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,
I've been trying for hours just to think of what exactly to say
I thought I'd leave you with a letter or fiery speech
Like when an actor makes an exit at the end of a play
And I've been dying for hours trying to fill up all the holes with some sense
I'd like to know how you gave up and you threw it away
I'd like to give you all the reasons and what everything meant
Well I could tell you goodbye or maybe see you around
With just a touch of a sarcastic thanks
We started out with a bang and at the top of the world
Now the guns are exhausted and the bullets are blanks
And everything's blank
CHORUS:
If I could find the words then I would write it all down
If I could only find a voice I would speak
Oh it's there in my eyes so can't you see me tonight
Come on and look at me and read 'em and weep
CHORUS
I've been whispering softly, trying to build a cry up to a scream
We let the past slip away, and put the future on hold
Now the present is nothing but a hollowed out dream
And I've been dreaming forever hoping something would eventually come
I saw your eyes in the dark
I felt your kiss on my lips
I traced your body in the air until the bodies were numb
Well I could tell you good-bye or maybe see you around
With just a touch of a sarcastic thanks
But now the rooms are all empty, the candles are dark
The guns are exhausted and the bullets are blanks, and everything's blank
CHORUS
It's there in my eyes and coming straight from my heart
It's running silent and angry and deep
It's there in my eyes and it's all I can say
Come on and read 'em and weep
Read 'em and weep - for all the hours we'll be spending alone
Read 'em and weep - for the dreams we'll ignore
Running silent and deep
And all those promises we promised to keep, they won't be kept anymore
Read 'em and weep - for the magic that our bodies had made
Read 'em and weep - for the blood that we lost
Running silent and deep
And all the secrets that we somehow betrayed
For whatever the cost
Read 'em and weep - for the memories still alive in the bed
Read 'em and weep - for the lies we believed
Running silent and deep
And all the things that can never be said
Why don't you look at me and read 'em and weep
Come on and look at me and read 'em and weep
It's there in my eyes and coming straight from my heart
It's running silent and angry and deep
It's here in my eyes and it's all I can say
Come on look at me and read 'em and weep
I thought I'd leave you with a letter or fiery speech
Like when an actor makes an exit at the end of a play
And I've been dying for hours trying to fill up all the holes with some sense
I'd like to know how you gave up and you threw it away
I'd like to give you all the reasons and what everything meant
Well I could tell you goodbye or maybe see you around
With just a touch of a sarcastic thanks
We started out with a bang and at the top of the world
Now the guns are exhausted and the bullets are blanks
And everything's blank
CHORUS:
If I could find the words then I would write it all down
If I could only find a voice I would speak
Oh it's there in my eyes so can't you see me tonight
Come on and look at me and read 'em and weep
CHORUS
I've been whispering softly, trying to build a cry up to a scream
We let the past slip away, and put the future on hold
Now the present is nothing but a hollowed out dream
And I've been dreaming forever hoping something would eventually come
I saw your eyes in the dark
I felt your kiss on my lips
I traced your body in the air until the bodies were numb
Well I could tell you good-bye or maybe see you around
With just a touch of a sarcastic thanks
But now the rooms are all empty, the candles are dark
The guns are exhausted and the bullets are blanks, and everything's blank
CHORUS
It's there in my eyes and coming straight from my heart
It's running silent and angry and deep
It's there in my eyes and it's all I can say
Come on and read 'em and weep
Read 'em and weep - for all the hours we'll be spending alone
Read 'em and weep - for the dreams we'll ignore
Running silent and deep
And all those promises we promised to keep, they won't be kept anymore
Read 'em and weep - for the magic that our bodies had made
Read 'em and weep - for the blood that we lost
Running silent and deep
And all the secrets that we somehow betrayed
For whatever the cost
Read 'em and weep - for the memories still alive in the bed
Read 'em and weep - for the lies we believed
Running silent and deep
And all the things that can never be said
Why don't you look at me and read 'em and weep
Come on and look at me and read 'em and weep
It's there in my eyes and coming straight from my heart
It's running silent and angry and deep
It's here in my eyes and it's all I can say
Come on look at me and read 'em and weep
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More Featured Meanings
Gentle Hour
Yo La Tengo
Yo La Tengo
No Surprises
Radiohead
Radiohead
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'
Dusty Springfield
Dusty Springfield
I don't think it's necessarily about sex. It's about wanting to start the day with some love and affection. Maybe a warm cuddle. I'm not alone in interpreting it that way! For example:
"'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/
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.
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.
The title mentions this being the Barry Manilow version, but these are the lyrics to the Meat Loaf version. Barry's version says "gave up" instead of "faded", and changes the second verse.
Changed them. Should be the right lyrics now.