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,
They run in circles trying to escape,
The deadly teachings of our latter days,
I've seen this one to many times,
A living legends lies,
(Chorus)
Do you recognize my face?
I'm the one you left behind!
I can see it in your eyes!
You know who I am!
Am I everything you hate?
The very worst part of your life!
I'm every choice you tried to hide!
When you couldn't stand.
Oh no not me sir,
Must be some mistake,
Some one just like me,
Maybe the same name,
For humor I let him go on,
I've never been known to be wrong...
(Chorus)
Bridge
There's no one left to save you,
No one left to pray to now!
(Chorus out)
The deadly teachings of our latter days,
I've seen this one to many times,
A living legends lies,
(Chorus)
Do you recognize my face?
I'm the one you left behind!
I can see it in your eyes!
You know who I am!
Am I everything you hate?
The very worst part of your life!
I'm every choice you tried to hide!
When you couldn't stand.
Oh no not me sir,
Must be some mistake,
Some one just like me,
Maybe the same name,
For humor I let him go on,
I've never been known to be wrong...
(Chorus)
Bridge
There's no one left to save you,
No one left to pray to now!
(Chorus out)
Lyrics submitted by L-Kyne
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
More Featured Meanings
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.
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.
Blue
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Blue” is a song about a love that is persisting in the discomfort of the person experiencing the emotion. Ed Sheeran reflects on love lost, and although he wishes his former partner find happiness, he cannot but admit his feelings are still very much there. He expresses the realization that he might never find another on this stringed instrumental by Aaron Dessner.
Head > Heels
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Head > Heels” is a track that aims to capture what it feels like to experience romance that exceeds expectations. Ed Sheeran dedicates his album outro to a lover who has blessed him with a unique experience that he seeks to describe through the song’s nuanced lyrics.
this song is fucking awsome!!!