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,
Make up your mind
Decide to walk with me
Around the lake tonight
Around the lake tonight
By my side
By my side
I'm not gonna lie
I'll not be a gentleman
Behind the boathouse
I'll show you my dark secret
I'm not gonna lie
I want you for mine
My blushing bride
My lover, be my lover, yeah
Don't be afraid
I didn't mean to scare you
So help me, Jesus
I can promise you
You'll stay as beautiful
With dark hair
And soft skin, forever
Forever
Make up your mind
Make up your mind
And I'll promise you
I will treat you well
My sweet angel
So help me, Jesus
(Hey, hey, hey)
Give it up to me
Give it up to me
Do you wanna be
My angel?
Give it up to me
Give it up to me
Do you wanna be
My angel?
Give it up to me
Give it up to me
Do you wanna be
My angel?
So help me
Be my angel
Be my angel
Be my angel
Do you wanna die?
Do you wanna die?
Do you wanna die?
Do you wanna die?
Do you wanna die?
Do you wanna die?
Do you wanna die?
Do you wanna die?
Well, I promise you
I will treat you well
My sweet angel
So help me, Jesus
Jesus
Jesus
Jesus
Decide to walk with me
Around the lake tonight
Around the lake tonight
By my side
By my side
I'm not gonna lie
I'll not be a gentleman
Behind the boathouse
I'll show you my dark secret
I'm not gonna lie
I want you for mine
My blushing bride
My lover, be my lover, yeah
Don't be afraid
I didn't mean to scare you
So help me, Jesus
I can promise you
You'll stay as beautiful
With dark hair
And soft skin, forever
Forever
Make up your mind
Make up your mind
And I'll promise you
I will treat you well
My sweet angel
So help me, Jesus
(Hey, hey, hey)
Give it up to me
Give it up to me
Do you wanna be
My angel?
Give it up to me
Give it up to me
Do you wanna be
My angel?
Give it up to me
Give it up to me
Do you wanna be
My angel?
So help me
Be my angel
Be my angel
Be my angel
Do you wanna die?
Do you wanna die?
Do you wanna die?
Do you wanna die?
Do you wanna die?
Do you wanna die?
Do you wanna die?
Do you wanna die?
Well, I promise you
I will treat you well
My sweet angel
So help me, Jesus
Jesus
Jesus
Jesus
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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/
Blue
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Blue” is a song about a love that is persisting in the discomfort of the person experiencing the emotion. Ed Sheeran reflects on love lost, and although he wishes his former partner find happiness, he cannot but admit his feelings are still very much there. He expresses the realization that he might never find another on this stringed instrumental 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.
Page
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
There aren’t many things that’ll hurt more than giving love a chance against your better judgement only to have your heart crushed yet again. Ed Sheeran tells such a story on “Page.” On this track, he is devastated to have lost his lover and even more saddened by the feeling that he may never move on from this.
I see how/why people want to see this song as being a darkly romantic song about vampirism, but that is not what this song is about. The song is about rape, murder, and possibly necrophilia not some Ann Rice romanticism of vampires. Take the time to look at the origination of the song. If you want this song to be about Vampires that fine, but realize you are misrepresenting the origination of the song in the same way as someone saying "Ring Around the Rosey" is a reference to the Black Death.
Uh, "Ring Around the Rosey" IS about the plague. Check with any Medieval scholar, and they'll confirm that. Oh wait! I AM a Medieval scholar. If you got that wrong, the rest of your thesis is suspect.
I think you nailed it...The first time I heard it could understand it was about rape and murder....Perhaps even a Serial Killer!