I'm not completely sure on the meaning, but I agree with Pozzi. I think she's had some bad some bad experiences and she's just saying, "Oh, well. Life goes on." She has an optimistic view of the world.
"I saw somebody who reminded me of you before you got afraid; I wish that you could've stayed that way."
She maybe saw a person who reminded her of a friend - they had some fearless, daredevil quality that her friend seemed to have lost (after possibly a tragic occurrence).
"I saw a little girl, I stopped and smiled at her; she screamed and ran away; it happens to me more and more these days."
I'm not too sure what that's about. Maybe when she stops to be polite and smile at a child, they are scared of her? I'm not sure, but that's the image I get.
"I saw a photograph: a woman in a bath of hundred dollar bills; if the cold doesn't kill her, money will."
I think the "cold" she's referring to is the stereotypical snobbish cold attitude wealthy people are depict of having. If her stuck-up personality doesn't kill her, the money eventually will (because money is the root of all evil).
My favorite line,
"I read a magazine that said by seventeen your life was at an end; I'm dead and I'm perfectly content."
I think she's referring to her own age. She's over the age of seventeen, so she's "dead" (according to the magazine) but she's content with her life being "at an end".
And the chorus, she's wondering if the music she (as well as others) makes means anything to their audience. The last line, "Tonight they do" can be her being optimistic.
At the same time, I see it as a foreshadowing. Like, usually the songs won't mean much to anyone, but "tonight" someone will have something terrible happen and they will take comfort in her music.
That's just my take on it. Beautiful song that stays stuck in your head.
I'm not completely sure on the meaning, but I agree with Pozzi. I think she's had some bad some bad experiences and she's just saying, "Oh, well. Life goes on." She has an optimistic view of the world.
"I saw somebody who reminded me of you before you got afraid; I wish that you could've stayed that way." She maybe saw a person who reminded her of a friend - they had some fearless, daredevil quality that her friend seemed to have lost (after possibly a tragic occurrence).
"I saw a little girl, I stopped and smiled at her; she screamed and ran away; it happens to me more and more these days." I'm not too sure what that's about. Maybe when she stops to be polite and smile at a child, they are scared of her? I'm not sure, but that's the image I get.
"I saw a photograph: a woman in a bath of hundred dollar bills; if the cold doesn't kill her, money will." I think the "cold" she's referring to is the stereotypical snobbish cold attitude wealthy people are depict of having. If her stuck-up personality doesn't kill her, the money eventually will (because money is the root of all evil).
My favorite line, "I read a magazine that said by seventeen your life was at an end; I'm dead and I'm perfectly content." I think she's referring to her own age. She's over the age of seventeen, so she's "dead" (according to the magazine) but she's content with her life being "at an end".
And the chorus, she's wondering if the music she (as well as others) makes means anything to their audience. The last line, "Tonight they do" can be her being optimistic. At the same time, I see it as a foreshadowing. Like, usually the songs won't mean much to anyone, but "tonight" someone will have something terrible happen and they will take comfort in her music.
That's just my take on it. Beautiful song that stays stuck in your head.