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,
Love ain't what this song's about
Candlelight ain't what I'm in the mood for now
I don't need a metaphor to help me get this out
Love ain't what this song's about
It's about beer and whiskey and drinkin
It's about playin the fool and actin without thinkin
It's about runnin with your buddies you don't give a damn
What in the world happens to you man
Oh love ain't what this song's about
Cryin ain't what you're gonna hear
You won't have any salty tears drownin in your beer
If you're feelin down then friend you'd better just steer clear
Cryin ain't what you're gonna hear
It's about wine and women and song
It's about doin one thing and make sure you do it wrong
It's about givin in to your deepest desire
Settin the whole damn world on fire
Cryin ain't what you're gonna hear
Love ain't what this song's about
Candlelight ain't what I'm in the mood for now
I don't need a metaphor to help me get this out
Love ain't what this song's about
It's about beer and whiskey and drinkin
It's about playin the fool and actin without thinkin
It's about runnin with your buddies you don't give a damn
What in the world happens to you man
Oh love ain't what this song's about
Love ain't what this song's about
The world's got you trapped and friend there's no way out
Just give in to your deepest desires
Set the whole damn world on fire
Love ain't what this song's about
Candlelight ain't what I'm in the mood for now
I don't need a metaphor to help me get this out
Love ain't what this song's about
It's about beer and whiskey and drinkin
It's about playin the fool and actin without thinkin
It's about runnin with your buddies you don't give a damn
What in the world happens to you man
Oh love ain't what this song's about
Cryin ain't what you're gonna hear
You won't have any salty tears drownin in your beer
If you're feelin down then friend you'd better just steer clear
Cryin ain't what you're gonna hear
It's about wine and women and song
It's about doin one thing and make sure you do it wrong
It's about givin in to your deepest desire
Settin the whole damn world on fire
Cryin ain't what you're gonna hear
Love ain't what this song's about
Candlelight ain't what I'm in the mood for now
I don't need a metaphor to help me get this out
Love ain't what this song's about
It's about beer and whiskey and drinkin
It's about playin the fool and actin without thinkin
It's about runnin with your buddies you don't give a damn
What in the world happens to you man
Oh love ain't what this song's about
Love ain't what this song's about
The world's got you trapped and friend there's no way out
Just give in to your deepest desires
Set the whole damn world on fire
Love ain't what this song's about
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Funny song about a happy lost soul. Probably a college kid.