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,
And now it seems as if we're used to the chagrin
We made our beds, and now we hate where these beds be
Took nothing at all to part this red sea
I'm a shackled child singing the good song of freedom
They've got no pride, they interrupt our grieving
Teardrops dropping for the pain of the world
My best friend dies when she was just a young girl
Left me here to fend for myself
Now the pain never leaves, we just learn to cope
So when the devil needs hanging, will you tie up the rope
And shout pull? Let's put an end to this bull
Zen thing. How many years before we practice what we preach?
How many tears before we truly clinch the peak?
Only to find that there is no honey on the moon
Official goon with the unofficial croon
I'm all things to all men
All of the women, all the children
Just say when and I'll take you to my TARDIS
Who's the hardest? Who's the hardest?
I'm all things to all men
All of the women, all the children
Just say when and I'll take you to my TARDIS
Who's the hardest? Who's the hardest?
Sixteen bar cycles, heart felt recital
From the wacky blacky man, they should have called me Michael
Look at the monster you make, look at the monster you pay
But you claim no responsibility
Cause it's each to his self in these times that we live
Does God have a sense of humour? Then the joke's on us
Cause we're chasing our tails for how long?
The tussle makes us how strong?
Vintage poor people fun
If we could ease up on these booze and fags
Then, just maybe, life wouldn't seem so mad
"Be a man", my dad said, but what the hell he know?
He lost his dreams, he lost his flow
And I don't wanna be alone
I'm born king, so where's my throne?
I'm too intense, I'm too deep
I'm too nice for life
So what makes this place so nervous?
I'm all things to all men
All of the women, all the children
Just say when and I'll take you to my TARDIS
Who's the hardest? Who's the hardest?
I'm all things to all men
All of the women, all the children
Just say when and I'll take you to my TARDIS
Who's the hardest? Who's the hardest?
I'm all things to all men
All of the women, all the children
Just say when and I'll take you to my TARDIS
Who's the hardest? Who's the hardest?
I'm all things to all men
All of the women, all the children
Just say when and I'll take you to my TARDIS
Who's the hardest? Who's the hardest?
Look at the monster you make, look at the monster you pay
But you claim no responsibility
But you claim none
We're searching for Jesus
But I'll be damned if I'll be crucified
By ten thousand spies
Compulsive lies
They hate me
They love me
They hate me
'Cause I'm all things to all men
All of the women, all the children
Just say when and I'll take you to my TARDIS
Who's the hardest? Who's the hardest?
We made our beds, and now we hate where these beds be
Took nothing at all to part this red sea
I'm a shackled child singing the good song of freedom
They've got no pride, they interrupt our grieving
Teardrops dropping for the pain of the world
My best friend dies when she was just a young girl
Left me here to fend for myself
Now the pain never leaves, we just learn to cope
So when the devil needs hanging, will you tie up the rope
And shout pull? Let's put an end to this bull
Zen thing. How many years before we practice what we preach?
How many tears before we truly clinch the peak?
Only to find that there is no honey on the moon
Official goon with the unofficial croon
I'm all things to all men
All of the women, all the children
Just say when and I'll take you to my TARDIS
Who's the hardest? Who's the hardest?
I'm all things to all men
All of the women, all the children
Just say when and I'll take you to my TARDIS
Who's the hardest? Who's the hardest?
Sixteen bar cycles, heart felt recital
From the wacky blacky man, they should have called me Michael
Look at the monster you make, look at the monster you pay
But you claim no responsibility
Cause it's each to his self in these times that we live
Does God have a sense of humour? Then the joke's on us
Cause we're chasing our tails for how long?
The tussle makes us how strong?
Vintage poor people fun
If we could ease up on these booze and fags
Then, just maybe, life wouldn't seem so mad
"Be a man", my dad said, but what the hell he know?
He lost his dreams, he lost his flow
And I don't wanna be alone
I'm born king, so where's my throne?
I'm too intense, I'm too deep
I'm too nice for life
So what makes this place so nervous?
I'm all things to all men
All of the women, all the children
Just say when and I'll take you to my TARDIS
Who's the hardest? Who's the hardest?
I'm all things to all men
All of the women, all the children
Just say when and I'll take you to my TARDIS
Who's the hardest? Who's the hardest?
I'm all things to all men
All of the women, all the children
Just say when and I'll take you to my TARDIS
Who's the hardest? Who's the hardest?
I'm all things to all men
All of the women, all the children
Just say when and I'll take you to my TARDIS
Who's the hardest? Who's the hardest?
Look at the monster you make, look at the monster you pay
But you claim no responsibility
But you claim none
We're searching for Jesus
But I'll be damned if I'll be crucified
By ten thousand spies
Compulsive lies
They hate me
They love me
They hate me
'Cause I'm all things to all men
All of the women, all the children
Just say when and I'll take you to my TARDIS
Who's the hardest? Who's the hardest?
Lyrics submitted by josmdu, edited by jontangerine
All Things to All Men Lyrics as written by Jason Swinscoe Carolyn Leigh
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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This song makes me happy for any kids Roots Manuva ever has. They probably have a good Dad! Also makes me want to give him a hug, even though I'm a straight man and not black or any other cheesy reason. I still consider awake human beings my brothers and sisters - and some people deserve respect to the deepest level. Funny thing is he could be a right prick in real life, just like anyone in the media, as you never know the truth until you have evidence! But just for this song, I'd shake his hand at least. Much love from S. London.