he can for her)
I'll say it now I'll say it now I'll say it now Oh, I'll say it now Cuz I want it now (he is tired of not feeling alive or feeling loved and wants it NOW)
When personality is scarred tissue, We travel South with disuse I'm subtle like a lion's cage Such a cautious display (talking about his personality/demeanor)
Remember take hold of your time here Give some meanings to the means To your end. Not even jail. (he has fallen into a routine and wants to change his life)
We marshal in the days of longing, We tremble like anyone's children, And wink towards the fire. (subtlety)
I'm erring on the side of caution, Betraying no other symptom, But girl, you shake it right. (he tries to keep it to himself but wants her badly)
I will bounce you on the lap of silence, We will free up to the beats of science, And girl, you shake it right (my favorite line!)
I'll say it now
Oh, but hold it still, darling, your hair so pretty (stay in this moment) Can't you feel the warmth of my sincerity? You make motion when you cry
You're making people's lives feel less private. Had to take time away (she takes away his loneliness but he still needs time to himself) You make motion when you cry (she doesn't understand his behavior)
we all hold hands, can't we all hold hands, When we make new plans? (self-explanatory)
I pretend like no one else To try and control myself. I'm subtle like a lion's cage. Such a cautious display. (he keeps his emotions under control)
Remember take hold of your time here, Give some meanings to the means To your end Not even jail