This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
You live your life, you live like an island
Satisfied, you live for the moment
Here you come, you make it look easy
I bet you smile in your sleep, are you smiling at me?
You live your life, you live like an island
Surrounded by water and silence
Mm, there you go, you make it look easy
I bet you laugh at yourself, are you laughing at me?
'Cause sometimes anything goes
When you're looking at me
And sometimes everything goes
When you're looking at me
So come on, come on, everything goes
When you're looking at me
Come on, come on, everything goes
Sometimes when you're smiling at me
Come on, come on, everything goes, come on
You live your life, you live like an island
What is it like? I wish I could hold it
Mm, there you go, making it look easy
I bet you like how it feels but do you feel me?
So come on, come on, anything goes
Come on, come on, everything goes
Come on, come on, everything goes
'Cause sometimes anything goes
When you're looking at me
And sometimes everything goes
Satisfied, you live for the moment
Here you come, you make it look easy
I bet you smile in your sleep, are you smiling at me?
You live your life, you live like an island
Surrounded by water and silence
Mm, there you go, you make it look easy
I bet you laugh at yourself, are you laughing at me?
'Cause sometimes anything goes
When you're looking at me
And sometimes everything goes
When you're looking at me
So come on, come on, everything goes
When you're looking at me
Come on, come on, everything goes
Sometimes when you're smiling at me
Come on, come on, everything goes, come on
You live your life, you live like an island
What is it like? I wish I could hold it
Mm, there you go, making it look easy
I bet you like how it feels but do you feel me?
So come on, come on, anything goes
Come on, come on, everything goes
Come on, come on, everything goes
'Cause sometimes anything goes
When you're looking at me
And sometimes everything goes
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I don't think it's necessarily about sex. It's about wanting to start the day with some love and affection. Maybe a warm cuddle. I'm not alone in interpreting it that way! For example:
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A friend recommended this song to me, saying it reminded her of my situation with a friend of hers. I had strong feelings for this guy and while he liked me romantically for for some time, this ended somewhere along the way. I agree with AlaileScribe, but I can also see TheChumpster's view on "insecurity."