I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
Deborah Conway and Dorland Bray
You weren't the first to send me red roses
And you weren't the first to give me away
I'm not the only one to have my fingers burnt
But that was a one-way conversation and you got the final word
Forget-me-nots forgotten
White roses
Regrets and promises collide
I'm still flying the flag for you
Blue heart red eyes and white roses
It's true
Lovers swap red roses but white ones from you
Spell the end of everything fine
Yellow roses are for jealously but you
Don't send me them
You send the ones that say we're through
You weren't to know that something was making me blue
Keeping all the sunshine away
You said forever and I took you at your word
White roses make a lie of everything I've heard
You weren't the first to send me red roses
And you weren't the first to give me away
I'm not the only one to have my fingers burnt
But that was a one-way conversation and you got the final word
Forget-me-nots forgotten
White roses
Regrets and promises collide
I'm still flying the flag for you
Blue heart red eyes and white roses
It's true
Lovers swap red roses but white ones from you
Spell the end of everything fine
Yellow roses are for jealously but you
Don't send me them
You send the ones that say we're through
You weren't to know that something was making me blue
Keeping all the sunshine away
You said forever and I took you at your word
White roses make a lie of everything I've heard
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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,
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