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”
We know that we could sell your magazines
If only you would give your life to literature just
Don't read Jane Eyre!
Work on your algebra
And stand out in the rain
And give yourself to simple pleasures but
Never play card games!
Meanwhile, back at home
Not in communist Russia
Well only on my headphones
We plot our march onto the town hall
And if we'd take prisoners
Or simply simper at those fools
Please don't tell me to do the math
Please don't tell me to do the math
Tonight we're gonna smash this place up
And then we're gonna deck it out with fairy lights till
We are content!
And then we'll maybe drown in Dewey decimals
But leave our shoes off at the door 'cause
That was the point!
Of us at home with the moon
Pouring through the curtains
Working on our attitude
Towards the second hand book shop employees
Reading the inscriptions
That were never meant for their eyes
Please don't tell me to do the math
Please don't tell me to do the math
Please don't tell me to do the math
Please don't tell me to do the math
I'm stitching up each one of your pockets
So when we are together you'll maybe look a little less bored
I'm sticking your fingers into sockets
To kick-start your little heart and maybe sleep a tiny bit more
Oh maybe we should read more into the books that we adore
Perhaps we should drink less vitamin c
And now I'm shouting out in capital letters
"I will throw you high fives if you keep your own secrets!!"
If only you would give your life to literature just
Don't read Jane Eyre!
Work on your algebra
And stand out in the rain
And give yourself to simple pleasures but
Never play card games!
Meanwhile, back at home
Not in communist Russia
Well only on my headphones
We plot our march onto the town hall
And if we'd take prisoners
Or simply simper at those fools
Please don't tell me to do the math
Please don't tell me to do the math
Tonight we're gonna smash this place up
And then we're gonna deck it out with fairy lights till
We are content!
And then we'll maybe drown in Dewey decimals
But leave our shoes off at the door 'cause
That was the point!
Of us at home with the moon
Pouring through the curtains
Working on our attitude
Towards the second hand book shop employees
Reading the inscriptions
That were never meant for their eyes
Please don't tell me to do the math
Please don't tell me to do the math
Please don't tell me to do the math
Please don't tell me to do the math
I'm stitching up each one of your pockets
So when we are together you'll maybe look a little less bored
I'm sticking your fingers into sockets
To kick-start your little heart and maybe sleep a tiny bit more
Oh maybe we should read more into the books that we adore
Perhaps we should drink less vitamin c
And now I'm shouting out in capital letters
"I will throw you high fives if you keep your own secrets!!"
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Cajun Girl
Little Feat
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Bee Gees
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@[Diderik:33655] "Your a holiday!" Was a popular term used in the 50s/60s to compliment someone on their all around. For example, not only are they beautiful, but they are fun and kind too ... just an all around "holiday".
I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
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,
American Town
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran shares a short story of reconnecting with an old flame on “American Town.” The track is about a holiday Ed Sheeran spends with his countrywoman who resides in America. The two are back together after a long period apart, and get around to enjoying a bunch of fun activities while rekindling the flames of their romance.
Plastic Bag
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Plastic Bag” is a song about searching for an escape from personal problems and hoping to find it in the lively atmosphere of a Saturday night party. Ed Sheeran tells the story of his friend and the myriad of troubles he is going through. Unable to find any solutions, this friend seeks a last resort in a party and the vanity that comes with it.
“I overthink and have trouble sleepin’ / All purpose gone and don’t have a reason / And there’s no doctor to stop this bleedin’ / So I left home and jumped in the deep end,” Ed Sheeran sings in verse one. He continues by adding that this person is feeling the weight of having disappointed his father and doesn’t have any friends to rely on in this difficult moment. In the second verse, Ed sings about the role of grief in his friend’s plight and his dwindling faith in prayer. “Saturday night is givin’ me a reason to rely on the strobe lights / The lifeline of a promise in a shot glass, and I’ll take that / If you’re givin’ out love from a plastic bag,” Ed sings on the chorus, as his friend turns to new vices in hopes of feeling better.
I absolutely love this song. Just a great beat, great sound, and great to dance to.
fantastic song. i think it must be a bit about american people cos the chorus is 'please don't tell me to do the math' and 'you do the math' is an american phrase.
I think that this is definitely about the hypocrisy of authority figures in young peoples lives, particularly the education system. I know for a fact that in America this is the case, because they try to stop us from reading certain books before we study them in class but then they encourage a love of reading. They strongly advise us against reading "Catcher in the Rye" and "Jane Eyre" and any number of other great, classic books because there is a vague possibility that we will study them later on.
The song is about using the things we learn in books to take over the establishment. In the end it tells us that maybe we should all just read what we want to, which can also be taken to mean that we should govern our own lives and do whatever we wish. The last line though is funny because it says we should keep it all to ourselves, perhaps the establishment can't handle the thought of rebellion? Perhaps making it public is futile? It reminds me a bit of Winston Smith in George Orwell's 1984 who has to keep any telling expressions of free thought to himself. Ironic that the idea can be found in the books themselves. =D
"And then we'll maybe drown in Dewey decimals" Unbelievable line.
This is indeed a good a song.
I was lying on my bed while reading "Jane Eyre" when this song played on iTunes. Ironically, I came to part in the novel where I no longer wanted to continue because the turn of events. Too bad :P
"Meanwhile, back at home Not in communist Russia Well only on my headphones"
A reference to the band 'Meanwhile, back in Communist Russia...', a now defunct post-rock band from Oxford England.
Also, "sticking fingers into sockets" is a reference to Nosferatu D2's (whom Gareth has mentioned on the blog a bit of late) 'Flying Things and Pests:<br /> <br /> "Let's stick our fingers in the sockets and make this evening interesting".