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.
One day I'd like to be rich and famous
Maybe be funny like Andy and Ames
Be on TV and sing like Stevie
And have a girl who'd never leave me
But I'd really like a place
Where there could be no war
A bright and shiny world where there ain't no poor
Where there's opportunity, peace and unity
Where people can be what they want to be
And where Apartheid could never happen again
Where people don't judge you by the color of your skin
Where I hold your hand and you hold mine
Where a helpful hand is never hard to find
A place where people care
Where no one could bear
When someone's hungry, with nothin' there
Where the heart is never cold
The young are never needy,
The old are never poor,
And the rich are never greedy
So bring the power to the people
The people to the power
Cuz now is the time, this is the hour
To stop thinkin' about war start thinkin' about peace
So on this life, we can get another lease
With a lesson to learn
A new direction to turn
So we can take it to the sky where we belong
Cuz 'fore to long, we been to wrong
We've got the right notes
But we play the wrong song
Stop thinkin' with your wallet
Think with your mind
So we can move ahead
Instead of behind
We got the people selling drugs
People are dying
Politicians talking and we know they're lyin'
Taxes for the poor, none for the rich
People starvin' here in American
Now ain't that a bummer
And now my heats been turned off
From my job, I've been laid off
What am I gonna do?
Well, is the shape I'm in
Because of my dark skin?
Now I know that can't be true
But since we're all down here
Let's work to make it better
Do our best for what it's worth
But you know the rules are bent
When you have to pay rent
Just to live on earth
Talk about justice
We're gonna do something now
That's gonna be really slick
We're gonna listen to Mr. Fleck and Chick
I'm gonna say one more thing
Then I'll get outta your face
How 'bout a sound
With a little bass
And we got missles on the ground
Lasers in space
Underground shelters, just in case
That something goes boom
Certain doom
Cuz in our hearts we didn't make enough room
For the love
It comes from up above
Let's stop talking war
And let's offer the dove
Cuz when it's done it's over
When it's over, it's done
We look back at the wars
And see nobobdy won
It's time to make a better place
For out daughters and our sons
Or life will be a blast
Pardon the pun
Maybe be funny like Andy and Ames
Be on TV and sing like Stevie
And have a girl who'd never leave me
But I'd really like a place
Where there could be no war
A bright and shiny world where there ain't no poor
Where there's opportunity, peace and unity
Where people can be what they want to be
And where Apartheid could never happen again
Where people don't judge you by the color of your skin
Where I hold your hand and you hold mine
Where a helpful hand is never hard to find
A place where people care
Where no one could bear
When someone's hungry, with nothin' there
Where the heart is never cold
The young are never needy,
The old are never poor,
And the rich are never greedy
So bring the power to the people
The people to the power
Cuz now is the time, this is the hour
To stop thinkin' about war start thinkin' about peace
So on this life, we can get another lease
With a lesson to learn
A new direction to turn
So we can take it to the sky where we belong
Cuz 'fore to long, we been to wrong
We've got the right notes
But we play the wrong song
Stop thinkin' with your wallet
Think with your mind
So we can move ahead
Instead of behind
We got the people selling drugs
People are dying
Politicians talking and we know they're lyin'
Taxes for the poor, none for the rich
People starvin' here in American
Now ain't that a bummer
And now my heats been turned off
From my job, I've been laid off
What am I gonna do?
Well, is the shape I'm in
Because of my dark skin?
Now I know that can't be true
But since we're all down here
Let's work to make it better
Do our best for what it's worth
But you know the rules are bent
When you have to pay rent
Just to live on earth
Talk about justice
We're gonna do something now
That's gonna be really slick
We're gonna listen to Mr. Fleck and Chick
I'm gonna say one more thing
Then I'll get outta your face
How 'bout a sound
With a little bass
And we got missles on the ground
Lasers in space
Underground shelters, just in case
That something goes boom
Certain doom
Cuz in our hearts we didn't make enough room
For the love
It comes from up above
Let's stop talking war
And let's offer the dove
Cuz when it's done it's over
When it's over, it's done
We look back at the wars
And see nobobdy won
It's time to make a better place
For out daughters and our sons
Or life will be a blast
Pardon the pun
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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,
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/
Head > Heels
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Head > Heels” is a track that aims to capture what it feels like to experience romance that exceeds expectations. Ed Sheeran dedicates his album outro to a lover who has blessed him with a unique experience that he seeks to describe through the song’s nuanced lyrics.
American Town
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran shares a short story of reconnecting with an old flame on “American Town.” The track is about a holiday Ed Sheeran spends with his countrywoman who resides in America. The two are back together after a long period apart, and get around to enjoying a bunch of fun activities while rekindling the flames of their romance.
There's another alternate verse, which has been used a few times recently, at least on one recording I have from 8.4.06 during the Acoustic Planet Tour with YMSB and Keller Williams, as follows:
Cause you know, see everybody has got to get involved Cause around you, does life revolve From the family in the ghetto to the man on the street It's up to us to give them something to eat
Cause some are down so low they can't help themselves While we're downtown, shopping at the sales Watchin TV at night, thinkin that what a shame But not realizing that we're partly to blame
So what we got to do is change our attitude About the people less fortunate than me and you Who are scratchin for a nickel, askin for a buck They're just like us, but they're down on their luck
So think about it, and run it through your brain Cause you never know when your life might change It could be you, sleepin in the rain, With the people walkin by, lookin at you strange