Here is some background information on Clear Heart Full Eyes from the No Future Songfacts . In early 2011 Hold Steady frontman Craig Finn challenged himself to write a new song every day in his Brooklyn apartment for his first solo album. "I had written a bunch of songs that were outside of the norm for The Hold Steady, a little quieter and perhaps more narrative," he said. "I wanted to gain some experience and insight into the process of making a record by working with new people." Finn enlisted producer Mike McCarthy (Spoon) and traveled to an Austin, Texas studio far away from his New York comfort zone. He hooked up with some local musicians there, including members of Phosphorescent and White Denim and sang his vocals live, keeping takes to a minimum and completed recording in a few days. The resulting album, Clear Heart Full Eyes was released on January 24, 2012 on Vagrant Records.
Balcony
Craig Finn Lyrics
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It was dead except a couple people dancing
While our eyes were still adjusting to the dark her appetite was expanding
The dude with the long fingernails I don't think that I trust him all that much
It cost ten dollars just to get inside the building
It costs more to get in touch
I went to the SA to get some cigs
I looked up to see the moon and I saw you and him out on the balcony
It was the same thing that you did to me
Don't want to be your old man
I want to be your new man another time all over
I miss the way your eyes they used to spark when you'd look over your shoulder
The dude with the long fingernails I think he's gonna take such good care of you
I've seen him shave up at the library
I've seen him sleep behind the Caribou
I took the bus back uptown because I knew that it was over
I didn't need to know the rest of it
I know the look. I know the lines
I know the laugh from back when we first started it
Such a drunk romantic genesis
Now we've really made a mess of this
I'll put your stuff out on the driveway
You can get it when you walk back through the white light
I'll leave a sandwich in your suitcase in case you're hungry when you come back from the high-rise
I hope your dude don't break his nails when he tries to help you carry all your stuff
It costs ten dollars for a taxi. It costs a whole lot more to fall in love
I went to the SA to get some cigs
I asked the bagman to remember me
I looked up to see the moon and I saw you and him out on the balcony
It was the same thing that you did with me
The song "Balcony" by Craig Finn tells the story of a messy breakup as the singer describes seeing his ex-girlfriend with another man on a balcony at a party in a high-rise building. He notices the man's long fingernails and expresses his distrust. He reminisces about their relationship and misses the way she used to look at him. The chorus repeats the idea that he doesn't want to be her old man, but wants to start fresh with her in the future. He ultimately decides to move on from the situation, leaving her belongings on the driveway and an offering in her suitcase.
The song touches on themes of jealousy, distrust, heartbreak, and moving on. It paints a vivid picture of the singer's emotional journey after a difficult breakup. Some possible interpretations of the song could be that the singer struggled with communication issues in the relationship, or that he didn't fully appreciate what he had until it was gone.
Line by Line Meaning
There was a party at that high-rise up on Harmon
There was a party at a high-rise on Harmon street.
It was dead except a couple people dancing
The party was quiet except for two people dancing.
While our eyes were still adjusting to the dark her appetite was expanding
While adjusting to the darkness, the girl's desire increased.
The dude with the long fingernails I don't think that I trust him all that much
I don't trust the guy with long fingernails very much.
It cost ten dollars just to get inside the building
It cost 10 dollars to enter the building.
It costs more to get in touch
It is more expensive to communicate and connect with someone.
I went to the SA to get some cigs
I went to the convenience store to buy cigarettes.
I asked the doorman to remember me
I requested the doorman to remember me.
I looked up to see the moon and I saw you and him out on the balcony
I saw the girl and her new guy on the balcony under the moonlight.
It was the same thing that you did to me
She did the same thing with me in the past.
Don't want to be your old man
I don't want to be your ex-boyfriend.
I want to be your new man another time all over
I want to be with you again, as your new partner.
I miss the way your eyes they used to spark when you'd look over your shoulder
I miss the sparkle in your eyes when you looked over your shoulder at me.
The dude with the long fingernails I think he's gonna take such good care of you
I think the guy with long fingernails will take good care of her.
I've seen him shave up at the library
I've seen him shave at the library.
I've seen him sleep behind the Caribou
I've seen him sleep behind the Caribou, a coffee shop.
I took the bus back uptown because I knew that it was over
I took the bus back uptown because I knew our relationship was over.
I didn't need to know the rest of it
I didn't need to know anything else about what happened.
I know the look. I know the lines
I know the look and the words used in our past relationship.
I know the laugh from back when we first started it
I know the laugh from our initial days of the relationship.
Such a drunk romantic genesis
Our relationship started romantically under the influence of alcohol.
Now we've really made a mess of this
Our relationship is now a complete mess.
I'll put your stuff out on the driveway
I'll put your things outside on the driveway.
You can get it when you walk back through the white light
You can retrieve it when you come back through the driveway and into the house.
I'll leave a sandwich in your suitcase in case you're hungry when you come back from the high-rise
I'll keep a sandwich in your suitcase in case you get hungry when you return from the high-rise.
I hope your dude don't break his nails when he tries to help you carry all your stuff
I hope the guy doesn't break his nails while helping you carry your things.
It costs ten dollars for a taxi. It costs a whole lot more to fall in love
Taxi fare is cheap compared to the cost of love.
I asked the bagman to remember me
I requested the worker at the convenience store to remember me.
Lyrics © RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Written by: CRAIG FINN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind