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,
This is the soundtrack of my life
The sound by which I live and die
The things I've seen I can't describe
This is the soundtrack of my life
Watching the movie of your life
You see things in a different light
You see mistakes and tragedies
You have avoided so easily
You see the times when there were lies
Now it's yourself that you despise
And as you see the movie play
And as you hear the words you say
It's the soundtrack of my life
The sound by which I live and die
Trying to be true true to yourself
Surviving your own mental health
But pharmaceuticals today
Are not what you thought they'd be
Seeking your own oblivion
But you are not the only one
Join the queue and stand a line
If there's no victim there's no crime
It's the soundtrack of my life
The sound by which I live and die
It's the soundtrack of my life
The sound by which I live and die
This is my life
This is the soundtrack to my life
The sound by which I live and die
The things I've seen I can't describe
This is the soundtrack of my life
This is my life
The sound by which I live and die
The things I've seen I can't describe
This is the soundtrack of my life
Watching the movie of your life
You see things in a different light
You see mistakes and tragedies
You have avoided so easily
You see the times when there were lies
Now it's yourself that you despise
And as you see the movie play
And as you hear the words you say
It's the soundtrack of my life
The sound by which I live and die
Trying to be true true to yourself
Surviving your own mental health
But pharmaceuticals today
Are not what you thought they'd be
Seeking your own oblivion
But you are not the only one
Join the queue and stand a line
If there's no victim there's no crime
It's the soundtrack of my life
The sound by which I live and die
It's the soundtrack of my life
The sound by which I live and die
This is my life
This is the soundtrack to my life
The sound by which I live and die
The things I've seen I can't describe
This is the soundtrack of my life
This is my life
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
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/
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.
Punchline
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran sings about missing his former partner and learning important life lessons in the process on “Punchline.” This track tells a story of battling to get rid of emotions for a former lover, whom he now realized might not have loved him the same way. He’s now caught between accepting that fact and learning life lessons from it and going back to beg her for another chance.
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.