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,
Oh boy
where have I put my keys?
I've looked in my pocket
behind the newspaper
and underneath the remote control
and I cannot find where I put it again
Oh boy
I cannot find my keys
I'm far too late
The door is open now
a taxi is waiting there
A phone keeps ringing
I am definitely not going to
pick it up
'Cause
when I grow up
I'm gonna get those fancy keyrings
that you whistle at
and they whistle right back
at you
where have I put my keys?
I've looked in my pocket
behind the newspaper
and underneath the remote control
and I cannot find where I put it again
Oh boy
I cannot find my keys
I'm far too late
The door is open now
a taxi is waiting there
A phone keeps ringing
I am definitely not going to
pick it up
'Cause
when I grow up
I'm gonna get those fancy keyrings
that you whistle at
and they whistle right back
at you
Lyrics submitted by merchantpierce
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
When We Were Young
Blink-182
Blink-182
This is a sequel to 2001's "Reckless Abandon", and features the band looking back on their clumsy youth fondly.
Magical
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
How would you describe the feeling of being in love? For Ed Sheeran, the word is “Magical.” in HIS three-minute album opener, he makes an attempt to capture the beauty and delicacy of true love with words. He describes the magic of it all over a bright Pop song produced by Aaron Dessner.
Head > Heels
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Head > Heels” is a track that aims to capture what it feels like to experience romance that exceeds expectations. Ed Sheeran dedicates his album outro to a lover who has blessed him with a unique experience that he seeks to describe through the song’s nuanced lyrics.
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.
This song is what the title says, domestic. It tells a short, very personal story about a seemingly pointless endevour; Björk's search for her keys. There are two important parts as to why this song is so beautiful.
A: The questions that this song poses. Where is Björk going, what is so important that she would be late. The scene you create in your head is magical.
B: The philosophical idea that "Wow, we are all so worried about this and that and we never sit down and think about the beauty in the little things." This song is about grounding ourselves, but at the same time, keeping our heads in the clouds. This message is inherent simply because Björk chose to write a song about about the seemingly mundane task of searching for your keys.