Call me outside I'll come running down.
When I satisfied each need invented by my eye
I was a nest by a fox hole or dirt underneath your boot soles.
When I satisfied each need invented by my eye
It was northing like I'd imagined.

Like cocaine, their green eyes fixed on the television to pass the time until their two miles of elegant blinds halfway raised for the watching as you walked by.
"Look, come down to the window - she carries a candle at mid-day while the sun's still so high!"
But you knew better than to pay mind to what people and the devil say.
Call me outside, I'll come running down into your vacant, intoxicating night.
Call me outside to their haunted streets, their red electric lights.
I'm on the sad side of a nowhere town.
But sister, I'm all you've got, so call me outside.
I'll come running down - then not another word.



Lyrics submitted by bullets2binary

Track duration: 02:59


Disaster Tourism song meanings
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  • 0
    My Interpretation:"Disaster tourism is the act of traveling to a disaster area as a matter of curiosity. The behavior can be a nuisance if it hinders rescue, relief, and recovery operations."

    He's clearly talking about Amsterdam's red light district, but referring to it as a disaster area ravaged by lustful human passions and brokenness. Compare that to somewhere ravaged by hurricane--it's something external that people are quick to address, but Amsterdam is wrapped up in so many problems that are profitable to different people who would take advantage of others. No one goes there to bring relief necessarily. Aaron was probably moved with compassion for the women, and felt a sense of responsibility to be a light of God's love in that area, even if it was just him who felt that way. "I'm on the sad side of a nowhere town\but sister I'm all you got, so call me outside."
    Flagged rocknrollgirl47on March 25, 2012   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Straight from Wikipedia: "Disaster Tourism" is probably a song about wisdom or some new revelation calling to a man lost in hedonism. While this new revelation does not make sense, the man still replies. Aaron stated in an interview at Purple Door '05 that this song was based on a trip he took to the Red Light District in Amsterdam.
    Flag mroldan1993on April 13, 2011   Link
  • 0
    My Interpretation:This is an excerpt from the famous sermon, "The Sermon of the Plough" by Hugh Latimer. When I read the part about lighting a candle at noon-day I had to come on here and post this; it might shed some light.

    And now I would ask a strange question: who is the most diligentest bishop and prelate in all England, that passeth all the rest in doing his office? I can tell, for I know him who it is; I know him well. But now I think I see you listening and hearkening that I should name him. There is one that passeth all the other, and is the most diligent prelate and preacher in all England. And will ye know who it is? I will tell you: it is the devil. He is the most diligent preacher of all other; he is never out of his diocess; he is never from his cure; ye shall never find him unoccupied; he is ever in his parish; he keepeth residence at all times; ye shall never find him out of the way, call for him when you will he is ever at home; the diligentest preacher in all the realm; he is ever at his plough: no lording nor loitering can hinder him; he is ever applying his business, ye shall never find him idle, I warrant you. And his office is to hinder religion, to maintain superstition, to set up idolatry, to teach all kind of popery. He is ready as he can be wished for to set forth his plough; to devise as many ways as can be to deface and obscure God's glory. Where the devil is resident, and hath his plough going, there away with books, and up with candles; away with bibles, and up with beads; away with the light of the gospel, and up with the light of candles, yea, at noon-days. Where the devil is resident, that he may prevail, up with all superstition and idolatry; tensing, painting of images, candles, palms, ashes, holy water, and new service of men's inventing; as though man could invent a better way to honour God with than God himself hath appointed.
    Flag TimbrelsAndPipeson August 23, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:"When I satisfied each need invented by my eye
    I was a nest by a fox hole or dirt underneath your boot soles.
    When I satisfied each need invented by my eye
    It was nothing like I'd imagined."

    I dunno how true this is for anyone else, but as for me, when I deliberately do something that I know displeases God or give into some temptation I either end up feeling like crap or set myself up for getting hurt. I think that's what he's trying to say with these lines...
    Flag PlaysPrettyforMeon March 31, 2010   Link
  • 0
    My Interpretation:This song refers to the red light district in Amsterdam where prostitution is legal. "Like cocaine, their green eyes fixed on the television to pass the time until their two miles of elegant blinds halfway raised for the watching as you walked by." This is referring to the prostitutes who have to sit in front of windows as potential clients pass by, just waiting. "Call me outside to their haunted streets, their red electric lights. I'm on the sad side of a nowhere town." Here he's specifically referring to the right light district as the bad side of Amsterdam.

    The song title itself refers to people traveling to Amsterdam for prostitution.

    I remember after mewithoutYou's first tour to Amsterdam, Aaron wrote a long blog about how he was affected by what he saw regarding prostitution in Amsterdam.
    Flag xcowrnxon September 03, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I took a more political idea from the song, about war.

    "call me outside, I'll come running down" the goverment being eager to go to war

    "I was a nest by a foxhole" or a HOUSE by a war zone (ie foxhole)

    "the dirt underneath your boot soles" civilians mean nothing in those circumstances... like dirt under the shoes over the goverment.
    Flag flatrabbiton May 09, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:loves Disaster Tourism, it = beautimousness.
    Aaron sings!

    Flag foolbecomeson December 26, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:to beautifulflower

    just because one is Christian doesn't mean that one lives inside a locked room
    Flag Ethos27on July 26, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:ok, you sin people crack me up. There is something further beyond staying away from sin and I think this band dives into that big time. I think this is about Christian culture. I think that mabye the light in broad day has to do with Christians who get in there little christian buble and try to stay out of the darkness.
    "call me outside I will come running down into your vacent intoxicating night"
    He talking about a total change in the system. It is though he telling someone of his plans. Some strait lined christian. Who is watching the world pass buy through there blindes and they are speachless at the end.
    Flag beautifulfloweron May 14, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:This song is about resisting the urge to be lustful and greedy, and how it only leads to more sin and ultimately you will be lost to Satan.
    Flag luckdragonon May 10, 2008   Link

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