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 tried it, I couldn't find it
Now I just wanna get back to me
Aw baby, hoo, hoo
Back into the man I used to be
I tried it, I couldn't find it
Now I just wanna get back to me
Aw baby, hoo, hoo
Back into the man I used to be
Things that I said I wouldn't do, I did 'em
Secrets below the surface of truth I hid 'em
This mankind is past, but can he erase
The tears of a million years is human race
Of animals, that taught to walk upright
Then slave all day and fall in a trance at night
Flowing the planet, tryna find missing links
Like the men we used to be and are we supposed to think
Mysteries, maybe not
It's getting hot, we better configure the plot, but
I hold a pen with the grip so tight
That'll squeeze the ink out of the page, and write a song for the people
Came up from the underground, now I write above on a hovercraft sound
This microphone, like an an amphetamine
Keeping me clean, speaking in dreams
So nature can intervene, just for a scene
I tried it, I couldn't find it
Now I just wanna get back to me
Aw baby, hoo, hoo
Back into the man I used to be
I walk the long path alone, my feet hurt
Lost some friends along the way, I did dirt
I went to church, I tried everything
From leaving my body, to watching the birds sing
For hours, so I could feel heavenly powers
Had been across the universe and inside of flowers
But what is it worth? I'm still just a man on the earth
When rappers are acting like man tan
Can I be candid? I can't stand it
Rap bandit, got Kevin acting frantic
I wanna swing my sword, decapitate
But what is a man if he acts like an ape?
So I sit back, planning my great escape
Load up my EPS and peruse my record crate
The man I used to be, I can only see by looking beyond me
So what is reality? I don't know
I tried it, I couldn't find it
Now I just wanna get back to me
Aw baby, hoo, hoo
Back into the man I used to be
Back into the man I used to be
Back into the man I used to be
I tried it, I couldn't find it
Aw baby, hoo, hoo, hoo
Oops, wrong song, stop it, stop it
You know what?
I woke up in the mornin'
I took a trip to the corner store
That's when I heard my calling
But I'd never heard the voice of truth before
So I kept on walking
Pretended I didn't see
Walked by a window and my reflection said to me
You could try all the same
But you'll never know this mystery
There's no pilot on your plane
So you're not the man you used to be
Try all the game, but you'll never know this mystery
When your pilot has no plane
Said you're the man you used to be seen
Holler and you holla, you follow, you fall
You holler and you holla, follow, you fall
You holler and you holla, you follow, you fall
You holler and you holla, follow, you fall
You holler and you holla, you follow, you fall
You holler and you holla, follow, you fall
Yo, microphones get ripped holdin' us back
K dash rockin' it out, rockin' the coldest style
Making it up, go along singing my song
Woke up, in the early morn' didn't know what was going on
Whatever, I don't really know
Flows like an immaculate goat what up, whatever
Now I just wanna get back to me
Aw baby, hoo, hoo
Back into the man I used to be
I tried it, I couldn't find it
Now I just wanna get back to me
Aw baby, hoo, hoo
Back into the man I used to be
Things that I said I wouldn't do, I did 'em
Secrets below the surface of truth I hid 'em
This mankind is past, but can he erase
The tears of a million years is human race
Of animals, that taught to walk upright
Then slave all day and fall in a trance at night
Flowing the planet, tryna find missing links
Like the men we used to be and are we supposed to think
Mysteries, maybe not
It's getting hot, we better configure the plot, but
I hold a pen with the grip so tight
That'll squeeze the ink out of the page, and write a song for the people
Came up from the underground, now I write above on a hovercraft sound
This microphone, like an an amphetamine
Keeping me clean, speaking in dreams
So nature can intervene, just for a scene
I tried it, I couldn't find it
Now I just wanna get back to me
Aw baby, hoo, hoo
Back into the man I used to be
I walk the long path alone, my feet hurt
Lost some friends along the way, I did dirt
I went to church, I tried everything
From leaving my body, to watching the birds sing
For hours, so I could feel heavenly powers
Had been across the universe and inside of flowers
But what is it worth? I'm still just a man on the earth
When rappers are acting like man tan
Can I be candid? I can't stand it
Rap bandit, got Kevin acting frantic
I wanna swing my sword, decapitate
But what is a man if he acts like an ape?
So I sit back, planning my great escape
Load up my EPS and peruse my record crate
The man I used to be, I can only see by looking beyond me
So what is reality? I don't know
I tried it, I couldn't find it
Now I just wanna get back to me
Aw baby, hoo, hoo
Back into the man I used to be
Back into the man I used to be
Back into the man I used to be
I tried it, I couldn't find it
Aw baby, hoo, hoo, hoo
Oops, wrong song, stop it, stop it
You know what?
I woke up in the mornin'
I took a trip to the corner store
That's when I heard my calling
But I'd never heard the voice of truth before
So I kept on walking
Pretended I didn't see
Walked by a window and my reflection said to me
You could try all the same
But you'll never know this mystery
There's no pilot on your plane
So you're not the man you used to be
Try all the game, but you'll never know this mystery
When your pilot has no plane
Said you're the man you used to be seen
Holler and you holla, you follow, you fall
You holler and you holla, follow, you fall
You holler and you holla, you follow, you fall
You holler and you holla, follow, you fall
You holler and you holla, you follow, you fall
You holler and you holla, follow, you fall
Yo, microphones get ripped holdin' us back
K dash rockin' it out, rockin' the coldest style
Making it up, go along singing my song
Woke up, in the early morn' didn't know what was going on
Whatever, I don't really know
Flows like an immaculate goat what up, whatever
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More Featured Meanings
Gentle Hour
Yo La Tengo
Yo La Tengo
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/
Magical
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
How would you describe the feeling of being in love? For Ed Sheeran, the word is “Magical.” in HIS three-minute album opener, he makes an attempt to capture the beauty and delicacy of true love with words. He describes the magic of it all over a bright Pop song produced by Aaron Dessner.
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.
Does he say 'I tried it, I couldn't fight it'?