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,
Well if you turn the porch light off and let the marble night withdraw you can smoke a cigarette on the wooden steps mosquitoes are not vampires the moon is not your mother and if she is preparing for a total eclipse, get behind the wheel stay in front of the storm. Get behind the wheel stay in front of the storm. The clouds dream disorder they make faces they make mud on some ancient order which is no longer enforced the sugar bowl is full of ants your sister is a dumpy mess and we're cutting off your head despite your shoulders. Get behind the wheel stay in front of the storm. Just get behind the wheel stay in front of the storm. Just get behind the wheel stay in front of the storm.
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Gentle Hour
Yo La Tengo
Yo La Tengo
I Can't Go To Sleep
Wu-Tang Clan
Wu-Tang Clan
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.
No Surprises
Radiohead
Radiohead
Same ideas expressed in Fitter, Happier are expressed in this song. We're told to strive for some sort of ideal life, which includes getting a good job, being kind to everyone, finding a partner, getting married, having a couple kids, living in a quiet neighborhood in a nice big house, etc. But in Fitter, Happier the narrator(?) realizes that it's incredibly robotic to live this life. People are being used by those in power "like a pig in a cage on antibiotics"--being pacified with things like new phones and cool gadgets and houses while being sucked dry. On No Surprises, the narrator is realizing how this life is killing him slowly. In the video, his helmet is slowly filling up with water, drowning him. But he's so complacent with it. This is a good summary of the song. This boring, "perfect" life foisted upon us by some higher powers (not spiritual, but political, economic, etc. politicians and businessmen, perhaps) is not the way to live. But there is seemingly no way out but death. He'd rather die peacefully right now than live in this cage. While our lives are often shielded, we're in our own protective bubbles, or protective helmets like the one Thom wears, if we look a little harder we can see all the corruption, lies, manipulation, etc. that is going on in the world, often run by huge yet nearly invisible organizations, corporations, and 'leaders'. It's a very hopeless song because it reflects real life.
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/
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 is a Simon Joyner cover. Joyner is from Omaha like the band Bright Eyes and Oberst i guess listens listens to him a lot. if you like bright eyes so much you should listen to Mr. Joyner, he's a talented man. This was played on the KCRW performance along with four new songs.
this song is my new years resolution.
the line 'the moon is not your mother' reminds me of that poem by sylvia plath, The Moon and The Yew Tree- "the moon is my mother." Just thought I'd add that in.
I love the " clouds dream disorder. They make faces . they make mud" part
That makes sense that it was Simon Joyners song, i thought the lyrics and everything were a bit different from the usual, i couldn't see him saying some of the things in the song.
The version he did on KCRW is pretty neat. He says that it's the best driving song ever (or something like that) and actually makes a strong effort to duplicate that feel.
The version on the Take it Easy single, on the other hand, is just dumb. The music and the vocals don't really have anything to do with each other (yes, I'm aware that it's mostly car doors slamming), and any effect that one aspect of the song creates is destroyed by the other. Oh well, that's what B-sides are for.
the chorus on this song rocks. i really like that ep.
this is a great song-i like it a lot.what is this KCRW that everyone gets music from?im going to end up feeling like an idiot shortly,but im curious.
i suggest that those who dislike this song, force themselves to listen to it. i hated it at first (i'm more a fan of simpler bright eyes), but after listening to it a few times, i really grew to enjoy it!
its "cutting off your head to spite your shoulders" i think.
and...i absolutely love so few words can describe such a pressing need for freedom and survival.
"get behind the wheel, stay in front of the storm"
you can tell it's not written by conor.
you can always tell, on every cover. not sure why i guess just doesn't sound like someone he'd write