I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
I used to think that I knew
My way around this town
But I'm always getting lost
Since you're not around
I never thought that I would say this
But I miss my mom
Even though for all those years
We didn't get along
And when I stop to think about it
I guess we were the same
Too stubborn to apologize
Too filled up on rage
I wish she felt young again
When everything was new
When her father held her hand
And said, "There's nothing you can't do"
And then I woke up to a phone call
Right On Christmas day
It said, "Your grandmother is dying
In a painful way
Her lungs are filling up with fluid
Even as we speak
The doctor said that if she's lucky
She'll make it 'til next week"
I had one last chance to see her
Right before I moved
But I didn't end up going
I used some lame excuse
I hope that she's not scared
Lying there alone
I hope she hears her husband's voice
Telling her she's coming home
It's just sleepy California
But I just hope they know
It's just sleepy California
How much I really care
It's just sleepy California
How I want the best for them
It's just sleepy California
Even though I'm hardly there
My way around this town
But I'm always getting lost
Since you're not around
I never thought that I would say this
But I miss my mom
Even though for all those years
We didn't get along
And when I stop to think about it
I guess we were the same
Too stubborn to apologize
Too filled up on rage
I wish she felt young again
When everything was new
When her father held her hand
And said, "There's nothing you can't do"
And then I woke up to a phone call
Right On Christmas day
It said, "Your grandmother is dying
In a painful way
Her lungs are filling up with fluid
Even as we speak
The doctor said that if she's lucky
She'll make it 'til next week"
I had one last chance to see her
Right before I moved
But I didn't end up going
I used some lame excuse
I hope that she's not scared
Lying there alone
I hope she hears her husband's voice
Telling her she's coming home
It's just sleepy California
But I just hope they know
It's just sleepy California
How much I really care
It's just sleepy California
How I want the best for them
It's just sleepy California
Even though I'm hardly there
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More Featured Meanings
Dreamwalker
Silent Planet
Silent Planet
No Surprises
Radiohead
Radiohead
Same ideas expressed in Fitter, Happier are expressed in this song. We're told to strive for some sort of ideal life, which includes getting a good job, being kind to everyone, finding a partner, getting married, having a couple kids, living in a quiet neighborhood in a nice big house, etc. But in Fitter, Happier the narrator(?) realizes that it's incredibly robotic to live this life. People are being used by those in power "like a pig in a cage on antibiotics"--being pacified with things like new phones and cool gadgets and houses while being sucked dry. On No Surprises, the narrator is realizing how this life is killing him slowly. In the video, his helmet is slowly filling up with water, drowning him. But he's so complacent with it. This is a good summary of the song. This boring, "perfect" life foisted upon us by some higher powers (not spiritual, but political, economic, etc. politicians and businessmen, perhaps) is not the way to live. But there is seemingly no way out but death. He'd rather die peacefully right now than live in this cage. While our lives are often shielded, we're in our own protective bubbles, or protective helmets like the one Thom wears, if we look a little harder we can see all the corruption, lies, manipulation, etc. that is going on in the world, often run by huge yet nearly invisible organizations, corporations, and 'leaders'. It's a very hopeless song because it reflects real life.
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/
Amazing
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran tells a story of unsuccessfully trying to feel “Amazing.” This track is about the being weighed down by emotional stress despite valiant attempts to find some positivity in the situation. This track was written by Ed Sheeran from the perspective of his friend. From the track, we see this person fall deeper into the negative thoughts and slide further down the path of mental torment with every lyric.
American Town
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran shares a short story of reconnecting with an old flame on “American Town.” The track is about a holiday Ed Sheeran spends with his countrywoman who resides in America. The two are back together after a long period apart, and get around to enjoying a bunch of fun activities while rekindling the flames of their romance.
i can't listen to this song and not cry.
This song really hits me at home. He talks a lot about the physical distance of living in California, when his family is elsewhere (Texas?). But he really admits, it isn't the geography that creates the distance with the family, it's him. He has chances to be near them, to visit his grandmother, to pick up the phone and he doesn't. The passage where he imagines his mom young is so beautiful too. He's recognizing that maybe they didn't get along well because life hardened her with disappointment.
THis song is amazing, everytime I hear it I tear up because it reminds me so much of my grandparents right before they passed away. it's just so beautiful.
This is the first Her Space Holiday song I heard. My roommate and I were in my car and just stopped conversation to listen. An exceptional song. Facing tragedy, he's facing his own inadequacies and shortcomings.
her space holiday does it again.
I wish she felt young again When everything was new When her father held her hand And said, "There's nothing you can't do"
... :(
@peachcake For me I wonder if his mom wasn't supportive of him being a musician. As in, "You can't do that. You'll starve!" Which is perfectly sensible advice very many parents would dispense. But we'd have a world with no Her Space Holiday if kids listened.
I had one last chance to see her Right before I moved But I didn't end up going I used some lame excuse
Yeah i cry with this song.
I never thought that I would say this But I miss my mom Even though for all those years We didn't get along And when I stop to think about it I guess we were the same Too stubborn to apologize Too filled up on rage
that reminds me EXACTLY of my mom and i three years ago. we found like crazy and freaked out on eachother and i left to go with my dad and didnt talk to her for years. man oh man. i can see myself crying like crazy in the middle of the night to this song. but loving it. because i can relate and someone feels the same.
uhh. and i cant stop listening to it.
wow