Who is 'Light Years' about?

Smartypants

CitizenRick wrote:

Hint: He wrote it while going through his divorce. He say's something along the lines of "I think you could probably figure out what it's about'

I could've sworn that that's what he said about "thumbing my way"? I can't find that quote in his 2000 interview with KROCK (http://web.archive.org/web/20050317235714/www.fivehorizons.com/archive/articles/krock_ev_intv2000.shtml) or with KROQ (http://web.archive.org/web/20060325142926/www.fivehorizons.com/archive/articles/kroq.shtml). Are those the right interviews or is there another?

I think that the song is just about the loss of a loved one and he could have had multiple people or situations in mind while writing it.

Anyway, it seems like Eddie is pretty big on not revealing a lot about where the songs come from or what they mean to him because he thinks it's more important for the listener to figure out what it means to them instead.

chikevin

if you feel the lyrics to 'light years', pay attention to 'sad'.
written around the same time.
my personal feeling is 'light years' was on binaural instead of 'sad' b/c someone thought 'light years' would sell more records at a time they 'needed' to sell more.


on their own, light years may have more meaningful lyrics to most, but to me, with everything that goes into the song (music, lyrics, etc)...i'd rather have 'sad' be about me.

light years.

Ive used hammers made out of wood.
I have played games with pieces and rules.
I undeciphered tricks at the bar, but now youre gone.
I havent figured out why.
Ive come up with riddles and jokes about war.
I figured out numbers and what theyre for.
Ive understood feelings and Ive understood words but how could you be taken away?

And wherever youve gone and wherever we might go.
It dont seem fair. today just disappeared.
Your light reflected now. reflected from afar.
We were but stones. your light made of stars.

With heavy breath awakened regrets.
Back pages and days that could have been spent together but we were miles apart.
Every inch between us becomes light years now.
No time to be void or save up on life.
Oh, you got to spend it all.

And wherever youve gone and wherever we might go.
It dont seem fair. you seam to like it here.
Your light reflected now. reflected from afar.
We were but stones. your light made of stars.

And wherever youve gone and wherever we might go.
It dont seem fair. today just disappeared.
Your lights reflected now. reflected from afar.
We were by stones. your light made of stars.

'sad'
All the photographs were peeling
And colors turned to gray
He stayed... in his room with memories for days
He faced... an undertow of futures laid to waste
Embraced... by the loss of what he could not replace

There is no reason that she passed
And there is no god with a plan
It's sad... and his loneliness is proof
It's sad... he could only love you
It's sad

The door swings to a passing fable
A fate we may delay
We say... holding on...delivered in our own brace
He let ‘em as he laid in bed
H oping that dreams would bring her back
It's sad... and his loneliness is proof
It's sad... he could only love you
It's sad

Holding his last breath
Believing... he'll make his way
But she's not forgotten
He's haunted...he's searching for escape

If just one wish could bring her back
It's sad... and his loneliness is proof
It's sad... he will always love you
It's sad

Ledbetterus

Both seem to be about death to me. I don't agree with either song being about Beth, but that whole situation may have contributed to the mood of each song.. But I still think they're both clearly about death.

Ricsard

I always think about these gems as "loss songs"...divorce? breakup? death? missing somebody because of distance?...whatever

Red mosquita

Personally I think it's about the fans

ozsmalltowngirl

Smartypants wrote:

Anyway, it seems like Eddie is pretty big on not revealing a lot about where the songs come from or what they mean to him because he thinks it's more important for the listener to figure out what it means to them instead.

Exactly what I was thinking

pkh43

juannis wrote:

you knuckle chuck...that was the saratoga 2000 show, and it was dedicated to the inventor of the lava lamp because he had died.

What is a knuckle chuck? I was @ that show also. I thought he said it @ Tampa show. Remembered and was going to share it but you beat me to it.

YoullseeDragons

spearhead wrote:

I've always heard this song was inspired by the loss of the fans at Roskilde, Denmark.

The song Love Boat Captain was written about the fans at Roskilde. The verse "lost 9 friends we'll never know" refers to them.