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,
What got into you got into me too
What came over you is coming over me
I've had enough of all the old stuff
I saw the writing on the wall on my TV
It's another second coming, like it or not, yeah, oh yeah
It's another second coming, like it or not
You better start praying to a new God
Start praying, praying to a new God
Start praying to a new, new God
They're saying the Devil's got a new job
Start praying to a new
A lot of Babel came down the cable
Everybody can be famous for a day
From shore to shore, a big department store
Is all that's left of the American way
It's another second coming, like it or not, yeah, oh yeah
Well, it's another second coming, like it or not
You better start praying to a new God
Start praying, praying to a new God
Start praying to a new, new God
Start praying, what are you afraid of
Start praying to a new
There's a big world
In the street outside
In their uniform of pride
And they've all come
To see a star from the east
Is he man or beast? Decide
Feel like I'm crucified, still I'm not satisfied
The second coming is coming anyway
I see them pray for more on every dance floor
I hear the word go out across the milky way
It's another second coming, like it or not, yeah, oh yeah
It's another second coming, like it or not
You better start praying to a new God
Start praying, praying to a new God
Start praying to a new, new God
Success and money's what he's made of
Start praying to a new God
Start praying, praying on the airwaves
Start praying to a new, new God
Start praying, praying on the freeway
Start praying to a new God
Start praying, praying at the back door
Start praying to a new, new God
Start praying, praying on the dance floor
Start praying to a new God
Start praying, praying to a new God
Start swaying to a new, new God
Start praying, praying to a new God
Start swaying to a new God
Start praying, praying to a new God
Start praying
What came over you is coming over me
I've had enough of all the old stuff
I saw the writing on the wall on my TV
It's another second coming, like it or not, yeah, oh yeah
It's another second coming, like it or not
You better start praying to a new God
Start praying, praying to a new God
Start praying to a new, new God
They're saying the Devil's got a new job
Start praying to a new
A lot of Babel came down the cable
Everybody can be famous for a day
From shore to shore, a big department store
Is all that's left of the American way
It's another second coming, like it or not, yeah, oh yeah
Well, it's another second coming, like it or not
You better start praying to a new God
Start praying, praying to a new God
Start praying to a new, new God
Start praying, what are you afraid of
Start praying to a new
There's a big world
In the street outside
In their uniform of pride
And they've all come
To see a star from the east
Is he man or beast? Decide
Feel like I'm crucified, still I'm not satisfied
The second coming is coming anyway
I see them pray for more on every dance floor
I hear the word go out across the milky way
It's another second coming, like it or not, yeah, oh yeah
It's another second coming, like it or not
You better start praying to a new God
Start praying, praying to a new God
Start praying to a new, new God
Success and money's what he's made of
Start praying to a new God
Start praying, praying on the airwaves
Start praying to a new, new God
Start praying, praying on the freeway
Start praying to a new God
Start praying, praying at the back door
Start praying to a new, new God
Start praying, praying on the dance floor
Start praying to a new God
Start praying, praying to a new God
Start swaying to a new, new God
Start praying, praying to a new God
Start swaying to a new God
Start praying, praying to a new God
Start praying
Lyrics submitted by Major Valor
Praying to a New God Lyrics as written by Jack Hues Chandler
Lyrics © Spirit Music Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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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/
Plastic Bag
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Plastic Bag” is a song about searching for an escape from personal problems and hoping to find it in the lively atmosphere of a Saturday night party. Ed Sheeran tells the story of his friend and the myriad of troubles he is going through. Unable to find any solutions, this friend seeks a last resort in a party and the vanity that comes with it.
“I overthink and have trouble sleepin’ / All purpose gone and don’t have a reason / And there’s no doctor to stop this bleedin’ / So I left home and jumped in the deep end,” Ed Sheeran sings in verse one. He continues by adding that this person is feeling the weight of having disappointed his father and doesn’t have any friends to rely on in this difficult moment. In the second verse, Ed sings about the role of grief in his friend’s plight and his dwindling faith in prayer. “Saturday night is givin’ me a reason to rely on the strobe lights / The lifeline of a promise in a shot glass, and I’ll take that / If you’re givin’ out love from a plastic bag,” Ed sings on the chorus, as his friend turns to new vices in hopes of feeling better.
Midnight
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Midnight” is a song about finding a love that is so true that it provides a calming feeling through every storm. Ed Sheeran reflects on his good fortunes in landing someone with such peace and support and speaks of not fearing the dark days because he knows they’ll all end in the safety nets of her arms.
“Well, good morning there / What a way to start the day / With everything laid bare,” Ed Sheeran sings in the first verse, enthusiastic to be waking up beside his woman. He apologizes for missing her calls in the second verse and promises to return them because for him, speaking to her is the most important thing. “Well, I get lost inside my head / In this chaos, you’re my calm / And I will find my feet again / ‘Cause еven the worst days of my life will always еnd / At midnight in your arms,” sings Ed Sheeran in the chorus, revelling in his good luck.