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,
I could go on talking or I could stop
Wring out each memory 'til I get every drop
Sift through the details of the others involved
The true crime would be thinking it's just one person's fault
Like an honest signature on a fake ID
Like the guilty conscience with the innocent plea
You can just ignore it, put it out of mind
But ain't it funny how the past won't ever let something lie?
Let's make a list of all the things the world has put you through
Let's raise a glass to all the people you're not speaking to
I don't know what else you wanted me to say to you
Things happen, that's all they ever do
In a different time, on a different floor
I might mourn the loss of who I'm not anymore
So I'm driving out to Oakland for a good look back
And a few revisions to my plan of attack
Let's make a list of all the things the world has put you through
Let's raise a glass to all the people you're not speaking to
I don't know what else you wanted me to say to you
Things happen, that's all they ever do
I think I'll see Lilly
See where she stands
I can't help how I feel, I don't think anyone can
Sometimes we're lovers, sometimes we're friends
The hope of magnetism between two dead ends
Let's make a list of all the things the world has put you through
Let's raise a glass to all the people you're not speaking to
I don't know what else you wanted me to say to you
Things happen, that's all they ever do
Let's make a list of all the things the world has put you through
Let's raise a glass to all the people you're not speaking to
I don't know what else you wanted me to say to you
Things happen, that's all they ever do
We could qualify the spirit guides you listen to
Or why a mom's compelled to bronze its baby's shoes
I don't know what else that you want me to say to you
Things happen, that's all they ever do
That's all they ever do
That's all they ever do
That's all they ever do
Wring out each memory 'til I get every drop
Sift through the details of the others involved
The true crime would be thinking it's just one person's fault
Like an honest signature on a fake ID
Like the guilty conscience with the innocent plea
You can just ignore it, put it out of mind
But ain't it funny how the past won't ever let something lie?
Let's make a list of all the things the world has put you through
Let's raise a glass to all the people you're not speaking to
I don't know what else you wanted me to say to you
Things happen, that's all they ever do
In a different time, on a different floor
I might mourn the loss of who I'm not anymore
So I'm driving out to Oakland for a good look back
And a few revisions to my plan of attack
Let's make a list of all the things the world has put you through
Let's raise a glass to all the people you're not speaking to
I don't know what else you wanted me to say to you
Things happen, that's all they ever do
I think I'll see Lilly
See where she stands
I can't help how I feel, I don't think anyone can
Sometimes we're lovers, sometimes we're friends
The hope of magnetism between two dead ends
Let's make a list of all the things the world has put you through
Let's raise a glass to all the people you're not speaking to
I don't know what else you wanted me to say to you
Things happen, that's all they ever do
Let's make a list of all the things the world has put you through
Let's raise a glass to all the people you're not speaking to
I don't know what else you wanted me to say to you
Things happen, that's all they ever do
We could qualify the spirit guides you listen to
Or why a mom's compelled to bronze its baby's shoes
I don't know what else that you want me to say to you
Things happen, that's all they ever do
That's all they ever do
That's all they ever do
That's all they ever do
Lyrics submitted by talihinathrees, edited by mandapop
Things Happen Lyrics as written by Taylor Goldsmith
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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Gentle Hour
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No Surprises
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Failed relationships