Things the Grandchildren Should Know :: The Eels

This song is off of the Eels rather brilliant 2 disc CD, Blinking Lights and Other Revelations. It's the final track of the whole collection.

Sometimes I'm terrified that when I grow old I'll become an anti-social recluse. This song makes me feel a little better about growing old. Even if I do become a bit of a recluse, I think it'll be ok. The song also reminds me that I want to talk to my parents and grandparents, to talk to them about their lives, how they see their experiences. I would love to understand some of my parents decisions. I would also love to know how my parents really feel about me. I know that they love me, but sometimes I feel like I just confuse them. I'm quite impressed that the Eels are able to write such insightful (well, to me) music about growing older before they've reached old age.

I think my favorite lyrics from the song are "I knew true love and i knew passion and the difference between the two." I think people often confuse love with other emotions, like lust and passion. I also think that we equate love with sacrifice, sacrifice of dreams, friendships, independence, even the sacrifice of passion itself. I also think that we often forget that love can be passionate without being romantic or sexual. I'm not saying I know the difference yet between passion and love, but I'm learning and I'll get there one day.



I go to bed real early
Everybody thinks it's strange
I get up early in the morning
No matter how disappointed i was
With the day before
It feels new

I don't leave the house much
I don't like being around people
Makes me nervous and weird
I don't like going to shows either
It's better for me to stay home
Some might think it means i hate people
But that's not quite right

I do some stupid things
But my heart's in the right place
And this i know

I got a dog
I take him for a walk
And all the people like to say hello
I'm used to staring down at the sidewalk cracks
I'm learning how to say hello
Without too much trouble

I'm turning out just like my father
Though i swore i never would
Now i can say that i have a love for him
I never really understood
What it must have been like for him
Living inside his head

I feel like he's here with me now
Even though he's dead

It's not all good and it's not all bad
Don't believe everything you read
I'm the only one who knows what it's like
So i though i'd better tell you
Before i leave

So in the end i'd like to say
That i'm a very thankful man
I tried to make the most of my situations
And enjoy what i had
I knew true love and i knew passion
And the difference between the two
And i had some regrets
But if i had to do it all again
Well, it's something i'd like to do