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.
I got a leaf
And a spleef
Light that spleef
God bless that spleef in my mouth
Or should I say ja baby
Spin Doctors are crazy
Take it Butch
I got a life complete with my love
I got a wife, she fits in my leather gloves
I got a knife and I keep it above my heart for you
Rock on
It always sets me down
The way you tremble when you're down
And all the lies you tell
Come back to haunt you baby
Back to haunt you down
Come back to haunt you baby
Haunt you down
All right
Look Out
I've been to Christmas in France
I don't wanna have no pants
I've had Christmas in France
Where they don't wear any pants
I've had Christmas in Detroit
How do you think that feels?
I've been married in Cincinnati too
Hold Off
All you need your fill is waiting for your man to come home
All your deets undecided boxes
Are coming out
I'm coming out
I'm hungry for you
I can smell you on my hands
And it smells really good
Oh yeah
Hold me down and love me
Hold me down and love me
Keep that knife above me
I'll teach you how to look my age
If you wanna look old
I'll teach you how to look my age
If you wanna look old
I'll teach you how to look my age
I'll teach you how to act like over age, over age
And a spleef
Light that spleef
God bless that spleef in my mouth
Or should I say ja baby
Spin Doctors are crazy
Take it Butch
I got a life complete with my love
I got a wife, she fits in my leather gloves
I got a knife and I keep it above my heart for you
Rock on
It always sets me down
The way you tremble when you're down
And all the lies you tell
Come back to haunt you baby
Back to haunt you down
Come back to haunt you baby
Haunt you down
All right
Look Out
I've been to Christmas in France
I don't wanna have no pants
I've had Christmas in France
Where they don't wear any pants
I've had Christmas in Detroit
How do you think that feels?
I've been married in Cincinnati too
Hold Off
All you need your fill is waiting for your man to come home
All your deets undecided boxes
Are coming out
I'm coming out
I'm hungry for you
I can smell you on my hands
And it smells really good
Oh yeah
Hold me down and love me
Hold me down and love me
Keep that knife above me
I'll teach you how to look my age
If you wanna look old
I'll teach you how to look my age
If you wanna look old
I'll teach you how to look my age
I'll teach you how to act like over age, over age
Lyrics submitted by oceanofhoney
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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.
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Great version of a great song,
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well, the leaf could mean marijuana, and spleef could refer to "spliff", which is a joint. and thats my input.
First off he's threatened, "I got a knife and I keep it above my heart for you." That along with the title, "Haunt You Down" gives the feeling that he's lost control to something... but what?
Sure there's definite references to weed, I mean it's hard to argue, he says "spliff" three times.
There has to be more to it though. Let's consider the "I've been to Christmas in France where they don't wear any pants" part. What could this possibly mean? I'm tempted to take it at face value and say he's talking about banging whores. "I can smell you on my hands. And it smells really good. Oh yeah," could make a lot more sense applied to pussy instead of weed.
He could even mean to imply he's controlled by both women and weed.
really? was it you who deciphered the rosetta stone too?
this song is obviously a rehearsal goof-off, but still features some lovely liquid guitar for brief beatific appreciation refreshment.
I can smell you on my hands And it smells really good Oh yeah!
...or should i say 'jah,' baby...
...all you new york phillies waitin' for your man to come home...
...undecided foxes(?)....
song definitely seems to reference marijuana -- 'i can smell you on my hands, and it smells really good'
Let's roll with that (no pun intended), he is asking for love, to be held down, and for the knife above him, the loss of control of which you speak is precisely what he desires, what he needs sexually...