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,
I wrote a protest song about you, about you
Set off on a long march without you, without you x2
I wrote a protest song about you, about you
About whats left that lies between us, I'm walking
So many things we're burning for
I set myself on fire without you, without you
I wrote a song about you, about you
That not a soul was meant to hear, except you
I wrote a protest song about you, about you
I cheated gravity to chase you, to chase you
And through the burning space between us, you're falling
You have a long way, long way to fall
I set myself on fire without you
I wrote a song about you, about you
That not a soul was meant to hear, except you
So many things we're burning for (Repeat 7X)
Set off on a long march without you, without you x2
I wrote a protest song about you, about you
About whats left that lies between us, I'm walking
So many things we're burning for
I set myself on fire without you, without you
I wrote a song about you, about you
That not a soul was meant to hear, except you
I wrote a protest song about you, about you
I cheated gravity to chase you, to chase you
And through the burning space between us, you're falling
You have a long way, long way to fall
I set myself on fire without you
I wrote a song about you, about you
That not a soul was meant to hear, except you
So many things we're burning for (Repeat 7X)
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i just realized how much i adore the line "i cheated gravity to chase you, to chase you."
NO, it's not about a relationship, at not one that's currently on-going. Notice, the speaker consistently tells the audience that she's doing things "Without You". I think this person let them down, the audience was expecting them to be there for them but they weren't there for them. As a result, she's having to handle these things on her own.
But, I could be wrong. I think the lines "and through the burning space between us, you're falling, you have a long way to fall" mean that things aren't over between them. Maybe the speaker still has feelings for the audience.
First of all I'm pretty sure the first line is "I wrote, I wrote a song about you, about you" not a "protest song"
This song is deff. about a relationship that has ended ubruptly. The speaker has extrememely bitter feelings towards their past partner and is walking away from them. This song is pretty much the "cold shoulder" put into lyrics.
As far as the "I'll set myself on fire without you" I believe this simply means the speaker is ready to take risks without their previous partner.
the line is 100% "I wrote a protest song ..." that is for sure.
It sounds more like he (for sake of argument, he, could be she) left her, and she is furious. Long marches and setting yourself on fire are forms of protest, and protests are done because you're angry about someone/thing. Cheating gravity suggests to me he swept her off her feet, and the burning space between them suggests he dumped her abruptly and she is really mad. You would think they both would have a long way to fall, but she specifically calls out that he has a long way to fall, suggesting she will be mad for a long time.<br /> <br /> As for the last lyric (so many things worth burning for), I'm not so sure - it could mean it was worth it and that she would get back together in a heartbeat, or it could mean he was a waste of time and there are many other things worth being mad about. Maybe both.
Obviously about a past love she's not over yet.
i interpret this a little differently. maybe it's because of my current situation. i'm majorly lusting after someone across the country - its like mutual yet unrequited love. there are all of these intense feelings that havent really been put out in the open but everyone surrounding us wants "details, now!" ...in the end it just has to do with what we want and what we cannot have... with the ultimate self-destruction. of course.
so emo, i am.
i agree with chainsaw arm 100%
Also, it should be "I wrote a protest song about you."
i think it could also be about a current relationship where there is some major turmoil between the two, but ultimately she is so completely invested in this person, that being with that person is what drives her the most. idk... that's how i see it.
this lyrics are correct for the most part... except for a few verses.
here are the 100% CORRECT lyrics:
BURNING UP
i wrote a protest song about you, about you set off on the long march without you, without you
set off on the long march without you, without you
i wrote a protest song about you, about you about what's left that lies between us, i'm walking so many things worth burning for
i set myself on fire without you, without you i wrote a protest song about you, about you that not a soul was meant to hear, except you
i wrote a protest song about you, about you i cheated gravity to chase you, to chase you and through the burning space between us, you're falling you have a long way, long way to fall
i set myself on fire without you, without you i wrote a protest song about you, about you that not a soul was meant to hear, except you
so many things worth burning for (7x)
I'm pretty sure I know what the meaning of this song is.. or least in my own experience it makes perfect sense..
It's about taking a chance for some one that you think is worth it. It's about putting yourself out there and making a blind leap.. but in her case..and mine.. the other person didnt take that leap as well.
When she says "I wrote a protest song about you" .... I take it as.. a song that she wrote as she was taking the leap...
Maybe she was in a relationship and the OTHER person was also in their own relationship with some one else..
The person didnt leave their significant other..
They're burning because theyre doing every thing wrong.. but theres passion.. even though on paper it makes them both look bad. Like the idea that if you are a cheater..you're going to hell.... or sinning in general.
"that not a soul was meant to hear except you" ---- secrecy... in their involvement
"i set myself of fire without you" ---- she took the leap without him because she felt that even though doing it..would be the wrong thing to do ... it was worth it.... to be with him... but in the end... he didnt do it... and she set herself on fire and symbolically destroyed her own relationship and made her life difficult because of it
"i cheated gravity to chase you" -- in cheating on whomever she was with.. she gave up stability, safety and the things that were grounding her to chase this new guy.
And maybe he came around.. but it was too late because it was such a firey mess... or maybe he only gave up part of himself and didnt really commit to leaving his own significant other..
"You've got a long, long way to fall"
... But regardless... "so many things we're burning for" .... theres so much that we want, theres so much passion ... but also... the things that we've done you could say theres so many things we're going to hell for... OR even that..things have gotten so crazy that..we're just going to crash and burn..
But overall i think its about some one shes always going to care about... and she was let down by them... and is just still kind of in shock from it..