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,
Twenty seven days I’ve been out on the road,
I’m a nervous wreck, I gotta get back home.
There’s a young bride waiting for me all alone
Lord, how she misses me.
I can see her sittin’ in the kitchen chair
In a cotton dress with her long black hair.
But a woman ain’t pretty if a man ain’t there,
That I can’t afford to be.
It’s a shame, it’s a shame
She won’t be the one to blame
Oh the hurtinest thing in the whole wide world
Is the heart of a lonely girl.
Like a red-tail fox to a blue tick hound,
She’s the hottest thing for miles around.
All them other boys in our hometown,
Got tricks hid up their sleeves.
Now it ain’t her that I don’t trust,
She’s pretty and pure as diamond dust.
But lonesome is this lonesome girl
She can’t help for what she needs.
It’s a shame, it’s a shame
She won’t be the one to blame
Oh the hurtinest thing in the whole wide world
Is the heart of a lonely girl.
The heart of a lonely girl,
The heart of a lonely girl.
It’s the hurtinest thing in the whole wide world
The heart of a lonely girl.
Daddy was a rambler just like me,
I guess the apple don’t fall too far from the tree.
When I ask why momma had to go that day,
Well he don’t know and she won’t say.
It’s a shame, it’s a shame
She won’t be the one to blame
Oh the hurtinest thing in the whole wide world
Is the heart of a lonely girl.
Yeah, it’s a shame, it’s a shame
She won’t be the one to blame
Yeah the hurtinest thing in the whole wide world
Is the heart of a lonely girl.
Yeah the hurtinest thing in the whole wide world
Is the heart of a lonely girl.
I’m a nervous wreck, I gotta get back home.
There’s a young bride waiting for me all alone
Lord, how she misses me.
I can see her sittin’ in the kitchen chair
In a cotton dress with her long black hair.
But a woman ain’t pretty if a man ain’t there,
That I can’t afford to be.
It’s a shame, it’s a shame
She won’t be the one to blame
Oh the hurtinest thing in the whole wide world
Is the heart of a lonely girl.
Like a red-tail fox to a blue tick hound,
She’s the hottest thing for miles around.
All them other boys in our hometown,
Got tricks hid up their sleeves.
Now it ain’t her that I don’t trust,
She’s pretty and pure as diamond dust.
But lonesome is this lonesome girl
She can’t help for what she needs.
It’s a shame, it’s a shame
She won’t be the one to blame
Oh the hurtinest thing in the whole wide world
Is the heart of a lonely girl.
The heart of a lonely girl,
The heart of a lonely girl.
It’s the hurtinest thing in the whole wide world
The heart of a lonely girl.
Daddy was a rambler just like me,
I guess the apple don’t fall too far from the tree.
When I ask why momma had to go that day,
Well he don’t know and she won’t say.
It’s a shame, it’s a shame
She won’t be the one to blame
Oh the hurtinest thing in the whole wide world
Is the heart of a lonely girl.
Yeah, it’s a shame, it’s a shame
She won’t be the one to blame
Yeah the hurtinest thing in the whole wide world
Is the heart of a lonely girl.
Yeah the hurtinest thing in the whole wide world
Is the heart of a lonely girl.
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
No Surprises
Radiohead
Radiohead
Same ideas expressed in Fitter, Happier are expressed in this song. We're told to strive for some sort of ideal life, which includes getting a good job, being kind to everyone, finding a partner, getting married, having a couple kids, living in a quiet neighborhood in a nice big house, etc. But in Fitter, Happier the narrator(?) realizes that it's incredibly robotic to live this life. People are being used by those in power "like a pig in a cage on antibiotics"--being pacified with things like new phones and cool gadgets and houses while being sucked dry. On No Surprises, the narrator is realizing how this life is killing him slowly. In the video, his helmet is slowly filling up with water, drowning him. But he's so complacent with it. This is a good summary of the song. This boring, "perfect" life foisted upon us by some higher powers (not spiritual, but political, economic, etc. politicians and businessmen, perhaps) is not the way to live. But there is seemingly no way out but death. He'd rather die peacefully right now than live in this cage. While our lives are often shielded, we're in our own protective bubbles, or protective helmets like the one Thom wears, if we look a little harder we can see all the corruption, lies, manipulation, etc. that is going on in the world, often run by huge yet nearly invisible organizations, corporations, and 'leaders'. It's a very hopeless song because it reflects real life.
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/
Punchline
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran sings about missing his former partner and learning important life lessons in the process on “Punchline.” This track tells a story of battling to get rid of emotions for a former lover, whom he now realized might not have loved him the same way. He’s now caught between accepting that fact and learning life lessons from it and going back to beg her for another chance.
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.