When I Fall vs. You Run Away

[AnotherHeartbreak]

I like the vs. threads, so I figured I'd do a song vs another song. So I chose two Ed songs, When I Fall and You Run Away. For me it is a hard choice, I love them both so much. As it stands right now it is YRA for me. How about you guys?

[PolyesterAngel]

It was a very tough choice for me. I voted WIF, mainly because it has a lot of (personal) history connected to it. I know all the words and it's one of my favourites to hear in concert.

I guess I just need a few more months to build that connection to YRA.

[gwak]

I had to go with You Run Away. I have really come to love this song!

[Mobitz]

I have a tough time putting them head to head... I'll decide later!!

[WeedMage]

I like them both so I gave props to YRA, just cause it's new :)

[Ellen from Saint Louis]

YRA, because you know I like it when people go all balls-out personal.

[sandimas]

I gotta go with When I Fall if only for Jim's upright. :)

[becky11]

But what about Aluminum and Long Way Back Home? I can't be made to choose my favorite Ed song. I won't do it!!!! ;)

[really_mzungu]

When I Fall. No question. You Run Away is pretty good, but When I Fall is one of my favorite BNL songs of all time.

No question at all.

[TheHYPO]

Has to be WIF... besides being the first BNL song that I truely fell in love with, I think WIF wins for a bunch of other reasons including four unique four-line verses, a bridge, outro and two unique choruses; vs. 2 two-line and 1 four-line verses, a bridge and one repeating chorus (with verses overlayed) - I have to give it to WIF for having so much more development to the narrative. The guitar riff hook of WIF beats the piano riff hooks in YRA... and all that about what I think is pretty definately the first song ever about a window washer... makes it more awesome in my book. I also love the phrasings in that song (such as "They're Lined Up...")

That said, if anyone who is better than me at lyrics feels like typing, I'd love to finally be explained the meaning of some of the lyrics... things like "they're frightened of jumping in case they survive" (doesn't seem to fit the song to me); the last half of the bridge has never made sense to me:
I wish I could step from this scaffold
Onto soft green pastures, shopping malls
Or bed with my family
And my pastor and my grandfather who's dead

And finally, is the tag at the end, "When I fall"... is this meant to suggest that he plans to jump? That's what I've always thought it means...

[Philip]

"they're frightened of jumping in case they survive"

Just that if you survived such a fall - which is not likely but not completely impossible - you'd be pretty messed up and left to live in considerable pain and wheelchair bound, etc.?

I wish I could step from this scaffold
Onto soft green pastures, shopping malls
Or bed with my family
And my pastor and my grandfather who's dead

The window washer's simple vision of heaven? The soft green pastures of a rural upbringing but with the convenience and comforts of the mall; the warmth and security of the family bed; the familiar home truths and wisdom of his pastor; and the presence of a beloved grandfather.

When I fall...

Whether he jumps today or next shift, or gets hit by bus on his way home from work, he's going to die someday, so there's a realization of mortality and that at some point wouldn't it be better to 'fly', even for just a second, than just be cleaning windows his whole life.

The talk of art and the poetry of the inner voice also represents an epiphany - the waking of the artist within this particular individual.

Well, that's what I think.

WIF gets my vote, too, of course, because despite everything that's going on within the song, it's a little more concrete, and so for me tells a more satisfying and interesting story.

[Super Dave]

When I Fall was an easy choice. It is much, much stronger lyrically. Also someone wrote a novel based on the song.

Dave

[hockeymom24]

Must go with YRA. I loved it from the first time I heard it as I found it really spoke to me!

[manzanitajane]

I have to go with WIF too. Lyrically it's stronger and it's one of my all time favorite songs.

[Suebee42]

I have to go with WIF too. Lyrically it's stronger and it's one of my all time favorite songs.

Ditto... it creates such vivid imagery as you listen. I can see the squeegee. ;)

[Den of Antiquity]

WIF. Sang my daughter to sleep with that song for over two years when she was little. May still be my favorite BNL song of all time. Definitely in the top 5.

My favorite line - "A crystal clear canvas is my masterpiece." What a concept.

[Amicustoall]

I refuse to pick; however, every time I see this thread I read When I fall you run away! I guess that would be a wholly different song.

[Den of Antiquity]

When I Fall was an easy choice. It is much, much stronger lyrically. Also someone wrote a novel based on the song.

Dave

Super Dave, do you remember what the book was called and who wrote it? Was it called "When I Fall"? I wouldn't mind reading that someday, which is a statement in itself because I don't read much other than golf fiction or Chuck Palahniuk.

[becky11]

Super Dave, do you remember what the book was called and who wrote it? Was it called "When I Fall"? I wouldn't mind reading that someday, which is a statement in itself because I don't read much other than golf fiction or Chuck Palahniuk.

I believe it is called "When I Fall". It was pretty good.

[Suebee42]

When I Fall by Barb McClatchy (http://www.amazon.com/When-I-Fall-Barb-McClatchy/dp/0741439786/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1265762905&sr=8-2)

[iled]

since we are voting and all, I will have to say You Run Away.....I love them both (alot) but there is just something about that one. I can't wait to hear it live.

[Den of Antiquity]

When I Fall by Barb McClatchy (http://www.amazon.com/When-I-Fall-Barb-McClatchy/dp/0741439786/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1265762905&sr=8-2)

Muchas Gracias, Suebee and Dave.

[barenakedfanband]

Has to be WIF... besides being the first BNL song that I truely fell in love with, I think WIF wins for a bunch of other reasons including four unique four-line verses, a bridge, outro and two unique choruses; vs. 2 two-line and 1 four-line verses, a bridge and one repeating chorus (with verses overlayed) - I have to give it to WIF for having so much more development to the narrative. The guitar riff hook of WIF beats the piano riff hooks in YRA... and all that about what I think is pretty definately the first song ever about a window washer... makes it more awesome in my book. I also love the phrasings in that song (such as "They're Lined Up...")

That said, if anyone who is better than me at lyrics feels like typing, I'd love to finally be explained the meaning of some of the lyrics... things like "they're frightened of jumping in case they survive" (doesn't seem to fit the song to me); the last half of the bridge has never made sense to me:
I wish I could step from this scaffold
Onto soft green pastures, shopping malls
Or bed with my family
And my pastor and my grandfather who's dead

And finally, is the tag at the end, "When I fall"... is this meant to suggest that he plans to jump? That's what I've always thought it means...

"I wish I could step" says it all for me.

He wishes, he could just end it all, go to heaven and have all these fond experiences that he lists off, (shopping mall? hey, people get their kicks in different ways), but is bound to continue in his mundane efforts keeping the glass clean, getting the paycheck, providing for his family and he doesn't jump,

In the end, of the song, he finally acknowledges that he will eventually "fall" (a metaphor for dying), one way or another and (in my mind's video for the song), he ends his thought (the whole song), dips the towel back into the bucket, and makes more suds on the glass.

Thoughts?

[Liam]

It has to be "When I Fall". I love the song, it gives me shivers every time.

[42stairs]

I went with YRA. I don't know if it's the shiny newness of it, the fact that it's rich and full even without Steve's voice, the lyrics....or maybe the fact that everytime I picture Ed up on scaffolding cleaning windows on a sky rise building I suffer a mini case of vertigo (I've got goose pimps just thinking about it *shudder*)

[bratcw]

I voted YRA. I love WIF, but YRA speaks to my personal experiences more.

[maia]

I went with YRA too - for all the reasons other people listed... And also because I'm afraid of heights... ;)

[jeannie76]

I just can't choose! I love them both for their own special reasons.

Can't we have an option that says "Love everything that Ed sings?" :D ;)

[42stairs]

Can't we have an option that says "Love everything that Ed sings?" :D ;)


And make this easy? PFFT! LOL :D :p

[jeannie76]

And make this easy? PFFT! LOL :D :p

Can't blame a girl for trying! :D

[caycay]

Can't blame a girl for trying! :D

That should be added as a Poll Option!

[jeannie76]

That should be added as a Poll Option!

:D :D :D Thanks!

[Serendipitypaul]

When I Fall, Everytime! :)

[KevinDontCallMeHearn]

When I Fall, easily.

I like You Run Away, but I think WIF is brilliant.

[TequilaMockingbird]

WIF. It was not an easy decision... but that song just has a history with me that YRA doesn't (yet). Besides which, from a (bad) guitarist's POV, WIF feels a lot more fulfilling to play.