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.
At noon the wind comes through
Across the bay on a clear day
And I can watch the boats come in and set their anchors
And my folks are away at the store
So I don't have to listen to anyone say anything
And I'll swim out as far as I can
And float on my back
Just waiting for nothing
I hope they never come back to this house
It's a lot more fun alone
I can do anything I want
So I'm swimming
More like floating
And I'll just stay out here until the night comes crashing down
And I'll swim out as far as I can
And float on my back
Just waiting for nothing
They always come home at the wrong time
Like when I'm alright and don't need no one at all
Across the bay on a clear day
And I can watch the boats come in and set their anchors
And my folks are away at the store
So I don't have to listen to anyone say anything
And I'll swim out as far as I can
And float on my back
Just waiting for nothing
I hope they never come back to this house
It's a lot more fun alone
I can do anything I want
So I'm swimming
More like floating
And I'll just stay out here until the night comes crashing down
And I'll swim out as far as I can
And float on my back
Just waiting for nothing
They always come home at the wrong time
Like when I'm alright and don't need no one at all
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
Bron-Y-Aur Stomp
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
This is about bronies. They communicate by stomping.
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.
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.
Punchline
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran sings about missing his former partner and learning important life lessons in the process on “Punchline.” This track tells a story of battling to get rid of emotions for a former lover, whom he now realized might not have loved him the same way. He’s now caught between accepting that fact and learning life lessons from it and going back to beg her for another chance.
I personally love this song, I can relate to it really well and it does a fantastic job of explaining the feeling. At least one of my parents is home 98% of the time, that 2% where they aren't.... they're at the store. But those few hours they're away each week are great, I don't have to worry about them bugging me at all about anything, I can just sit there and blast my music and do whatever else I want. Then, I see them getting home in the driveway and have to turn my music down and get back to not being free. It's not that I do much different stuff at all, it's just the freedom of not having my parents around for a few hours, for the sake of having that freedom.
such a mellow song. seems like he is jus savoring the moments he has to himself. you know...just relaxing. i love it.
being alone is just ...better. i know how it feels.
to me this song is about the feeling you get when you get your alone time and want it to last for a while, but someone or something fucks it up.
dude, i couldn't have explained it better myself. Just being alone doing your own thing, but then again nothing lasts forever.
what a great song, definatly my favorite minus the bear song. im pretty sure the title is actually im totally not down with robs alien, but o well. song reminds me of a place i visit every year on a lake in canada, where i really do just float on my back just waiting for nothing. what a sweet song
Isn't it "I'm totally not down with Rob's Alien"?
Yes Sadex, it is.
Definately one of my favourite MTB songs. Can relate to the lyrics alot. When you just want to be alone and do whatever you want, but then your parents just fuck it up. Oh well, as you guys said, nothing lasts forever.
Amazing song, just like every other Minus the Bear song
they are so different i love it