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 saw them sitting on the Haight
trying hard to re-create anarchy in the C.A
asking me for all my change
when you know damned well that they
don't need it
so i go on walking
they continue talking
in a nutshell it's just sad
Ashley's walking towards her car
her head meets with a crowbar
a Pontiac, I guess, is all she's worth
and Joe does his last line of coke
his whole life's a fucking joke
agony and sorrow lie ahead
is there a place where we can all escape?
from all the pain
and tragedy and just rejuvenate
two can join as one
and now the war's not yet begun, show me to that door
what a difference a day makes
Ms. Washington once said
so much changes
today the sun will rise and set
pushing forward (never back)
no one's gonna cut you slack
don't you wanna see how far you'll get?
i gotta get out of this town
don't let this world beat you down
there's a secret out there no one's found!
somewhere someone's crying
humans multiplying
what is this world coming to?
Mike is writing a new song
but the inspiration's gone
he's not writing for himself no more
everybody's got their shot
it's your choice take it or not
gotta make it happen, make it last
before we shed these mortal coils
and we all are dead
we try our best to make a difference
leave our mark and wed
one splits into two, and now i did it all for you. what'd you do for me?
trying hard to re-create anarchy in the C.A
asking me for all my change
when you know damned well that they
don't need it
so i go on walking
they continue talking
in a nutshell it's just sad
Ashley's walking towards her car
her head meets with a crowbar
a Pontiac, I guess, is all she's worth
and Joe does his last line of coke
his whole life's a fucking joke
agony and sorrow lie ahead
is there a place where we can all escape?
from all the pain
and tragedy and just rejuvenate
two can join as one
and now the war's not yet begun, show me to that door
what a difference a day makes
Ms. Washington once said
so much changes
today the sun will rise and set
pushing forward (never back)
no one's gonna cut you slack
don't you wanna see how far you'll get?
i gotta get out of this town
don't let this world beat you down
there's a secret out there no one's found!
somewhere someone's crying
humans multiplying
what is this world coming to?
Mike is writing a new song
but the inspiration's gone
he's not writing for himself no more
everybody's got their shot
it's your choice take it or not
gotta make it happen, make it last
before we shed these mortal coils
and we all are dead
we try our best to make a difference
leave our mark and wed
one splits into two, and now i did it all for you. what'd you do for me?
Lyrics submitted by Tragedyandy13
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i think this song is awesome!! By far my favorite on the album!