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,
Swords, and pens, and tears, and blood
Emotion, demotion, and skin that's so tough
If I can live through this then that is enough
Learn and earn devotion and trust
Love is the subject and nothin' else, nothin' else
Life is the course, love is the subject
Notes, and jokes, and follies so cruel
Elation, cessation, and pain - that's the rule
Find me later, face down in the pool
Prop me up for lesson number two
I eat, and sleep, and culture my person
Measure up to the yardstick she's using
Punch drunk stars like sparks in my vision
Paradise is something inhuman when
Love is the subject and nothin' else, nothin' else
So much of this is quarrel
Clenching of the teeth
It's stormy on the surface
Let me underneath
Walk, and talk, and give up, and talk on
My body hangs 'round this heart like a jacket
My stomach sinks lower, preparing for worry
I'm so ready to feel good in a hurry when...
Love is the subject and nothin' else, nothin' else
Life is the course, love is the subject
Emotion, demotion, and skin that's so tough
If I can live through this then that is enough
Learn and earn devotion and trust
Love is the subject and nothin' else, nothin' else
Life is the course, love is the subject
Notes, and jokes, and follies so cruel
Elation, cessation, and pain - that's the rule
Find me later, face down in the pool
Prop me up for lesson number two
I eat, and sleep, and culture my person
Measure up to the yardstick she's using
Punch drunk stars like sparks in my vision
Paradise is something inhuman when
Love is the subject and nothin' else, nothin' else
So much of this is quarrel
Clenching of the teeth
It's stormy on the surface
Let me underneath
Walk, and talk, and give up, and talk on
My body hangs 'round this heart like a jacket
My stomach sinks lower, preparing for worry
I'm so ready to feel good in a hurry when...
Love is the subject and nothin' else, nothin' else
Life is the course, love is the subject
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
Love Is the Subject Lyrics as written by Doug Elliott Craig William Andrew Northey
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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