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,
Now I have always wondered. How can I stand upon your shoulders, look around and around and round and not see a thing? It always seemed confusing. Your jokes are never amusing. You can talk, talk, talk and not say a thing. We could fall below and never make a sound. The truth is frightening now. Will we ever get out? You always try to listen and for that gift I feel threatened. By the high esteem I hold you, it hurts so much. I wipe the dust off of my face. It’s all that’s left of my dreams misplaced. I find it hard to believe you could take much more.
Lyrics submitted by HoneyBlyss
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