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,
I see you from the distance
From beyond the fence you made (ah)
Hiding all your feelings
Behind your barricade
Oh, have you been invaded
Is this the reason why you hide? (ah)
I know just how you're feeling
I know let me inside
Open the gate up
Open the gate up, hurry
Open the gate up, hurry
I want to get near you
But you just won't let me in (ah)
'Cause you're so scared of losing
Everything you've got within
Come on now you can trust me
Come on and open the door
'Cause I know how you're feeling (ah)
I know I've been there before
Open the gate up
Open the gate up, hurry
Open the gate up
Hurry, hurry, hurry, hurry
And do it right now
Do it right now
Do it right now
Do it right now, hurry
Mm, and do it right now
Do it right now
Do it right now
Do it right now
And do it right now
Do it right now
Do it right now
Do it right now
Hurry
Open the gate up
Open the gate up, hurry
Open the gate up
Hurry, hurry, hurry, hurry
Open the gate up
Open the gate up
Or I'm gonna knock the damn door down
Open the gate up
Open the gate up
Or I'm gonna knock the damn door down
Open the gate up
Open the gate up
Or I'm gonna knock the damn door down
Open the gate up
Open the gate up
Or I'm gonna knock the damn door down
Down
From beyond the fence you made (ah)
Hiding all your feelings
Behind your barricade
Oh, have you been invaded
Is this the reason why you hide? (ah)
I know just how you're feeling
I know let me inside
Open the gate up
Open the gate up, hurry
Open the gate up, hurry
I want to get near you
But you just won't let me in (ah)
'Cause you're so scared of losing
Everything you've got within
Come on now you can trust me
Come on and open the door
'Cause I know how you're feeling (ah)
I know I've been there before
Open the gate up
Open the gate up, hurry
Open the gate up
Hurry, hurry, hurry, hurry
And do it right now
Do it right now
Do it right now
Do it right now, hurry
Mm, and do it right now
Do it right now
Do it right now
Do it right now
And do it right now
Do it right now
Do it right now
Do it right now
Hurry
Open the gate up
Open the gate up, hurry
Open the gate up
Hurry, hurry, hurry, hurry
Open the gate up
Open the gate up
Or I'm gonna knock the damn door down
Open the gate up
Open the gate up
Or I'm gonna knock the damn door down
Open the gate up
Open the gate up
Or I'm gonna knock the damn door down
Open the gate up
Open the gate up
Or I'm gonna knock the damn door down
Down
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
More Featured Meanings
Gentle Hour
Yo La Tengo
Yo La Tengo
When We Were Young
Blink-182
Blink-182
This is a sequel to 2001's "Reckless Abandon", and features the band looking back on their clumsy youth fondly.
Just A Little Lovin'
Dusty Springfield
Dusty Springfield
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
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Blue” is a song about a love that is persisting in the discomfort of the person experiencing the emotion. Ed Sheeran reflects on love lost, and although he wishes his former partner find happiness, he cannot but admit his feelings are still very much there. He expresses the realization that he might never find another on this stringed instrumental by Aaron Dessner.
Punchline
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran sings about missing his former partner and learning important life lessons in the process on “Punchline.” This track tells a story of battling to get rid of emotions for a former lover, whom he now realized might not have loved him the same way. He’s now caught between accepting that fact and learning life lessons from it and going back to beg her for another chance.
this song rocks i'm surprised no one's commented already. kinda obvious what it's about, someone who puts up a fence between themselves and other people and doesn't share their feelings, and this other person wants to be trusted and let through the gate.