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 don't feel myself today
Just a figure in a big monopoly game
Struggle is the price you pay
You get just enough just to give it away
I'm sinking, but I'm floating away
Throw me a line so I can anchor my pain
The fabric is about to fray
The fabric is about to fray
[Chorus]
Maybe you could take a look at yourself lately
Maybe you could take a look at yourself lately
Maybe you could take a look at yourself lately
Things keep coming and I keep wondering
I start feeling the walls close in
Things keep coming and I keep stumbling
I start feeling I'm strong enough to break
Oh, I start feeling I'm strong enough to break
Been running through my mind today
Scenarios to add to your hypocrisy
No one ever takes the blame
But everyone is searching for a cure to the pain
Nothing ever seems to change
Oh, nothing ever seems to change
We just play like broken records in a deaf man's charade
[Chorus]
Carry on just a pawn and the same old song
I'm still holding on
The fabric is about to fray
Maybe you could take a look at yourself lately
Maybe you could take a look at yourself lately
Things keep coming and I keep wondering
I start feeling the walls close in
Things keep coming and I keep stumbling
I start feeling I'm strong enough to break
Things keep coming and I keep wondering
I start feeling the walls close in
Things keep coming and I keep stumbling
I start feeling I'm strong enough to break
Oh, I start feeling I'm strong enough to break
Just a figure in a big monopoly game
Struggle is the price you pay
You get just enough just to give it away
I'm sinking, but I'm floating away
Throw me a line so I can anchor my pain
The fabric is about to fray
The fabric is about to fray
[Chorus]
Maybe you could take a look at yourself lately
Maybe you could take a look at yourself lately
Maybe you could take a look at yourself lately
Things keep coming and I keep wondering
I start feeling the walls close in
Things keep coming and I keep stumbling
I start feeling I'm strong enough to break
Oh, I start feeling I'm strong enough to break
Been running through my mind today
Scenarios to add to your hypocrisy
No one ever takes the blame
But everyone is searching for a cure to the pain
Nothing ever seems to change
Oh, nothing ever seems to change
We just play like broken records in a deaf man's charade
[Chorus]
Carry on just a pawn and the same old song
I'm still holding on
The fabric is about to fray
Maybe you could take a look at yourself lately
Maybe you could take a look at yourself lately
Things keep coming and I keep wondering
I start feeling the walls close in
Things keep coming and I keep stumbling
I start feeling I'm strong enough to break
Things keep coming and I keep wondering
I start feeling the walls close in
Things keep coming and I keep stumbling
I start feeling I'm strong enough to break
Oh, I start feeling I'm strong enough to break
Lyrics submitted by SilentScream829
Strong Enough to Break Lyrics as written by Clarke Isaac Hanson Greg Wells
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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It is definitely about breaking away from the record label they were on. If you watch the documentary "Strong Enough to Break" It shows the struggle they went through with the company. They kept submitting new songs and the guy kept telling them they were no good. So they had to keep writing songs and try again. Thats where the whole "We just play like broken records in a deaf man's charade" part comes in. And I honestly loved all the songs that stupid guy dissed. I'm proud of them for breaking away from Island Def Jam. I've been a huge fan since MMMBop and always will be.