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.
We the dead, we the dead find a country road
Country road, lead the dead from our homes to the ground
Keep a book of the maggots our bodies will snare
'Cause the earth is the earth, no need to travel in the air
The CN Tower is built upon our bones!
The CN Tower will always be our home!
Decorate 'round the base, all the graves of our lost loves
Cabbages, ginger root and a crucifix
Never rode on the plains, never thought I couldn't stay
Had a good run anyway, had a good run anyway
I could fill up the lake with all the things I didn't say
Had a good run anyway, had a good run anyway
From the top of the tower
Radio buds in our ears
We can see your house from here
(x2)
Country road, lead the dead from our homes to the ground
Keep a book of the maggots our bodies will snare
'Cause the earth is the earth, no need to travel in the air
The CN Tower is built upon our bones!
The CN Tower will always be our home!
Decorate 'round the base, all the graves of our lost loves
Cabbages, ginger root and a crucifix
Never rode on the plains, never thought I couldn't stay
Had a good run anyway, had a good run anyway
I could fill up the lake with all the things I didn't say
Had a good run anyway, had a good run anyway
From the top of the tower
Radio buds in our ears
We can see your house from here
(x2)
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
More Featured Meanings
Standing On The Edge Of Summer
Thursday
Thursday
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.
Dreamwalker
Silent Planet
Silent Planet
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.
Magical
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
How would you describe the feeling of being in love? For Ed Sheeran, the word is “Magical.” in HIS three-minute album opener, he makes an attempt to capture the beauty and delicacy of true love with words. He describes the magic of it all over a bright Pop song produced by Aaron Dessner.
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.
if arcade fire is the lifeblood of montreal, then i think owen pallet is the lifeblood of our great city, toronto. these songs feel so familiar to me, and they carry such a great emotion of place, who hasn't at one point thought that the CN tower belongs to the dead, andhat they could fill up the lake with all the things they didn't say?
Oh dear me, I can't get enough of Owen. He is the epitome of everything beautiful in this world. Maybe my opinion is a little strong...ahah. Gorgeous song though.
this is final fantasy's best song and im going to buy really pissed if i cant buy thier album anywhere
I had no idea that Canada had the worlds tallest building! Thank you, Owen Pallett
The 49 MP version is so pretty. I think it's refreshing to have him rework his pieces.
god it's so eerily beautiful. i love owen pallett's music. he's fricking amazing.
I so dig those electronic beats.
I thought it was about dead people hanging out being dead, thinking about their lives and living in a tower. Im glad i know what the cn tower is now. and i always thought he said "the cn tower's built upon a boat" which i now see would not make sense.
I think that the song is about how the CN tower is an amazing acheivement. It also symbolizes how there are things that these people didn't get around to while they were alive and they were really important to them but at least they have a superficial accomplishment. Does that even make sence?!
Anyways, I just got tickets to his concert and I am so excited and I hope he plays this.
this song talks about the validity of the human body as a vessel living and dying and finding its home in the earth. We see people die every day. what we do not see is any religion raising them from the dead hints the line "no need to travel in the air." Many would argue one religion talks specifically about that very thing refered to by many as a zombie and to that person i would say where are all these christians who are being raised from the dead because all i've seen so far is their having died. then we goes on to speak of how short lived life really is and i agree that all the time in the world could never be enough for me in this wonderful existance i call life. the cn tower actually has very little to do with the song in my opinion actually. its just the sight of a graveyard which is fiting.
I saw an african pastor and his flock steal a body from a morgue and bring it back to life. I saw his interview afterwards too. I believe it was genuine but you won't. "For those who believe, no proof is necessary. For those who do not, no proof is enough."-Stuart Chase