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,
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im sure liz had the meaning of these lyrics all worked out in her head, however she may have been taking heavy drugs at the time. to say that the lyrics are meant to be felt and not studied is a good way to look at it, but it doesn't mean you can't recieve some sort of communication based on the actual words she says in conjunction with the way they sound. she is so metaphorical that it's hard to remember that shes not talking about strictly one thing. the subject matter is very fragmented. but if you neglect the words and only listen to their sound, you aren't getting your head around the whole picture of what this song is trying to say to you (or to the artist themselves). Liz obviously has some very complex emotions and musings going into these lyrics, and while it is pointless and endless to study them, instead paying attention to them and knowing what they are so they can still offer another level of surreality to the song is very worthwhile.
to annazoff- how fucking dare you compare liz fraser to ENYA. really, how dare you. you don't even make sense! Indie? when were CT indie? your basically just admitting that you listen to shitty music like that peice of shit fake Enya, who is still capitalizing off of the niche she dug out in the music market for ignorant soccer moms and their husbands who want to put something on for the car ride that can satisfy both of their terrible tastes.
anyways... Long live Cocteau Twins