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.
Fragile, like a baby in your arms
Be gentle with me, I'd never willingly do you harm
Apologies are all you seem to get from me
But just like a child, you make me smile when you care for me
And you know
It's a question of lust, it's a question of trust
It's a question of not letting what we've built up crumble to dust
It is all of these things and more
That keep us together
Independence is still important for us though
(We realise)
It's easy to make the stupid mistake of letting go
(Do you know what I mean?)
My weaknesses, you know each and every one
(It frightens me)
But I need to drink more than you seem to think before I'm anyone's
And you know
It's a question of lust, it's a question of trust
It's a question of not letting what we've built up crumble to dust
It is all of these things and more
That keep us together
Kiss me goodbye when I'm on my own
But you know that I'd rather be home
It's a question of lust, it's a question of trust
It's a question of not letting what we've built up crumble to dust
It is all of these things and more
That keep us together
It's a question of lust, it's a question of trust
It's a question of not letting what we've built up crumble to dust
It is all of these things and more
That keep us together
It's a question of lust, it's a question of trust
It's a question of not letting what we've built up crumble to dust
It is all of these things and more
That keep us together
It's a question of lust, it's a question of trust
It's a question of not letting what we've built up crumble to dust
It is all of these things and more
That keep us together
Be gentle with me, I'd never willingly do you harm
Apologies are all you seem to get from me
But just like a child, you make me smile when you care for me
And you know
It's a question of lust, it's a question of trust
It's a question of not letting what we've built up crumble to dust
It is all of these things and more
That keep us together
Independence is still important for us though
(We realise)
It's easy to make the stupid mistake of letting go
(Do you know what I mean?)
My weaknesses, you know each and every one
(It frightens me)
But I need to drink more than you seem to think before I'm anyone's
And you know
It's a question of lust, it's a question of trust
It's a question of not letting what we've built up crumble to dust
It is all of these things and more
That keep us together
Kiss me goodbye when I'm on my own
But you know that I'd rather be home
It's a question of lust, it's a question of trust
It's a question of not letting what we've built up crumble to dust
It is all of these things and more
That keep us together
It's a question of lust, it's a question of trust
It's a question of not letting what we've built up crumble to dust
It is all of these things and more
That keep us together
It's a question of lust, it's a question of trust
It's a question of not letting what we've built up crumble to dust
It is all of these things and more
That keep us together
It's a question of lust, it's a question of trust
It's a question of not letting what we've built up crumble to dust
It is all of these things and more
That keep us together
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”
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.
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.
Actually, Martin wrote this song for his girlfriend, who was experiencing a lot of jealousy/insecurity about him being away on tour. The temptations he experiences while on tour are a question of lust, and their relationship is a question of trust - does she trust him enough to not let what they've built up crumble to dust? The last part sums it up - he'd "rather be home" but going on tour is part of being in the world's greatest band!
yes, you might be right.. but i've seen Martin and Dave in Milan concert today.. and i just thought, it might be basically about their relationship, they love each other, they had a lot of unknown issues in very irresistibles moments, sometimes maybe overdosed... ;>
i think this song is about some need to go out and....perhaps not quite cheat on his lover, but definitely cross boundaries. but he only loves his lover, and the fact that she/he trusts that is why they're still together.
I think this song is about a couple who have been together for a short while but one of the two has some hangup that is preventing them from becoming intimate. The other is becoming sexually frustrated and is wondering if ending the relationship over "a question of lust" is worth it as it could prove to be a loving and lasting relationship.
I firstly thought this was about his GL dad... now I feel that it's a ballad explaining that lust is lust and release is release... but there is only 1 #1, and that maybe Poly is ok :)
This is one of my top fav Depeche Mode songs. When I was in high school I did an AP English project on this song and its meaning. The best lines are "It's a question of not letting What we've built up Crumble to dust It is all of these things and more That keep us together" Lust or love?
To me this song represents the raw NEED to have that one person in your life that satisfies all you need and to feel vulnerable because you have that need. Defeinitely a unique and tragic love story in which one person holds more love and depth than the other.
I agree 100% with Cardiff Giant... I mean, he explained it perfectly... read the lyrics with his idea in mind and you'll see... It's a question of lust...
its a question of lust, its a question of trust, its a question of not letting what weve build up crumble to dust.....lust, trust, building a relationship- all these things together are parts of love....he does things that are not to her liking, maybe not to his likig either, but in the end, for a couple to stay together, you must answer those questions...do i find my partner sexy, do i trust my partner to do what needs to be done, do we want to throw away everything we built up
Actually with the ending, it sounds like it's a young man trying to convince his girlfriend to have sex for the first time before he goes away for something.... so they can seal their relationship before he leaves.
"Kiss me goodbye When I'm on my own But you know that I'd Rather be home"
I personally think the last bit is suggesting that the woman is somehow shy or embarrassed to be seen in public with him. He wants to show everyone, including maybe his family, the woman he loves, but she seems to want it to be secret or is not as committed to the relationship as he is.