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,
You've learnt no lessons
All that time so cheaply spent
There's no youth culture
Only masks they let you rent
Travels, travels in Nihilon
We've seen, no Jesus come and gone
Fashion, their vampire
Drapes itself across your back
As you fall from style
It waits rebirth on its rack
Building your whimsy
Hypnotising you to need
Dance goes full circle
One step ahead of your greed
You've learnt no lessons
All those years to get it right
Flashes of promise
Burn out faster than strobe light
All that time so cheaply spent
There's no youth culture
Only masks they let you rent
Travels, travels in Nihilon
We've seen, no Jesus come and gone
Fashion, their vampire
Drapes itself across your back
As you fall from style
It waits rebirth on its rack
Building your whimsy
Hypnotising you to need
Dance goes full circle
One step ahead of your greed
You've learnt no lessons
All those years to get it right
Flashes of promise
Burn out faster than strobe light
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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.
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/
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.
Just discovered this song. XTC's back catalog is so deep, it's astounding. They were doing things in the late 70's and early 80's that people are killing themselves trying to reproduce successfully today. ANYWAY, I've never heard anything like this song...it's horrific, tribal clang is perfectly matched with the tone of the lyrics. It approaches the futility of keeping up with trends, trying to be in touch with youth culture, fashion, consumerism, etc. "You've learnt no lessons." Let it go, grow up, be yourself.
I do agree with you about XTC, lunaharpua. Someone said they are the "great lost pop band", and, yes, they are... in fact, I don't really love that song, this kind of obscure, rageous, very repititive sound doesn't fit them very well... but the lyrics are really good. Two lines in particular, that should be written near every highschool or faculty : "There's no youth culture / Only masks they let you rent" ... nothing left to say Lunaharpua, have you heard "The Somnambulist"? One of XTC's most unknown, enigmatic and beautiful... Dig that band to the core !
I just wanna say:
You two are awesome.
Anyway, cheers. :)