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,
The old covent garden
I remember only too well
The girl's a fool
She broke the rule
She hurt him hard
This time you will break down
She's lost his trust
And so she must
All is lost
The System has broke down
Romance has broke down
This boy is crack'in up
This boy has broke down
She plays it hard
She plays it tough
But that's enough
The love is over
She's broke his heart and that is rough
But in the end you'll soon recover
The romance is over
This boy is crack'in up
This boy has broken down
This boy is crack'in up
This boy has broke down
I've been spending my money
In the old town
It's not the same honey
When you're not around
I've been spending my time
In the old town
I sure miss you honey
Now you're not around
Now you're not around
This old town
Ola
Ola
This boy is crack'in up
This boy has broken down
This boy is crack'in up
This boy has broke down
This boy is crack'in up
This boy has broken down
This boy is crack'in up
This boy has broke down
This boy is crack'in up
This boy has broken down
This boy is crack'in up
This boy has broke down
I remember only too well
The girl's a fool
She broke the rule
She hurt him hard
This time you will break down
She's lost his trust
And so she must
All is lost
The System has broke down
Romance has broke down
This boy is crack'in up
This boy has broke down
She plays it hard
She plays it tough
But that's enough
The love is over
She's broke his heart and that is rough
But in the end you'll soon recover
The romance is over
This boy is crack'in up
This boy has broken down
This boy is crack'in up
This boy has broke down
I've been spending my money
In the old town
It's not the same honey
When you're not around
I've been spending my time
In the old town
I sure miss you honey
Now you're not around
Now you're not around
This old town
Ola
Ola
This boy is crack'in up
This boy has broken down
This boy is crack'in up
This boy has broke down
This boy is crack'in up
This boy has broken down
This boy is crack'in up
This boy has broke down
This boy is crack'in up
This boy has broken down
This boy is crack'in up
This boy has broke down
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What a classic song. One of my favorite songs of all time. i wish i could find the video for it, I've even written to Irelands national TV company asking of they might have a copy as it is of special significance to me (i think my Dad is in it, all i know is that it was shot in dublin around 1982 I think and there is a beautiful shot of the old haypenny bridge in it))to have the video and they never responded to me. oh well!
@MiracleDrug 14 years later, but if you're still looking for it, it's up at the RTE archives here:<br /> <br /> rte.ie/archives/2016/0518/789174-old-town/
Whoops, some of the link got cut off. Here it is.<br /> <br /> rte.ie/archives/2016/0518/789174-old-town/
Whoops, some of the link got cut off. Here it is.<br /> <br /> rte.ie/archives/2016/0518/789174-old-town/