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.
(David Lee Murphy)
I remember the night my dad stopped the car
And got out in the rain
Changed a blown out tire on a car
For a family with out of state plates
I said dad did we know those folks
As they waved and drove out of sight
He just smiled as he started the car
He said son not 'til tonight
You see the road you leave behind you
Is another road you're gonna have to come back down
It's just the way this big old world turns 'round
You'll find somehow somewhere someplace sometime
You gotta go back down the road you leave behind
Stuck out on the highway one night
Many years gone by
Had the hood of my truck pulled up
My ol' gas tank was dry
Some ol' guy gettin' off on the night shift
Pulled up to check on me
He said I been in your shoes before son
And it's no place to be
You see the road you leave behind you
Is another road you're gonna have to come back down
It's just the way this big old world turns 'round
You'll find somehow somewhere someplace sometime
You gotta go back down the road you leave behind
I said what do I owe you friend you could easily passed me by
He said next time it might be me son you don't me a dime
You see the road you leave behind you
Is another road you're gonna have to come back down
It's just the way this big old world turns 'round
You'll find somehow somewhere someplace sometime
You gotta go back down the road you leave behind
I remember the night my dad stopped the car
And got out in the rain
Changed a blown out tire on a car
For a family with out of state plates
I said dad did we know those folks
As they waved and drove out of sight
He just smiled as he started the car
He said son not 'til tonight
You see the road you leave behind you
Is another road you're gonna have to come back down
It's just the way this big old world turns 'round
You'll find somehow somewhere someplace sometime
You gotta go back down the road you leave behind
Stuck out on the highway one night
Many years gone by
Had the hood of my truck pulled up
My ol' gas tank was dry
Some ol' guy gettin' off on the night shift
Pulled up to check on me
He said I been in your shoes before son
And it's no place to be
You see the road you leave behind you
Is another road you're gonna have to come back down
It's just the way this big old world turns 'round
You'll find somehow somewhere someplace sometime
You gotta go back down the road you leave behind
I said what do I owe you friend you could easily passed me by
He said next time it might be me son you don't me a dime
You see the road you leave behind you
Is another road you're gonna have to come back down
It's just the way this big old world turns 'round
You'll find somehow somewhere someplace sometime
You gotta go back down the road you leave behind
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
The Road You Leave Behind Lyrics as written by Murphy
Lyrics © CAROL VINCENT & ASSOC LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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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'
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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/
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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.
American Town
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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.
So sue me...not like I'm making any money off this ;)
I remember the night my dad stopped the car And got out in the rain Changed a blown out tire on a car For a family with out of state plates I said dad did we know those folks As they waved and drove out of sight He just smiled as he started the car He said son not 'til tonight
You see the road you leave behind you Is another road you're gonna have to come back down It's just the way this big old world turns 'round You'll find somehow somewhere someplace sometime You gotta go back down the road you leave behind
Stuck out on the highway one night Many years gone by Had the hood of my truck pulled up My ol' gas tank was dry Some ol' guy gettin' off on the night shift Pulled up to check on me He said I been in your shoes before son And it's no place to be
You see the road you leave behind you Is another road you're gonna have to come back down It's just the way this big old world turns 'round You'll find somehow somewhere someplace sometime You gotta go back down the road you leave behind
I said what do I owe you friend you could easily passed me by He said next time it might be me son you don't me a dime
You see the road you leave behind you Is another road you're gonna have to come back down It's just the way this big old world turns 'round You'll find somehow somewhere someplace sometime You gotta go back down the road you leave behind