What is this song about? It's sounds rather lovely, but i've failed to attach any meaning to the lyrics.

We'll correct collegiate mistakes
A shower of formal ideals
Completely soused
The hearts on our sleeves
As they drowned we could hear them screaming
"Oh, what a tragic way to see our final days"

I attempt to talk up the town:
"The answers are in the arches
Of the 20th century towers
And in comfortable cars in motion"
And yet it still remains, this incessent refrain
"You're just like the rest
Your restlessness makes you lazy"

Keeping busy is just wasting time
And I've wasted what little he gave me
(All around)
I know the conscious choice was crystal clear
To clear the slate of former years
When I sang softly in your ear
And tied these arms around you

I think it's about the Twin Towers in NYC.

quote:

Originally posted by .brian:
I think it's about the Twin Towers in NYC.

That's a popular misconception. Chronologically impossible, however, since the songs of The Stability EP came out on the Japanese edition of The Photo Album, which came out before 9/11 as far as I know. Although, I guess it could be about them before the attacks...that would be bizarrely prescient.

My understanding is that it is a song about missed opportunities and trying to start over after wasting time and becoming disillusioned. The first verse makes the metaphor of a heart drowning, possibly a loss of optimism due to a slew of bad relationships or disillusionment with college ("collegiate mistakes").

The middle part is pretty puzzling. The first quote might be just an attempt on the narrator's part to fall in line with society's expectations for college aged people, but apparently he is still labeled a lazy bum, due to his restlessness.

It just sounds like a lot of regret and dissatisfaction in the last verse. Regret for the past and dissatisfaction with what society has to offer. The narrator attempts to take refuge in his love and forget about the years he has spent wasting his life away in order to start fresh. Kind of like love is all you can hold on to...

I think this was one of the last songs to be released where Ben was cryptic with his lyrics...I think it is beautiful and interesting. The part where he sings "I sang softly" is one of my favorite segments of any DCfC recording.