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,
Sweet black magic coming down the line.
Sweet black magic coming down the line.
Don't worry little honey,
'Bout the money you'll be feelin' fine.
Cause I'm gonna see the doctor,
Got some money, gonna get us high.
Sweet Los Angeles in the fall,
Sweet Los Angeles in the fall,
As pretty as a picture,
Ain't nobody out shakin at all.
Don't worry little honey,
Got some money, gonna get us off.
Sweet black magic,
Sweet black magic,
Sweet black magic coming down the line
Sweet black magic coming down the line.
Sweet black magic coming down the line.
Well I'm gonna see the doctor,
Gonna get us what our money can buy.
Don't worry little honey,
Got some money, gonna get us high.
Sweet black magic,
Sweet black magic,
Sweet black magic coming down the line
Sweet black magic coming down the line.
Don't worry little honey,
'Bout the money you'll be feelin' fine.
Cause I'm gonna see the doctor,
Got some money, gonna get us high.
Sweet Los Angeles in the fall,
Sweet Los Angeles in the fall,
As pretty as a picture,
Ain't nobody out shakin at all.
Don't worry little honey,
Got some money, gonna get us off.
Sweet black magic,
Sweet black magic,
Sweet black magic coming down the line
Sweet black magic coming down the line.
Sweet black magic coming down the line.
Well I'm gonna see the doctor,
Gonna get us what our money can buy.
Don't worry little honey,
Got some money, gonna get us high.
Sweet black magic,
Sweet black magic,
Sweet black magic coming down the line
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.
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.
Amazing
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran tells a story of unsuccessfully trying to feel “Amazing.” This track is about the being weighed down by emotional stress despite valiant attempts to find some positivity in the situation. This track was written by Ed Sheeran from the perspective of his friend. From the track, we see this person fall deeper into the negative thoughts and slide further down the path of mental torment with every lyric.
American Town
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran shares a short story of reconnecting with an old flame on “American Town.” The track is about a holiday Ed Sheeran spends with his countrywoman who resides in America. The two are back together after a long period apart, and get around to enjoying a bunch of fun activities while rekindling the flames of their romance.
Black tar heroin.