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,
In my shoes, in my shoes
There is so much to remind me
As the stars come out above me, home
Cool wind, clear my head
Bright sun grow my food
Strong rain clear my heart
Fill my land
It's a new day
I don't know why it is sold
Don't know why it's so cold
In this life that we live
New day, new day, new day
In my shoes, in my shoes
There is so much to astound me
As the whirlpool spins around me, home
Bushfire, burn and grow
Sunset watch and rest low
Long night holding child close, feed my dream
It's a new day
I don't know why it is sold
Don't know why it's so cold
In this life that we live
New day new day new day
It's larger than life, darker than death
We're gonna move those mountains aside
Here come the messages
(Moginie/Garrett)
There is so much to remind me
As the stars come out above me, home
Cool wind, clear my head
Bright sun grow my food
Strong rain clear my heart
Fill my land
It's a new day
I don't know why it is sold
Don't know why it's so cold
In this life that we live
New day, new day, new day
In my shoes, in my shoes
There is so much to astound me
As the whirlpool spins around me, home
Bushfire, burn and grow
Sunset watch and rest low
Long night holding child close, feed my dream
It's a new day
I don't know why it is sold
Don't know why it's so cold
In this life that we live
New day new day new day
It's larger than life, darker than death
We're gonna move those mountains aside
Here come the messages
(Moginie/Garrett)
Lyrics submitted by Chris_Gough
Bushfire Lyrics as written by Martin Rotsey James Moginie
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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
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.
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.
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.
One of the most beautiful and underappreciated of all of the Oils songs. A gorgeous bit of acoustic guitar, a soulful tune and a song that makes you just want to sit and under a tree and appreciate life and the beautiful land under our feet here in Australia. Another Midnight Oil song where they fit a million wonders and treasures of life into a few stanzas. Classic Jim and Peter work. I adore this. As for meaning? Well, to me it's a song about life, the crazy 'whirlpool' wonder of it all.