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,
It's getting so lonely inside this bed
Don't know if I should lick my wounds or say "woe is me" instead
And there's an aching inside my head
It's telling me you're better off alone
But after midnight morning will come
And the day will see if you will get some
They say that girl ya know she act too tough, tough, tough
Well it's 'til I turn off the light, turn off the light
They say that girl you know she act so rough, rough, rough
Well it's 'til I turn off the light, turn off the light
And I say follow me follow me follow me down down down down
'Til you see all my dreams
Not everything in this magical world is quite what it seems
I looked above the other day
'Cause I think I'm good and ready for a change
I live my life by the moon (by the moon)
If it's high, play it low, if it's harvest go slow and if it's full, then go
But after midnight morning will come
And the day will see if you're gonna get some
They say that girl ya know she act too tough, tough, tough
Well it's 'til I turn off the light, turn off the light
They say that girl you know she act so rough, rough, rough
Well it's 'til I turn off the light, turn off the light
And I say follow me follow me follow me down, down, down, down
'Til you see all my dreams
Not everything in this magical world is quite what it seems
And I'm searching for things that I just cannot see
Why don't you don't you don't you come and be with me
I pretend to be cool with me, want to believe
That I can do it on my own without my heart on my sleeve
I'm running, I'm running, catch up with me life
Or is it love that I'm looking to find
It's all in me, can't you see, why can't you, why can't you see
It's all in me, yeah
All in me, yeah
Where is your logic? (turn of the light, turn off the light)
Who do you need? Yeah (turn of the light, turn off the light)
(And I say follow me, follow me, follow me)
(Down, down, down, down, 'til you see all my dreams) where can you turn?
Not everything in this magical world is quite what it seems
Follow me, follow me, down, down, down
I do not need, I do not need nobody (turn off the light, turn off the light)
Follow me down, follow me down, down, down
I do not need, I do not need nobody (turn off the light, turn off the light)
Follow me, follow me, follow me, down, down, down, down
'Til you see all my dreams, see all my dreams
Follow me, follow me, follow me, down, down, down, down
'Til you see all my dreams, see all my dreams
Where is your logic? (turn off the light, turn off the light)
Who do you need? Yeah (turn off the light, turn off the light)
Where can you turn? (turn off the light, turn off the light)
And where is your logic? (turn off the light, turn off the light)
Who do you need?
Don't know if I should lick my wounds or say "woe is me" instead
And there's an aching inside my head
It's telling me you're better off alone
But after midnight morning will come
And the day will see if you will get some
They say that girl ya know she act too tough, tough, tough
Well it's 'til I turn off the light, turn off the light
They say that girl you know she act so rough, rough, rough
Well it's 'til I turn off the light, turn off the light
And I say follow me follow me follow me down down down down
'Til you see all my dreams
Not everything in this magical world is quite what it seems
I looked above the other day
'Cause I think I'm good and ready for a change
I live my life by the moon (by the moon)
If it's high, play it low, if it's harvest go slow and if it's full, then go
But after midnight morning will come
And the day will see if you're gonna get some
They say that girl ya know she act too tough, tough, tough
Well it's 'til I turn off the light, turn off the light
They say that girl you know she act so rough, rough, rough
Well it's 'til I turn off the light, turn off the light
And I say follow me follow me follow me down, down, down, down
'Til you see all my dreams
Not everything in this magical world is quite what it seems
And I'm searching for things that I just cannot see
Why don't you don't you don't you come and be with me
I pretend to be cool with me, want to believe
That I can do it on my own without my heart on my sleeve
I'm running, I'm running, catch up with me life
Or is it love that I'm looking to find
It's all in me, can't you see, why can't you, why can't you see
It's all in me, yeah
All in me, yeah
Where is your logic? (turn of the light, turn off the light)
Who do you need? Yeah (turn of the light, turn off the light)
(And I say follow me, follow me, follow me)
(Down, down, down, down, 'til you see all my dreams) where can you turn?
Not everything in this magical world is quite what it seems
Follow me, follow me, down, down, down
I do not need, I do not need nobody (turn off the light, turn off the light)
Follow me down, follow me down, down, down
I do not need, I do not need nobody (turn off the light, turn off the light)
Follow me, follow me, follow me, down, down, down, down
'Til you see all my dreams, see all my dreams
Follow me, follow me, follow me, down, down, down, down
'Til you see all my dreams, see all my dreams
Where is your logic? (turn off the light, turn off the light)
Who do you need? Yeah (turn off the light, turn off the light)
Where can you turn? (turn off the light, turn off the light)
And where is your logic? (turn off the light, turn off the light)
Who do you need?
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
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/
Magical
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
How would you describe the feeling of being in love? For Ed Sheeran, the word is “Magical.” in HIS three-minute album opener, he makes an attempt to capture the beauty and delicacy of true love with words. He describes the magic of it all over a bright Pop song produced 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.
At the risk of sounding totally self-centered, this song reminds me so much of myself. Down from what people say about me and what they think of me, to what I really am. It's an amazing song. Nelly's a great artist. (: