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.
A boy like me is told
He is both nine and ninety
And a boy like me
Should shut those books
Join the army
And a boy like me
Would never be seen
Fighting for peace
I want total chaos
And a holiday home in the east
And a boy like me
Should know much better than
To raise his flag in stormy weather
I just can't get enough electric shocks
I wanna buy a lighthouse
And ride a giraffe on the rocks
I don't give up
I want two dogs
Two cats
A big kitchen
And a welcome mat
I want all this
And all I shall have
Oh no, I don't give up
A boy like me
Don't ever give up
Give up his dream
No
He is both nine and ninety
And a boy like me
Should shut those books
Join the army
And a boy like me
Would never be seen
Fighting for peace
I want total chaos
And a holiday home in the east
And a boy like me
Should know much better than
To raise his flag in stormy weather
I just can't get enough electric shocks
I wanna buy a lighthouse
And ride a giraffe on the rocks
I don't give up
I want two dogs
Two cats
A big kitchen
And a welcome mat
I want all this
And all I shall have
Oh no, I don't give up
A boy like me
Don't ever give up
Give up his dream
No
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
Cajun Girl
Little Feat
Little Feat
Overall about difficult moments of disappointment and vulnerability. Having hope and longing, while remaining optimistic for the future. Encourages the belief that with each new morning there is a chance for things to improve.
The chorus offers a glimmer of optimism and a chance at a resolution and redemption in the future.
Captures the rollercoaster of emotions of feeling lost while loving someone who is not there for you, feeling let down and abandoned while waiting for a lover. Lost with no direction, "Now I'm up in the air with the rain in my hair, Nowhere to go, I can go anywhere"
The bridge shows signs of longing and a plea for companionship. The Lyrics express a desire for authentic connection and the importance of Loving someone just as they are. "Just in passing, I'm not asking. That you be anyone but you”
I Can't Go To Sleep
Wu-Tang Clan
Wu-Tang Clan
This song is written as the perspective of the boys in the street, as a whole, and what path they are going to choose as they get older and grow into men. (This is why the music video takes place in an orphanage.) The seen, and unseen collective suffering is imbedded in the boys’ mind, consciously or subconsciously, and is haunting them. Which path will the boys choose? Issac Hayes is the voice of reason, maybe God, the angel on his shoulder, or the voice of his forefathers from beyond the grave who can see the big picture and are pleading with the boys not to continue the violence and pattern of killing their brothers, but to rise above. The most beautiful song and has so many levels. Racism towards African Americans in America would not exist if everyone sat down and listened to this song and understood the history behind the words. The power, fear, pleading in RZA and Ghostface voices are genuine and powerful. Issac Hayes’ strong voice makes the perfect strong father figure, who is possibly from beyond the grave.
Blue
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Blue” is a song about a love that is persisting in the discomfort of the person experiencing the emotion. Ed Sheeran reflects on love lost, and although he wishes his former partner find happiness, he cannot but admit his feelings are still very much there. He expresses the realization that he might never find another on this stringed instrumental by Aaron Dessner.
Head > Heels
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Head > Heels” is a track that aims to capture what it feels like to experience romance that exceeds expectations. Ed Sheeran dedicates his album outro to a lover who has blessed him with a unique experience that he seeks to describe through the song’s nuanced lyrics.
The kazoo at the beginning is great.
I think this song is about gender stereotypes, omgawsh!
It's got an almost sarcastic tone to it. The 'na na na's at the start sound like drunk chanting, like a group of drunks getting ready to mock something.
The lyrics in the first verse refer to stereotypes of boys. Boys shouldn't read, they should be at war. Boys like destruction and chaos, and is unmanly of them to fight for peace. Etc
And the rest of the song is basically saying "Fuck you I'm my own me. I don't have to be like everyone else if I don't want to be, if it is risky (Raise flag/electric shocks/giraffe on rocks) then that is my problem, not yours."
And yeah..
Well that's what I think anyway.
Yay Patrick
I concur.
I concur.
I concur.
Oops, didn't mean to post that three times!
i've started to wake up every morning with this song in my head.
I love this song. I think it's about just going for what you want in life and not listening to what other's have to say.
"Alienation and teen misery are not rare commodities in music, but Wolf throws up such provocative contrasts ('I want total chaos/ And a holiday home in the east') that his naivete often seems acknowledged-- possibly even a put-on-- just another undercurrent in the clever, serpentine narratives that guide us through this densely self-aware work."
yeah, he is simply amazing.
I think this song is great.. remembers me the sound of Bjork latest album, medulla, anyway i think that Patrick Wolf had more carefull in the electronic construction (it's amazing) wich I prefer rather than the lyric (that is ok too) Thank you Patrick Wolf. It's amazing how you can do such wonderfull things with your age, u've proved ur a genius :D
Yeah, does sound like Medulla.. But doesn't it annoy anyone else that he makes music like me and still talks about wanting a welcome mat? I know he's trying to be funny and ironically banal and whatever but I'd rather he just kept talking about giraffes and ukeleles and Cornish pasties.
(Rant over).
it's about him riding a giraffe, because that's his spiritual animal, as he is tall and likes the colour yellow. And that's a quote.
it's about him riding a giraffe, because that's his spiritual animal, as he is tall and likes the colour yellow. And that's a quote.
Lol at _ellie's comment.
I'm not laughing at your point but your comment made me laugh! "cornish pasties" =D