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.
It's all in motion
No stoppin' now
I've got nothin' to lose
And only one way up
I'm burning bridges
I destroy the mirage
Oh, visions of collisions
Fuckin 'bon voyage
It's all smooth sailing
From here on out
I got bruises and hickies
Stitches and scars
Got my own theme music
It plays wherever I are
Fear is the hand
That pulls your strings
A useless toy
Pitiful plaything
I'm inflagranti
In every way
It's all smooth sailing
From here on out
I'm gon' do the damage
That needs gettin' done
God only knows
Where love vacations
If reason is priceless
There's no reason to pay for it
It's so easy to see
And so hard to find
Make a mountain of a mole hill
If the mole hill is mine
I hypnotize you
And no one can find you
I blow my load
Over the status quo
Here we go
I'm a little bit nonchalant
But I dance
I'm risking it always
No second chance
It's gonna be smooth sailing
From here on out
I'm gon' do the damage
'Til the damage is done yeah
God only knows
So mind your behavior
Follow prescriptions
Of your lord and savior
Every temple is gold
Every hook is designed
Hell is but the temple
Of the closed mind
Closed mind
Closed mind
Closed mind
It's all smooth sailing
From here on out
Shut up
Pow!
No stoppin' now
I've got nothin' to lose
And only one way up
I'm burning bridges
I destroy the mirage
Oh, visions of collisions
Fuckin 'bon voyage
It's all smooth sailing
From here on out
I got bruises and hickies
Stitches and scars
Got my own theme music
It plays wherever I are
Fear is the hand
That pulls your strings
A useless toy
Pitiful plaything
I'm inflagranti
In every way
It's all smooth sailing
From here on out
I'm gon' do the damage
That needs gettin' done
God only knows
Where love vacations
If reason is priceless
There's no reason to pay for it
It's so easy to see
And so hard to find
Make a mountain of a mole hill
If the mole hill is mine
I hypnotize you
And no one can find you
I blow my load
Over the status quo
Here we go
I'm a little bit nonchalant
But I dance
I'm risking it always
No second chance
It's gonna be smooth sailing
From here on out
I'm gon' do the damage
'Til the damage is done yeah
God only knows
So mind your behavior
Follow prescriptions
Of your lord and savior
Every temple is gold
Every hook is designed
Hell is but the temple
Of the closed mind
Closed mind
Closed mind
Closed mind
It's all smooth sailing
From here on out
Shut up
Pow!
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings, edited by dvt1393, sparna, GRNKRK, SilentAssassin, MilkManMike, GoodNKiwi, Cassabian, goddamnboxes
Smooth Sailing Lyrics as written by Josh Homme Dean Anthony Fertita
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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
Gentle Hour
Yo La Tengo
Yo La Tengo
This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
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.
When We Were Young
Blink-182
Blink-182
This is a sequel to 2001's "Reckless Abandon", and features the band looking back on their clumsy youth fondly.
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.
I'd like to know why the music video contradicts the song. Tired of this shit happening. It's like iggy pop said: "...old rockers don't rock anymore, they just collect their cash. It takes cash to live like a king". Josh is selling out. He should take his own advice in Smooth Sailing, or Henry Rollins advice, which even Henry can't take himself, and say fuck it to the big business of making music, and just make music.