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.
I was thinking that I might fly today
Just to disprove all the things that you say
It doesn't take a talent to be mean
Your words can crush things that are unseen
So please be careful with me, I'm sensitive
And I'd like to stay that way
You always tell me that it's impossible
To be respected, and be a girl
Why's it gotta be so complicated
Why you gotta tell me if I'm hated
Oh please be careful with me, I'm sensitive
And I'd like to stay that way
When I was thinking, that it might do some good
If we robbed the cynics and took all their food
That way what they believe will have taken place
And we can give it to everybody who have some faith
So please be careful with me, I'm sensitive
And I'd like to stay that way
I have this theory, that if we're told we're bad
Then that's the only idea we'll ever have
But maybe if we are surrounded in beauty
Someday we will become what we see
'Cause anyone can start a conflict
It's harder yet to disregard it
I'd rather see the world from another angle
We are everyday angels
Be careful with me 'cause I'd like to stay that way
Just to disprove all the things that you say
It doesn't take a talent to be mean
Your words can crush things that are unseen
So please be careful with me, I'm sensitive
And I'd like to stay that way
You always tell me that it's impossible
To be respected, and be a girl
Why's it gotta be so complicated
Why you gotta tell me if I'm hated
Oh please be careful with me, I'm sensitive
And I'd like to stay that way
When I was thinking, that it might do some good
If we robbed the cynics and took all their food
That way what they believe will have taken place
And we can give it to everybody who have some faith
So please be careful with me, I'm sensitive
And I'd like to stay that way
I have this theory, that if we're told we're bad
Then that's the only idea we'll ever have
But maybe if we are surrounded in beauty
Someday we will become what we see
'Cause anyone can start a conflict
It's harder yet to disregard it
I'd rather see the world from another angle
We are everyday angels
Be careful with me 'cause I'd like to stay that way
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I have this theory, that if we're told we're bad Then that's the only idea we'll ever have But maybe if we are surrounded in beauty Someday we will become what we see
I love that
@Sophie400 me too.. it is the best bit....<br /> i'd rather see the world from another angle..<br /> we are everyday angels.."<br /> •^_^•
This song describes me perfectly. It is one thing to know that the world can be a not very nice place, but if you are optimistic about things than nothing will get you down. I am a sensitive person and I hate when people think that I am stupid or naive when I am neither, I just choose to look at the good in things, instead of focusing on the all-too-obvious bad.
I think you guys who are making this an "all girls are sensitive" thing are off the mark. The second verse, where she says, "you always tell me it's impossible to be respected and be a girl is" is actually the weakest in the song ... if you take all the others together, she's talking about the same kind of idealism Lennon meant in "Imagine". Just like he's not the only dreamer, she's not the only sensitive person, male or female -- this is an anthem saying that being sensitive is a good thing. Better be an everyday angel in the world than just one more bitter, mistrustful cynic.
This song refreshes me. I'm so used to people making sensitivity seem like a bad thing. Listening to the song just makes me happy. :)
I don’t think she’s speaking of girls, singlehandedly. Jewel is much to deep as a writer to flock straight into labeled feminism, or even come close. She write about someone who is sensitive and I hear children harmonizing in the song with her . I think she’s speaking from her younger self’s point of view... to spark her audience from another angle ; an angle that each of will find familiar if we look inward for long enough. In short, I think she’s capturing the spirit of all children- innocent, until tainted with the harsh cruel real world we live in. If no one told us we were anything but worthy and beautiful from the day we were born, we would never have reason to question this. I think the lyrics ‘and I’d like to stay this way’ indicate children’s’ innocence and sensitive nature shouldn’t have to change for any reason / person , especially from the unnatural experience of Intended hatred . Intentionally being mean or not, children (or the spirit of children are sensitive for a reason. She speaks a lot about God in her other songs . I thinks she’s closely tied to her beliefs in her writing and I can always tell it’s important for her and sharing who she is in her music, and wants to make sure people consider some unique perspectives, which aren’t popularly addressedIn the music world— yet, Just as Jewel intended, stil one of the most popular way to reach other people . Jewel truly knows the power of music.
it doesnt take a talent to be mean your words can hurt things that are unseen everybody should take that to heart
*crush things that are unseen. but yes people could take that to heart, although i dont think that this song is really that accurate, it kinda makes it sound that shes trying to say that girls are vulnerable to stuff like that. i dont know it bothers me.
I dont really think that shes saying girls are like this, I think that she is saying that SHE is like this...but thats just my personal opinion. I really like the words to this song- I am optimistic and like to see the best and view the world as a beautiful place (and some say that I am naieve (sp?) too but theyre wrong: i just dont think things are as bad as they do) Im sensetive, and Id like to stay that way...
things are bad, but it's people like jewel and her optimistic followers that could make it a better place. to quote morgan freeman's character out of the film seven: "Ernest Hemingway said the world is a wonderful place, worth fighiting for. I agree with the second part." me too :) keep it up, guys :)
I heavily see loligirl2004's idea here. I get the impression that she is saying that girls are intrinsicly 'soft' and 'sensitve', and thus men are less so or not at all. I'm no raging feminist but that still irks me. Despite that, there are some utopian values outlined in this song that i'm sure would make the whole world flowery and good but just as much so it seems like quite the pipe dream.