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,
the sun came up exposed the cloud the city put up
grey mountains lost grey skies covered them up
so what if we can make a million cars in one day
or a million bombs to blow ourself up
should we call this free?
the answer's obvious decisions made for and against us
the sun came up behind the trees on the city it looks so ugly to me
a million people a million dreams
but not a word spoken it seems
i'll be a friend to you be a friend to me
the bosses learned to fool the slaves into 8 hour days
but do we need them or do they need us?
it seems like we dwell on these useless things
life-styles of wealth pursuit of money
competition says to beat each other down for personal gain
sorry i didn't call last night, i've got a lot of nothing taking all my time
motivation sometimes sinks deep in the couch cushions
sometimes sleep is my best friend
and it hurt me when my friends transformed into my parents
they don't call here anymore so it all comes down to this turn
18 find life employment shut your mouth cover your eyes
i think we deserve a bit more than this
do you really think you run your life?
and when all the skies turn grey and the earth rejects this mess we've made
and all the cities fallt ot he sea
when every person has the means to build a life, follow their dreams
and not be worked into their grave
when all governments and multi-million dollar corporations have been torn down
by commen men, when it all falls down
you and i sitting on the mountain side staring at the sun.
grey mountains lost grey skies covered them up
so what if we can make a million cars in one day
or a million bombs to blow ourself up
should we call this free?
the answer's obvious decisions made for and against us
the sun came up behind the trees on the city it looks so ugly to me
a million people a million dreams
but not a word spoken it seems
i'll be a friend to you be a friend to me
the bosses learned to fool the slaves into 8 hour days
but do we need them or do they need us?
it seems like we dwell on these useless things
life-styles of wealth pursuit of money
competition says to beat each other down for personal gain
sorry i didn't call last night, i've got a lot of nothing taking all my time
motivation sometimes sinks deep in the couch cushions
sometimes sleep is my best friend
and it hurt me when my friends transformed into my parents
they don't call here anymore so it all comes down to this turn
18 find life employment shut your mouth cover your eyes
i think we deserve a bit more than this
do you really think you run your life?
and when all the skies turn grey and the earth rejects this mess we've made
and all the cities fallt ot he sea
when every person has the means to build a life, follow their dreams
and not be worked into their grave
when all governments and multi-million dollar corporations have been torn down
by commen men, when it all falls down
you and i sitting on the mountain side staring at the sun.
Lyrics submitted by bouncing soles
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Gentle Hour
Yo La Tengo
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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'
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"'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/
Plastic Bag
Ed Sheeran
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“Plastic Bag” is a song about searching for an escape from personal problems and hoping to find it in the lively atmosphere of a Saturday night party. Ed Sheeran tells the story of his friend and the myriad of troubles he is going through. Unable to find any solutions, this friend seeks a last resort in a party and the vanity that comes with it.
“I overthink and have trouble sleepin’ / All purpose gone and don’t have a reason / And there’s no doctor to stop this bleedin’ / So I left home and jumped in the deep end,” Ed Sheeran sings in verse one. He continues by adding that this person is feeling the weight of having disappointed his father and doesn’t have any friends to rely on in this difficult moment. In the second verse, Ed sings about the role of grief in his friend’s plight and his dwindling faith in prayer. “Saturday night is givin’ me a reason to rely on the strobe lights / The lifeline of a promise in a shot glass, and I’ll take that / If you’re givin’ out love from a plastic bag,” Ed sings on the chorus, as his friend turns to new vices in hopes of feeling better.
fucking awesome.
I agree.
fuckin' a