Kaufman lives in Asheville, North Carolina, and fills his available time with hiking and wiffle ball games, picnics and other outdoorsy activities that no matter how much any jerk will want to argue with you, are the very elements of the good life. He's a man who probably burns very easily, but he throws himself into nature, even when he's traveling and exploring the rest of America, visiting Missoula on tour and rafting on a river until the sun's well past its setting and the insects have begun their calisthenics and vocal exercises for anyone who wants to watch and listen. He believes in this thing called the good life and in just writing that and thinking about the various things that he values, it's abundantly clear that those are truly aspirations - seeking that old-fashioned good life in the simplest and most assessable of pursuits - from an older time, a generation of hard-working people who didn't feel as if they always needed to be working. It's of a generation of people who worked to afford themselves bread and milk, a roof over their heads and evenings and weekends to get together with their neighbors, close friends and family and enjoy their company anyway they could think of. These pursuits of well-earned rest and relaxation are those that clash violently with the adopted mentality of working overtime all the time so it's really just normal and never being too far removed from a gadget or glowing white screen. There's no moderation to our sad commitment to working and working if only for a more heaping collection of green pieces of paper.
Kaufman and Floating Action, a band that has gotten tighter and tighter over the last two years and turned into a soul-grooving group that wouldn't have been out of its league in Muscle Shoals, Memphis, Philadelphia or Detroit in the 60s and 70s, bring us to a very calm place where they woo us with gorgeous melodies and scrappily fuzzed out tones that radiate a vinyl warmth that somehow immediately instills a feeling of nostalgic happiness.
The songs that are on the band's self-titled debut full-length are numbers that reflect the carefree, I'm-clocking-out-early-for-the-rest-of-the-day thought even if there's a love problem or an even more torturous non-love problem. Mostly, the songs that Kaufman writes come from a spot of reluctant comfort, where a man and a woman are in the middle of their love, a mutual feeling where they care, love and yearn for the other and they're desperately hoping that it doesn't wane, but who could ever be certain of anything so uncertain as love? Kaufman's characters worry about this constantly - that impermanence of those matters - and there's begging and pleading (all of it mostly internally in the privacy of one's own troubled confidence) that feels absolutely justified and actually quite endearing. It's what we all do in those same situations when the going is good, we pray that something or someone doesn't come along and muck it all up like usual. Kaufman sings about being held up to the sunlight, but he's most wise when we're allowed to drift with him and empathize with his spirit on "So Vapor," when he lets this line out soft and cool, "When your mind is at ease to let go, to let go, to let go/So vapor." It captures all of his greatest inspirations and fears in one short and resoundingly soothing touch.
- Words by Sean Moeller
Say Goodbye
Floating Action Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In the time it takes to lower boom
And if you're strong enough to shoulder all the blame
Then don't waste time trying to explain
What am I supposed to do
Tell them I'm with you
The time has come to pay the price
The song "Say Goodbye" by Floating Action is a melancholic and introspective piece that talks about the end of a relationship. The lyrics focus on the idea of taking responsibility for what happened and being strong enough to face the consequences. The opening lines suggest that it's time to let go of something or someone in order to create space for something new. The phrase "in the time it takes to lower boom" is a metaphor that could mean either the moment of truth or the sound of a bomb going off, both suggesting that something dramatic is happening. The following lines emphasize the importance of taking responsibility for one's actions and not wasting time explaining the situation. The lyrics are written in a straightforward and honest tone that reflects the pain of the situation.
The chorus of the song is both a plea and a resignation. The singer asks what they are supposed to do and whether they can still be together. However, the repeated line "just say goodbye to me" suggests that the singer knows that the relationship is over and that the only thing left to do is to part ways. The lyrics are relatable and poignant, reflecting the experiences of many people who have had to say goodbye to someone they loved.
Overall, "Say Goodbye" is a moving song that speaks to the heart. The lyrics are simple but powerful, and the melody perfectly captures the sadness and regret of the situation. The song is a testament to Floating Action's profound songwriting talent and their ability to create music that connects with listeners on a deep emotional level.
Line by Line Meaning
Well if it's past time to make some room
If there's no more space for me in your life, then it's time to move on.
In the time it takes to lower boom
In the moment it takes for something to end abruptly, like the sound of a falling object.
And if you're strong enough to shoulder all the blame
If you're capable of taking responsibility for everything that went wrong.
Then don't waste time trying to explain
There's no need to justify or explain when things are beyond repair.
What am I supposed to do
I'm lost and unsure about how to handle this situation.
Tell them I'm with you
Let others know that I'm committed to this relationship, despite its difficulties.
The time has come to pay the price
It's time to face the consequences of our actions.
So just say goodbye to me
It's time to end this relationship, no matter how painful it may be.
Contributed by Isaiah K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@conchamelon
love this song.
@RobertF-
Great song
@roseannmurray4890
This song fucking rules.