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,
Am I the snake inside your garden
The sugar in your tea
The knock upon your back door
The twist that turns your key
Am I the sweat you feel on your head
The shadow on your face
The tune inside your head that put you here in the first place
Well I don't want to be
I don't want to be
I don't want to be your sweet temptation
I don't want to be your new sensation
It's just a delicate distraction
With just a hint of satisfaction
Look me in the eye and let me know
If you can't love me that let me go
Let me go
Let me go
Do you try to stay suspended
In your deepest fantasy
After night has ended
The scent of mystery
The power of suggestion
Tangles up your soul
A neutral state between love and hate
Is bound to take its toll
Well I don't think you know
I don't think you know
I don't think you know about the screaming
You don't understand the meaning
You could trade it in for laughter
To keep your happy ever after
Look me in the eye and let me know
If you can't love me then let me go
Let me go
Let me go
Baby in your ivory tower
Do you sleep tight dream fight
Baby does it wet your appetite
Maybe in your darkest hour
Am I the keeper of your beast
Well I don't want to be
I don't want to be
So let me go
Let me go
The sugar in your tea
The knock upon your back door
The twist that turns your key
Am I the sweat you feel on your head
The shadow on your face
The tune inside your head that put you here in the first place
Well I don't want to be
I don't want to be
I don't want to be your sweet temptation
I don't want to be your new sensation
It's just a delicate distraction
With just a hint of satisfaction
Look me in the eye and let me know
If you can't love me that let me go
Let me go
Let me go
Do you try to stay suspended
In your deepest fantasy
After night has ended
The scent of mystery
The power of suggestion
Tangles up your soul
A neutral state between love and hate
Is bound to take its toll
Well I don't think you know
I don't think you know
I don't think you know about the screaming
You don't understand the meaning
You could trade it in for laughter
To keep your happy ever after
Look me in the eye and let me know
If you can't love me then let me go
Let me go
Let me go
Baby in your ivory tower
Do you sleep tight dream fight
Baby does it wet your appetite
Maybe in your darkest hour
Am I the keeper of your beast
Well I don't want to be
I don't want to be
So let me go
Let me go
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This song is written as the perspective of the boys in the street, as a whole, and what path they are going to choose as they get older and grow into men. (This is why the music video takes place in an orphanage.) The seen, and unseen collective suffering is imbedded in the boys’ mind, consciously or subconsciously, and is haunting them. Which path will the boys choose? Issac Hayes is the voice of reason, maybe God, the angel on his shoulder, or the voice of his forefathers from beyond the grave who can see the big picture and are pleading with the boys not to continue the violence and pattern of killing their brothers, but to rise above. The most beautiful song and has so many levels. Racism towards African Americans in America would not exist if everyone sat down and listened to this song and understood the history behind the words. The power, fear, pleading in RZA and Ghostface voices are genuine and powerful. Issac Hayes’ strong voice makes the perfect strong father figure, who is possibly from beyond the grave.
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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:
"'Just a Little Lovin’ is a timeless country song originally recorded by Eddy Arnold in 1954. The song, written by Eddie Miller and Jimmy Campbell, explores the delicate nuances of love and showcases Arnold’s emotive vocals. It delves into the universal theme of love and how even the smallest gesture of affection can have a profound impact on our lives." https://oldtimemusic.com/the-meaning-behind-the-song-just-a-little-lovin-by-eddy-arnold/
Blue
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I think that this song means that she wants a real relationship with the person that she is with and she's wondering if she's only a temporary fix and desire or stand in for that person and if that is the case she wants them to "let her go" because this person is an obvious seducer who is not for real. Meaning that she wants a "real" relationship not a temporary fling.