coney island
Good Ole War Lyrics


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I found a letter in the mailbox today
And I said, "thank you for your thoughts, but I'm done."
I said that I would never build this up right here
And he said, "that's why I can't work with you son."

But I can't let this go I'm on my way
You can only hold my diamond ring
But I'll go crawling back to the city I love
Cause it's already taken everything

I'm going to Coney Island have myself a dog
And reminisce why I still hate it here
It's all these people with their cotton candy eyes
It's so sweet, now put the train in gear

But I can't let this go I'm on my way
You can only hold my diamond ring
But I'll go crawling back to the city I love
Cause it's already taken everything

The ground is swallowing my options full release
And if it rains they might just disappear
I counted 27 birds up there today
I'm thinking that's why I still love it here
I'm thinking that's why I still love it here

But I can't let this go I'm on my way
You can only hold my diamond ring
But I'll go crawling back to the city I love




Cause it's already taken everything
Cause it's already taken everything

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Good Ole War's "Coney Island" convey a sense of conflicted emotions about the singer's relationship with New York City. The song starts with the singer finding a letter in the mailbox that expresses disappointment in something the singer has done or said. The singer responds by saying that they will not try to fix the situation and the other person says they cannot work with them. Despite this, the singer cannot let go of their attachment to the city and decides to go to Coney Island to have a hot dog and reflect on their feelings. They mention how the city has already taken everything, which is a metaphorical statement that suggests the city has taken everything valuable from them already.


Throughout the song, there is a sense of love-hate towards the city, and it becomes clear that despite the hardships or conflicts that arise, the singer cannot break its grip on them. The ground is swallowing their options, and there is uncertainty about what to do next. Still, they seem to find solace in the people and environment, as they mention the cotton candy eyes of the people and the birds they see. The overall emotion of the song seems to convey a complicated love for the city as the singer seems to grapple with their identity and relationship with it.


Overall, "Coney Island" is a song that captures the internal conflict and confusion that can arise from living in a big city. It is a song about the complexity of human emotions and the ways in which attachment and identity can become intertwined with a particular place.


Line by Line Meaning

I found a letter in the mailbox today
I received some communication in the post today


And I said, 'thank you for your thoughts, but I'm done.'
I responded to the letter indicating that I am finished with the matter


I said that I would never build this up right here
I declined to undertake a particular project in this location


And he said, 'that's why I can't work with you son.'
The other party expressed their refusal to cooperate because of my decision


But I can't let this go I'm on my way
Despite my prior decision, I cannot simply forget about this issue and I am taking action


You can only hold my diamond ring
Others may have control over material possessions, but they cannot control my actions or emotions


But I'll go crawling back to the city I love
I will return to the place I feel most comfortable


Cause it's already taken everything
This city has already taken a lot from me


I'm going to Coney Island have myself a dog
I am headed to a specific location to indulge in a particular food item


And reminisce why I still hate it here
While there, I will think about why I still have negative feelings about this place


It's all these people with their cotton candy eyes
The behavior of the locals is one reason for my dislike of the area


It's so sweet, now put the train in gear
The atmosphere is so cloyingly pleasant that I am compelled to leave


The ground is swallowing my options full release
My opportunities are disappearing


And if it rains they might just disappear
If conditions worsen, my options may become even more limited


I counted 27 birds up there today
I noticed a group of 27 birds in the area


I'm thinking that's why I still love it here
This observation is one reason why I still have affection for this place


Cause it's already taken everything
This city has already taken a lot from me




Contributed by Hannah M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

Billie Lake

love this song i cant stop listening to it.

Holy

I saw you guys the first time when you played with Xavier Rudd in Chicago. It was amazing. Loved you guys since

amber green

Love this song

TeaTime

I really like this song!

TrumpWinner

such an underrated song and your other songs too.

Sam

I've gotta have at least a thousand of those views... great song incredible music

GLADSON JOSE

I am a big fan of you good old war😍😘😘😘😘

Jinxiankalista

Coinage Stampers.

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