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,
chorus:
I am Violet the Organ Grinder
and I grind all the live long day
I live for the organ, that I am grinding
I'll die, but I won't go away
I am Violet the Organ Grinder
and I grind all the live long day
I live for the organ, that I am grinding
I'll die, but I won't go away
Ooh, wait a minute, I think you better trip on this
Ooh, wait a minute, I think you better trip on this
I was on my way to another room
when an image of you sweetly
appeared in the mirror
perhaps you recall
you and I were neatly
in the middle of a Crystal Ball
that now serves as a reminder
on the wall of you and I the organ grinder
in the greatest concert of them all
I am Violet the Organ Grinder {chorus in the background}
and I grind all the live long day
I live for the organ, that I am grinding
I'll die, but I won't go away
did you know that I still have your stockings?
I keep 'em in a drawer next to your brazier
come hither, my sweet, lend me your attention,
come hither lend my your ear
I do believe that my piano was stolen
I do believe that you want me near
Well I can deal with a sucker
if he's in your mouth,
but I can't deal with insincere
I'm the one that lives in your heart
you love me, no matter what you say
swear you don't miss the organ grinder
grinding on you every day
I am Violet the Organ Grinder (I am Violet the Organ Grinder)
and I grind all the live long day (and I grind all the live long day)
(check this out)
Ooh, wait a minute, I think you better trip on this
I took all the pictures you gave me,
and I placed them right under my bed
and I pumped and I pumped
'til the 'gasm much as jumped
from my feet to the top of my head, oh boy!
I'm Violet the Organ Grinder {chorus in the background}
and I grind all the live long day
I live for the organ, that I am grinding
I'll die, but I will not go away
Ooh, wait a minute, I think you better trip on this
Like a puppy, I licked your devotion
from your neck from your eyes from your ears
when you cry, I became your emotion,
and if you ever cry like that again
I'll be here
'cause I'm Violet the Organ Grinder {chorus in the background}
and I grind all the live long day
I live for the organ, that I'm grinding
I'll die, but I won't go away
not even...
[peace to the mutha]
(who turned the mother out)
[peace to the mutha]
(who turned the mother out)
I am Violet the Organ Grinder
and I grind all the live long day
I live for the organ, that I am grinding
I'll die, but I won't go away
I am Violet the Organ Grinder
and I grind all the live long day
I live for the organ, that I am grinding
I'll die, but I won't go away
I am Violet the Organ Grinder
and I grind all the live long day
I live for the organ, that I am grinding
I'll die, but I won't go away
Ooh, wait a minute, I think you better trip on this
Ooh, wait a minute, I think you better trip on this
I was on my way to another room
when an image of you sweetly
appeared in the mirror
perhaps you recall
you and I were neatly
in the middle of a Crystal Ball
that now serves as a reminder
on the wall of you and I the organ grinder
in the greatest concert of them all
I am Violet the Organ Grinder {chorus in the background}
and I grind all the live long day
I live for the organ, that I am grinding
I'll die, but I won't go away
did you know that I still have your stockings?
I keep 'em in a drawer next to your brazier
come hither, my sweet, lend me your attention,
come hither lend my your ear
I do believe that my piano was stolen
I do believe that you want me near
Well I can deal with a sucker
if he's in your mouth,
but I can't deal with insincere
I'm the one that lives in your heart
you love me, no matter what you say
swear you don't miss the organ grinder
grinding on you every day
I am Violet the Organ Grinder (I am Violet the Organ Grinder)
and I grind all the live long day (and I grind all the live long day)
(check this out)
Ooh, wait a minute, I think you better trip on this
I took all the pictures you gave me,
and I placed them right under my bed
and I pumped and I pumped
'til the 'gasm much as jumped
from my feet to the top of my head, oh boy!
I'm Violet the Organ Grinder {chorus in the background}
and I grind all the live long day
I live for the organ, that I am grinding
I'll die, but I will not go away
Ooh, wait a minute, I think you better trip on this
Like a puppy, I licked your devotion
from your neck from your eyes from your ears
when you cry, I became your emotion,
and if you ever cry like that again
I'll be here
'cause I'm Violet the Organ Grinder {chorus in the background}
and I grind all the live long day
I live for the organ, that I'm grinding
I'll die, but I won't go away
not even...
[peace to the mutha]
(who turned the mother out)
[peace to the mutha]
(who turned the mother out)
I am Violet the Organ Grinder
and I grind all the live long day
I live for the organ, that I am grinding
I'll die, but I won't go away
Lyrics submitted by Jamie Starr
Violet the Organ Grinder Lyrics as written by Prince Rogers Nelson
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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jesus christ in the video on the "pumped, and i pumped" bit! phew! anyone whose seen it will know what i'm talkin' bout!