I think we need more post-coital and less post-rock
Feels like the build-up takes forever but you never get me off

You pull your dress over your face, and I stare down towards my chest
Chastise both our greasy hair, wonder whose gut is the softest
Stand with my ear to the door, listening to the landing floorboards
Working out when we'll be safe, to dash from mattress to yr bathroom

Where I ball my fingers into fists until my knuckles glow bright white
Press the heels into eye-sockets 'til I see the flashing lights
Stop me when my stories change, when they have started to repeat
'Cause last time I was a mess of sleep of icy feet

So baby; all apologies
It was going to happen, inevitably.
Ohhh.

I think we need more post-coital and less post-rock
Feels like the build-up takes forever but you never touch my cock
And what exactly do you mean now, by
"what can you even eat? And how does that affect how I'll get off this evening?".

I flew down south to Mexico, had a minor realisation
I understood why kids draw the sun with its rays emanating
And the beams broke the clouds, the sky looked like a concertina
I'd sat on in my pocket for weeks, folded up from a picture

I've been playing straight chicken with gay girls
(It's never enough)
She keeps on pulling the peace sign
(And it seems like a taunt)
She licked a glaze on her lips
They shone like Battleship Grey
She never liked the wisdom I gave:

"Some people give themselves to religion
Some people give themselves to a cause
Some people give themselves to a lover
I have to give myself to goals"

So baby; all apologies
It was going to happen, inevitably
And if it helps, I mean, even slightly at all
It's best to dust yourself down and get straight back on the horse

I condescend a smile and wink directly at the camera
I leave you led in both our scents as I tip-toe out the backdoor
I skid down icy streets and view my face in the reflection
Of a high street lingerie store though it wasn't my intention

I phone my friends and family to gather round the television;
The talking heads count down the most heart-wrenching break ups of all time
Imagine the great sense of waste, the indignity, the embarrassment
When not a single one of that whole century was... mine



Lyrics submitted by shrodes

Track duration: 03:55


Straight in at 101 song meanings
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11 Comments

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  • +1
    General Comment:I love this song. I'm a big fan of post-rock, so that line gets me (post-rock tends to have huge, long buildup sections, for those who aren't familiar with the genre). I also love the bit about playing straight chicken with gay girls, since I've had that happen to me as well. Straight chicken is when one person moves in for a kiss and the other moves away. It's a fantastic play on words, and fits so well within the context of the song.

    Anyway, I'd interpret it as being about the frustration and difficulty of breaking off a relationship that wasn't working, and making a big deal out of it, only to find out that it wasn't so big of a deal after all. I think the last bit is Gareth making fun of himself for being so dramatic about the whole ordeal.
    Flag OldAngelScraperon August 28, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I think this is could be both literal or entirely metaphorical, but obvious a break-up song after things weren't working out and he wasn't satisfied. I'm not sure if he's actually the one who ended but I think either way it's over.

    The Goals I think is an obvious play on words for both ambitions given the last song and literal football goals.

    and the end I think is tongue-in-cheek about the nature of his self pitying or self agonizing following the break-up.
    Flag Trunks378on February 20, 2011   Link
  • +1
    General Comment:OH NO! I always thought said,

    "I think we need more post-cuddle and less post-love."

    Oh well, now I can write a song with those lyrics.
    Flag heartinaslingon August 19, 2010   Link
  • -1
    Song Meaning:Ah this songs actually about football, there's a few references, but he's basically comparing how Football is sex to him, I guess. I think the trip to Mexico is about the '86 World Cup and the whole white knuckle thing is where it gets tense when you're watching games and you make a fist, the mattress comment being not wanting to miss any of the game and yeah he definitely says Goals and not Girls. Can't wait to see them live again <3
    Flag AndyCampesinoson June 11, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:definitely says GOALS when hes singing live so..
    Flag sophieinspaceon February 27, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I know that talking head reference is probably a reference to the TV series, but I prefer the idea that one of my favourite bands is singing about another of my favourite bands :)
    Flag willc93on February 06, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I have to give myself to GIRLS.
    Flag tjwellson January 26, 2010   Link
  • +1
    General Comment:I just don't understand how LC!'s lyrics are all so terribly, heartbreakingly (yet hilariously) relatable. I love them too much.
    Flag TONERon January 26, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Corrections:

    I flew down south to Mexico
    Had a minor realisation
    I understood why kids draw the sun with its rays emanating
    And the beams broke the clouds,
    The sky looked like a concertina
    I'd sat on in my pocket for weeks
    Folded up from a picture

    I've been playing straight chicken with gay girls
    (It's never enough)
    She keeps on pulling the peace sign
    (And it seems like a taunt)
    She licked a glaze on her lips
    They shone like Battleship Grey
    She never liked the wisdom I gave:

    --

    I condescend a smile
    And wink directly at the camera
    And leave you led in both our scents
    As I tiptoe out the back door
    I skid down icy streets
    And view my face in the reflection
    Of a High Street lingerie store
    Though it wasn't my intention

    Flag tommaytoon January 21, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I think he probably says "I have to give myself to girls" rather than "goals." But I cannot be sure.
    Flag PhilipWithOneLon January 20, 2010   Link

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