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.
Look at me Coyote
Don't let a little road dust put you off
You can't judge a book
Well you know that stuff
There's a tear in my upholstery
And a hole in my shoe
But don't you just wish that you could
Make half of the speed I do
Speed I do, speed I do, speed I do
You can't catch me Coyote
Though there may be blood on the tracks
There may be some bridges burning
Behind our backs
But I got my laundry on the backseat
And an itinerary too
And don't you just wish that you could
Make half of the speed I do
Speed I do, speed I do, speed I do
Speed I do, speed I do, speed I do
Now I'm a speck on your horizon
Getting smaller fast
An ambush wouldn't be surprising
I hope it's better than your last
Once again the roadrunner
Leaves the coyote in the dust
You've got another plan of action
But we all know it ain't never gonna work
It must be hard having dog dreams
That never come true
And don't you just wish that you could
Make half of the speed I do
Speed I do, speed I do, speed I do
Speed I do, speed I do, speed I do
Don't let a little road dust put you off
You can't judge a book
Well you know that stuff
There's a tear in my upholstery
And a hole in my shoe
But don't you just wish that you could
Make half of the speed I do
Speed I do, speed I do, speed I do
You can't catch me Coyote
Though there may be blood on the tracks
There may be some bridges burning
Behind our backs
But I got my laundry on the backseat
And an itinerary too
And don't you just wish that you could
Make half of the speed I do
Speed I do, speed I do, speed I do
Speed I do, speed I do, speed I do
Now I'm a speck on your horizon
Getting smaller fast
An ambush wouldn't be surprising
I hope it's better than your last
Once again the roadrunner
Leaves the coyote in the dust
You've got another plan of action
But we all know it ain't never gonna work
It must be hard having dog dreams
That never come true
And don't you just wish that you could
Make half of the speed I do
Speed I do, speed I do, speed I do
Speed I do, speed I do, speed I do
Lyrics submitted by Speak Eazy
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Dreamwalker
Silent Planet
Silent Planet
Gentle Hour
Yo La Tengo
Yo La Tengo
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,
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/
Amazing
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran tells a story of unsuccessfully trying to feel “Amazing.” This track is about the being weighed down by emotional stress despite valiant attempts to find some positivity in the situation. This track was written by Ed Sheeran from the perspective of his friend. From the track, we see this person fall deeper into the negative thoughts and slide further down the path of mental torment with every lyric.
What? Really? There should be no confusion about these lyrics. At least not to me, a guy with over 1,000 HP in his car.
The coyote is the cops. I am the road runner.
The first part describes what car enthusiast call a "sleeper" A fast car that you couldn't tell by looking at it. Mine wouldn't qualify as a sleeper but you wouldn't expect it or any street car to have as much power as it does, so in that respect I can relate --
"Don't let a little road dust put you off You can't judge a book Well you know that stuff There's a tear in my upholstery And a hole in my shoe"
Then he speaks to how he knows the cops' tactics and that they do catch others...but not him. And that's without trying cause, he's just out running errands on a daily drive ---
"You can't catch me coyote Though there may be blood on the tracks There may be some bridges burning Behind our backs But I got my laundry on the backseat And an itinerary too"
Then, after he dusted them, he knows they'll call in for reinforcements, other cars or perhaps the occasional helicopter (yep, been there and escaped). Even that has failed in the past, and the road runner would like more of a challenge this time --
"Now I'm a speck on your horizon Getting smaller fast An ambush wouldn't be surprising I hope it's better than your last"
And Alas, they fail to get him again --
" Once again the roadrunner Leaves the coyote in the dirt You've got another plan of action But we all know it ain't never gonna work"
At that point there's nothing more to do but gloat --
"Once again the roadrunner Leaves the coyote in the dirt You've got another plan of action But we all know it ain't never gonna work It must be hard having dog dreams That never come true And don't you just wish that you could Make half of the speed I do"
And on the occasion I do get a ticket, I hire a lawyer and take it to the limit. They usually settle for a "exhibition driving" offense, which is a $100 fine and no points, and doesn't show on your record to raise your insurance (who has no idea of the power of my car). That outcome also pisses the cops off and for me it's just another win to play this song to, smoke a stogie and rejoice in my gloating.
Better luck next time in your government issue slowmobile Pig...um, I mean Coyote. Don't you just wish you could make half of the speed I do?
People used to root for us (a la Crazy Larry Dirty Mary, Vanishing Point, etc.), now they call us assholes, because they prefer to stare at computers all day, and think we should respect those government sanctioned citizen killers. They probably still think you (Mark) doing it is cool, but call in on me on their cell phones and try to record me from their Prius. We're a dying breed. Won't matter in a decade or so. They'll all be lemmings in electric, self-driving cars. I'll have to move somewhere else. Ironically the cops need us, and when we're gone, at least all of the coyotes will be out of a job...
Thanks for understanding Mark. You rockers with unlimited car money usually share my passion.