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,
We talked
Together sharpening a knife
Like killing partners for a life
Hey we can hide the bodies on the ride home
Now here we are
We're licking skin to wipe us clean
Strike a match, pour gasoline
Ditch the scene and watch this city burn
Sleep, my lap will be your pillow, steering wheel turn
I'll be reaching for the stars with you (honey)
Who cares if no one else believes?
Yeah, so I, set fire to everyone around
But I told you, I told you, we'd do it
So ha-ha-ha-ha
Ha-ha-ha
Yeah, we walk
We drive
To leave the past and clear the mind
To watch the sunset set its time
I swear you'll find
I'm your ride home
Now close your eyes
It's getting dark and the highway's clear
No sign of life from front to rear
Is it just you my dear
On the ride home?
We're going home
I'll be reaching for the stars with you (honey)
Who cares if no one else believes?
Yeah, so I, set fire to everyone around
But I told you, I told you, we'd do it
So ha-ha-ha-ha
Ha-ha-ha
Yeah, we walk
We talked
Together sharpening a knife
Like killing partners for a life
Hey we can hide the bodies on the ride home
'Cause we're going home
I'll be reaching for the stars with you (honey)
Who cares if no one else believes?
Yeah, so I, set fire to everyone around
But I told you, I told you, we'd do it
So ha-ha-ha-ha (we walk)
Ha-ha-ha
Oh yeah, we walk
We walk
Yeah, we walk
Yeah, we walk
Together sharpening a knife
Like killing partners for a life
Hey we can hide the bodies on the ride home
Now here we are
We're licking skin to wipe us clean
Strike a match, pour gasoline
Ditch the scene and watch this city burn
Sleep, my lap will be your pillow, steering wheel turn
I'll be reaching for the stars with you (honey)
Who cares if no one else believes?
Yeah, so I, set fire to everyone around
But I told you, I told you, we'd do it
So ha-ha-ha-ha
Ha-ha-ha
Yeah, we walk
We drive
To leave the past and clear the mind
To watch the sunset set its time
I swear you'll find
I'm your ride home
Now close your eyes
It's getting dark and the highway's clear
No sign of life from front to rear
Is it just you my dear
On the ride home?
We're going home
I'll be reaching for the stars with you (honey)
Who cares if no one else believes?
Yeah, so I, set fire to everyone around
But I told you, I told you, we'd do it
So ha-ha-ha-ha
Ha-ha-ha
Yeah, we walk
We talked
Together sharpening a knife
Like killing partners for a life
Hey we can hide the bodies on the ride home
'Cause we're going home
I'll be reaching for the stars with you (honey)
Who cares if no one else believes?
Yeah, so I, set fire to everyone around
But I told you, I told you, we'd do it
So ha-ha-ha-ha (we walk)
Ha-ha-ha
Oh yeah, we walk
We walk
Yeah, we walk
Yeah, we walk
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I guess i kinda have a different perspective as to what this song is getting at... to me this song has a depressing feel to it, and i kinda feel that the couple is contemplating a radical escape to their lives which are not as they dreamed they would be.. I think the song is about two people who have finally realized that life is not what they thought it was and just wanna be with each other and nothing more... I think the song is directed to the pain and anguish leading up to and planning the eventual suicide of these two lovers so they can be together for ever... The impression that i got...