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,
Aw, yes, this is powerful stuff
Got me circling like the moon round the sun
Acting crazy like a fool all drunk
Hear me, this is powerful stuff
There's no way for you to give this up
It's in your body it's all in your blood
It'll tear you down it'll lift you up
And keep you turning like it's never enough
Alright, now, let's turn it up
Every day do like a flower does
The sun it rises and she opens up
The sun it rises and she sings
Oh, hit me, this is
Powerful, powerful, powerful, powerful
Powerful, powerful, powerful, powerful
Powerful, powerful, mmm-hmm
Yeah, now tell me are you ready?
Are you ready?
Are you ready when a thing's so strong?
You can't give it, won't give it up
Watch it turning, yearning, burning
Can't give it up, won't give it up
Even when you're yearning, burning, turning
Can't give it up, won't give it up
Mmm-hmmm
Powerful, powerful, powerful, powerful
Powerful, powerful, powerful, powerful
Powerful, powerful, mmm-hmm
Got me circling like the moon round the sun
Acting crazy like a fool all drunk
Hear me, this is powerful stuff
There's no way for you to give this up
It's in your body it's all in your blood
It'll tear you down it'll lift you up
And keep you turning like it's never enough
Alright, now, let's turn it up
Every day do like a flower does
The sun it rises and she opens up
The sun it rises and she sings
Oh, hit me, this is
Powerful, powerful, powerful, powerful
Powerful, powerful, powerful, powerful
Powerful, powerful, mmm-hmm
Yeah, now tell me are you ready?
Are you ready?
Are you ready when a thing's so strong?
You can't give it, won't give it up
Watch it turning, yearning, burning
Can't give it up, won't give it up
Even when you're yearning, burning, turning
Can't give it up, won't give it up
Mmm-hmmm
Powerful, powerful, powerful, powerful
Powerful, powerful, powerful, powerful
Powerful, powerful, mmm-hmm
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/
Magical
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
How would you describe the feeling of being in love? For Ed Sheeran, the word is “Magical.” in HIS three-minute album opener, he makes an attempt to capture the beauty and delicacy of true love with words. He describes the magic of it all over a bright Pop song produced by Aaron Dessner.
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.
Midnight
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Midnight” is a song about finding a love that is so true that it provides a calming feeling through every storm. Ed Sheeran reflects on his good fortunes in landing someone with such peace and support and speaks of not fearing the dark days because he knows they’ll all end in the safety nets of her arms.
“Well, good morning there / What a way to start the day / With everything laid bare,” Ed Sheeran sings in the first verse, enthusiastic to be waking up beside his woman. He apologizes for missing her calls in the second verse and promises to return them because for him, speaking to her is the most important thing. “Well, I get lost inside my head / In this chaos, you’re my calm / And I will find my feet again / ‘Cause еven the worst days of my life will always еnd / At midnight in your arms,” sings Ed Sheeran in the chorus, revelling in his good luck.
My first assumption was that it indeed was drugs, but now I believe it to be intense love. Don't underestimate this song. It's probably not just about Weed, or Heroine. Look a little deeper, thank you.
clearly, sean hayes is talking about smoking weed. the first two verses give it away
"Got me circling like the moon round the sun"...<br /> <br /> ...so, circling around one object that circles around another..? <br /> <br /> TRUE. MUST BE WEED.
wtf weed? seriously? weed is not that addictive "can't give it up won't give it up even when you're yearning burning turning." cleary...clearly it is herion maybe some other type of hardcore strong drug. "it's in your body it's all in your blood." possibly talking about shooting up (injection). "it'll tear you down it'll lift you up".. if you've ever done dope you know just what he is talking about. one more "it'll keep you turning like its never enough" one word for that verse (KICKS)symptom of wd. in my POV this is clearly about something larger, stronger more powerful than pot...then again this could all just be a song about LOVE! truly its all in the way you interpret it so you are not wrong but I see it very differently.
It doesn't necessarily have to be a legitimate drug. It sounds to me like he could be talking about love, which has been described as a drug-like thing in itself.
i think it's about good sex, it can be just as good as any drug (every day do like the flower does, the sun it rises and she opens up)
that is so true..Heard th song in di adverstisment and fel in love with it. wheather drugs are love it can mean whatever anyone wants it to be but for me its love cause can lead to foolish behaviour at times.