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 won't try to dent you right
or stop your flight
I've known our plight
You know I'm right
I know about your little fling
How you hide your ring
You senseless thing - I'll cut this string
The heat has simmered for a while
It's not my style - so versatile... and with a smile
At anytime, I could explode!
When you kissed your toad
You kissed your princely episode
49%
1% short of half
and less than half
ain't really much of nothing
bit off more than one could bite
and the taste is slight
it leaves this dullish appetite
'bout time I've finally seen the light
and said goodnight
for the sling is tight
we'll lose this fight
in a corner painted white
as you fly your kite
I shun the sight, I've seen the light!
and now I've got to say goodnight, you know I'm right!
49%
1% short of half
and less than half
ain't really much of nothing
I won't try to stop you flight
or chage your night or nothing
less than half
why won't you try
to make this damage better?
Math and imagery
Equates cacophony
Multiplies muteness: a sum better disturbed
For silence subtracts
And shadows divide light
less than half is slight
The heat has simmered for a while...
49%
1% short of half
and less than half
ain't really much of nothing
I won't try to stop you flight
or chage your night or nothing
less than half
why won't you try
to make this damage better?
or stop your flight
I've known our plight
You know I'm right
I know about your little fling
How you hide your ring
You senseless thing - I'll cut this string
The heat has simmered for a while
It's not my style - so versatile... and with a smile
At anytime, I could explode!
When you kissed your toad
You kissed your princely episode
49%
1% short of half
and less than half
ain't really much of nothing
bit off more than one could bite
and the taste is slight
it leaves this dullish appetite
'bout time I've finally seen the light
and said goodnight
for the sling is tight
we'll lose this fight
in a corner painted white
as you fly your kite
I shun the sight, I've seen the light!
and now I've got to say goodnight, you know I'm right!
49%
1% short of half
and less than half
ain't really much of nothing
I won't try to stop you flight
or chage your night or nothing
less than half
why won't you try
to make this damage better?
Math and imagery
Equates cacophony
Multiplies muteness: a sum better disturbed
For silence subtracts
And shadows divide light
less than half is slight
The heat has simmered for a while...
49%
1% short of half
and less than half
ain't really much of nothing
I won't try to stop you flight
or chage your night or nothing
less than half
why won't you try
to make this damage better?
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i do like this song to do with his gf/wife leaving him? 49% could be her saying she wants to stay less than half, like more of her wants to leave - which is why he says he wont stop her i duno i really like the electronic bit which comes in after about a minute