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.
When you gonna do some damage,
Little Brother?
Now that half your life is over
If you're lucky
Looking at the trends of men down
Through your family
Boom, there go the treetops
Once more 'round the sun dried
Just in case you were not listening
I'm for damage
Sweet damage
Oh, damage
Sweet damage
Oh, damage
Come on, tell us what we've won
Little Brother's doing well
With his cave painting, selling
To the bandits and their brides
Little Brother, you're inside
"You're a natural," we joke,
"In the early ABCs"
Little Brother couldn't see
Past his eyes once again
He thought you were in love
He's just glad to be free
To have come so highly
Recommended
Oh oh oh oh
And you looked
Oh, like you were saying something
And you looked
Like you were saying something
With his slight victory
Little Brother took the keys
To the city which he found
On the floor of his van
Little Brother, cap in hand,
Found the turn of events
Unexpected
Oh oh oh oh
And you looked
Oh, like you were saying something
And you looked
Like you were saying something
Oh oh oh oh
Introductions have been made
Little Brother, I'm convinced,
Yet again blew her off
She thought she'd stick it out
Little Brother wished her well
The best wishes on both ends
Extended
Oh oh oh oh
And you looked
Oh, like you were saying something
And you looked
Like you were saying something
Oh oh oh oh
Ma ma ma ma
We end up together
Little Brother?
Now that half your life is over
If you're lucky
Looking at the trends of men down
Through your family
Boom, there go the treetops
Once more 'round the sun dried
Just in case you were not listening
I'm for damage
Sweet damage
Oh, damage
Sweet damage
Oh, damage
Come on, tell us what we've won
Little Brother's doing well
With his cave painting, selling
To the bandits and their brides
Little Brother, you're inside
"You're a natural," we joke,
"In the early ABCs"
Little Brother couldn't see
Past his eyes once again
He thought you were in love
He's just glad to be free
To have come so highly
Recommended
Oh oh oh oh
And you looked
Oh, like you were saying something
And you looked
Like you were saying something
With his slight victory
Little Brother took the keys
To the city which he found
On the floor of his van
Little Brother, cap in hand,
Found the turn of events
Unexpected
Oh oh oh oh
And you looked
Oh, like you were saying something
And you looked
Like you were saying something
Oh oh oh oh
Introductions have been made
Little Brother, I'm convinced,
Yet again blew her off
She thought she'd stick it out
Little Brother wished her well
The best wishes on both ends
Extended
Oh oh oh oh
And you looked
Oh, like you were saying something
And you looked
Like you were saying something
Oh oh oh oh
Ma ma ma ma
We end up together
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[rollingstone.com/music/rsstaffblog/;kw=blogs,rsstaffblogpost_2009,144168]
Ah! Thats so sweet! Makes me like this song even more!
That line in the second verse should be "Little Brother, cap in hand".
That line in the second verse should be "Little Brother, cap in hand".
(Sorry - this comment was also included as a reply to "fortm" by mistake)
Moreover, it's about taking the bad with the good in knowing that someone is family, or as good as, and loving how people affect you.