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.
Fumbling his confidence
And wondering why the world has passed him by
Hoping that he's bent for more than arguments,
And failed attempts to fly, fly
We were meant to live for so much more
Have we lost ourselves?
Somewhere we live inside
Somewhere we live inside
We were meant to live for so much more
Have we lost ourselves?
Somewhere we live inside
Dreaming about Providence
And whether mice or men have second tries
Maybe we've been livin' with our eyes half open
Maybe we're bent and broken, broken
We were meant to live for so much more
Have we lost ourselves?
Somewhere we live inside
Somewhere we live inside
We were meant to live for so much more
Have we lost ourselves?
Somewhere we live inside
We want more than this world's got to offer
We want more than this world's got to offer
We want more than the wars of our fathers
And everything inside screams for second life
We were meant to live for so much more
Have we lost ourselves?
We were meant to live for so much more
Have we lost ourselves?
We were meant to live for so much more
Have we lost ourselves?
We were meant to live
We were meant to live
And wondering why the world has passed him by
Hoping that he's bent for more than arguments,
And failed attempts to fly, fly
We were meant to live for so much more
Have we lost ourselves?
Somewhere we live inside
Somewhere we live inside
We were meant to live for so much more
Have we lost ourselves?
Somewhere we live inside
Dreaming about Providence
And whether mice or men have second tries
Maybe we've been livin' with our eyes half open
Maybe we're bent and broken, broken
We were meant to live for so much more
Have we lost ourselves?
Somewhere we live inside
Somewhere we live inside
We were meant to live for so much more
Have we lost ourselves?
Somewhere we live inside
We want more than this world's got to offer
We want more than this world's got to offer
We want more than the wars of our fathers
And everything inside screams for second life
We were meant to live for so much more
Have we lost ourselves?
We were meant to live for so much more
Have we lost ourselves?
We were meant to live for so much more
Have we lost ourselves?
We were meant to live
We were meant to live
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Standing On The Edge Of Summer
Thursday
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Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
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"Fast car" is kind of a continuation of Bruce Springsteen's "Born to Run." It has all the clawing your way to a better life, but in this case the protagonist never makes it with her love; in fact she is dragged back down by him.
There is still an amazing amount of hope and will in the lyrics; and the lyrics themselve rank and easy five. If only music was stronger it would be one of those great radio songs that you hear once a week 20 years after it was released. The imagery is almost tear-jerking ("City lights lay out before us", "Speeds so fast felt like I was drunk"), and the idea of starting from nothing and just driving and working and denigrating yourself for a chance at being just above poverty, then losing in the end is just painful and inspiring at the same time.
Holiday
Bee Gees
Bee Gees
@[Diderik:33655] "Your a holiday!" Was a popular term used in the 50s/60s to compliment someone on their all around. For example, not only are they beautiful, but they are fun and kind too ... just an all around "holiday".
I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
Mountain Song
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction vocalist Perry Farrell gives Adam Reader some heartfelt insight into Jane’s Addiction's hard rock manifesto "Mountain Song", which was the second single from their revolutionary album Nothing's Shocking. Mountain song was first recorded in 1986 and appeared on the soundtrack to the film Dudes starring Jon Cryer. The version on Nothing's Shocking was re-recorded in 1988.
"'Mountain Song' was actually about... I hate to say it but... drugs. Climbing this mountain and getting as high as you can, and then coming down that mountain," reveals Farrell. "What it feels to descend from the mountain top... not easy at all. The ascension is tough but exhilarating. Getting down is... it's a real bummer. Drugs is not for everybody obviously. For me, I wanted to experience the heights, and the lows come along with it."
"There's a part - 'Cash in now honey, cash in Miss Smith.' Miss Smith is my Mother; our last name was Smith. Cashing in when she cashed in her life. So... she decided that, to her... at that time, she was desperate. Life wasn't worth it for her, that was her opinion. Some people think, never take your life, and some people find that their life isn't worth living. She was in love with my Dad, and my Dad was not faithful to her, and it broke her heart. She was very desperate and she did something that I know she regrets."
Just A Little Lovin'
Dusty Springfield
Dusty Springfield
I don't think it's necessarily about sex. It's about wanting to start the day with some love and affection. Maybe a warm cuddle. I'm not alone in interpreting it that way! For example:
"'Just a Little Lovin’ is a timeless country song originally recorded by Eddy Arnold in 1954. The song, written by Eddie Miller and Jimmy Campbell, explores the delicate nuances of love and showcases Arnold’s emotive vocals. It delves into the universal theme of love and how even the smallest gesture of affection can have a profound impact on our lives." https://oldtimemusic.com/the-meaning-behind-the-song-just-a-little-lovin-by-eddy-arnold/
I think that this song is for anyone who's "ever been through shit in their lives." To me, this song is so powerful. I can completely relate to the lyrics. The lyrics, to me, are saying that even though you're going through shit right now, you WERE meant for something more, so you'll get out of it and your life will get to be worth living again.
Best band on the planet! :) Switchfoot ROCKS!
I totally agree with the opinion of jvenrick. This is absolutely a christian band. The thing with Switchfoot though is that the songs require a bit more thinking. So I can see how people get confused. But when doing so...I personally realized how true their messages about life and religion are.
Although I'm atheist, I think this song is mostly about how man and a species has become infatuated with material things, mostly money, while we are "meant to live" to worship God. Like when he says "have we lost ourselves" he means "have me lost touch with the reason we are here".
I'd remove 'while we are "meant to live" to worship God', and could happily agree with your statement
I'm Christian and proud of it, but I don't necessarily like your typical "Christian Rock" band that the only way you can interpret their song is that it's about God and God alone. That's why I love Switchfoot. They have songs that are pretty clear they're about God and your relationship with God, but to the untrained ear they sound like they aren't. By the way, another good band like this is Relient K if anyone has my kind of tastes.
i agree in your opinion :) Switchfoot rocks<br />
no this is not a christian band
@AmericanaFUBAR @bay1102916 the band members are Christians but they are not a Christian band based on genre
@AmericanaFUBAR . I agree and think the problem with a lot of modern American Christianity is trying to hard to sound like songs "of the world" and not just say what is on there minds. I personally feel like there are many artists who write incredibly spiritual songs without classifying it as strictly Christian. God is bigger than just one religion, and one set of of rules and Dogma, so therefore songs can tap into the great mystery from many different avenues, or genres. I would say other spiritual songs that have much meaning but are not Christian are Landslide by Fleetwood Mac, One by U2, Unforgiven by Metallica. I have found deep meaning in all of these songs that connected to something in my life. Others are Bob Marley's 3 little birds, and Redemption Song. I could go on. They just keep popping in my head now.
OK. For starters, the lyrics are not bent to live. What kind of sense does that make?? OK. Next, Switchfoot is a christian band. All of their songs utimately are about God. This one can mean other things though. Personally I take it to mean that we were meant to live a life with God, honoring God, and bringing pleasure to Him. But it could just as easily mean that this guy is taking a look at his life and just wondering what he's meant for. I guess we all do that in at a point in our life. We all feel lost sometimes and feel like were just ambling along in life. Well whatever you want to think about it, the song is great. Its a really good song, and I love the guitar in it. -Jessica
ok, i just started w/ this site, and i had the impression that we were to figure out what the band meant by the song, not what we want it to mean...but maybe not..my opinon is yes, they are christian entertainers, and most likelly have the desire to spread the love of Jesus through their music, whether is obvious or not, im sure they mean that we as a human race, not just america, but all of the world were meant to live for so much more than what we're living for, most of us live only for ourselves, we worship ourselves, ignoring God partly or completely...we were meant to live in peace and fellowship w/ God like Jesus, and ultimately we will in Heaven..we were meant for Heaven........i just love switchfoot to death and am very glad they're getting so popular, i just wish that people wouldn't look at their songs and go oh, it's about a girl, or something like that..oh well. much love
ITS ABOUT GOD OK MAN YOU WEIRDOS PLAIN AND SIMPLE
I cant say "Meant To Live" by Switchfoot has made me do anything but I listen to it all of the time, especially when Im feeling down. I want to say that it encourages me to always strive to be better. For example, I took a 4 year break from college. I just got sick of it and didnt think it mattered if I had a degree or not. One day while listening to this song it occurred to me after hearing the lyrics that I was meant to live for so much more.... 2 weeks ago I went back and signed back up for classes. I will have my degree July 2007 :-)
@Hereisgone i wonder. did you do it? or did you not? where are you now, and how is life treating you? are you happy? sad? do you still listen to this song? i dont expect this to ever get a response, and if it does i dont expect to ever see it again. but maybe, just maybe, someone else will see this reply, and maybe my current reply will be 12 years old just like the person im responding to. I wonder where my life will take me, where i'll be, what im doing. I hope life is treating you well, and remember that these years fly by fast. So make the best of it and create memories that you can cherish and remember for the rest of your life. Live in the "good ol' days" because you never know they are until they're over.
ok honestly nobody cares what anyone thinks! there is a clear meaning to the song and yes it is the "we are on earth for a purpose" the entire christian band thing is what it IS ABOUT! we stray and stumble over our own selfishness, it is indirectly saying that if we aim for self salvation (do not take that out of context) we will fail, there is an honest way to live and that is the divinity of God. Everyone can take it and apply it to themselves but that doesnt mean it was written without meaning....they had intent behind the song, look it up and study the group. Understanding a band's music requires understanding the band and lyricists. have fun criticising me if you dissagree! kudos if you do!