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 am so glad you’re here to listen
I don’t know where I’d be without you
I don’t know how to change from what I am
All the emotions are turning me blue
And all the pain I hold against myself
And all that I am has washed away
Because of you I realized how much I owe my life to you
I wish I could bring you here
To guide me through my life
Set back all the hard times
And finally get things right
I am tired of hurting everybody
And using you like I do
But it’s the things that everybody
Does that sets me through
I can’t escape my feelings
And my constant cravings I have
But I know I can’t stop abusing
The opiate your sex has
You yearn for certain things
But I never thought it’d be this
There have been so many people
I couldn’t tell you whom I used it with
But I know it was my escape
Or the drug to calm my fears
I can’t rid the addiction
Of a drug I’ve been using for years
My life is such a sad story
I couldn’t end it now
For everything would be so boring
If I wasn’t using it now
But it’s the things that everybody
Does that sets me free
I can’t escape my feelings
And my constant cravings I need
But I can’t stop abusing
The opiate your sex has
And it’s hard to stop using
You like I have
I am so glad you’re here to listen
I don’t know where I’d be without you
I don’t know how to change from what I am
All the emotions are turning me blue
And all the pain I hold against myself
And all that I am has washed away
Because of you I realized how much I owe my life
To your opiate
And the drug your sex has
I don’t know where I’d be without you
I don’t know how to change from what I am
All the emotions are turning me blue
And all the pain I hold against myself
And all that I am has washed away
Because of you I realized how much I owe my life to you
I wish I could bring you here
To guide me through my life
Set back all the hard times
And finally get things right
I am tired of hurting everybody
And using you like I do
But it’s the things that everybody
Does that sets me through
I can’t escape my feelings
And my constant cravings I have
But I know I can’t stop abusing
The opiate your sex has
You yearn for certain things
But I never thought it’d be this
There have been so many people
I couldn’t tell you whom I used it with
But I know it was my escape
Or the drug to calm my fears
I can’t rid the addiction
Of a drug I’ve been using for years
My life is such a sad story
I couldn’t end it now
For everything would be so boring
If I wasn’t using it now
But it’s the things that everybody
Does that sets me free
I can’t escape my feelings
And my constant cravings I need
But I can’t stop abusing
The opiate your sex has
And it’s hard to stop using
You like I have
I am so glad you’re here to listen
I don’t know where I’d be without you
I don’t know how to change from what I am
All the emotions are turning me blue
And all the pain I hold against myself
And all that I am has washed away
Because of you I realized how much I owe my life
To your opiate
And the drug your sex has
Lyrics submitted by AMeRiCaNPuNK11x
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
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/
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.
Amazing
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran tells a story of unsuccessfully trying to feel “Amazing.” This track is about the being weighed down by emotional stress despite valiant attempts to find some positivity in the situation. This track was written by Ed Sheeran from the perspective of his friend. From the track, we see this person fall deeper into the negative thoughts and slide further down the path of mental torment with every lyric.
Plastic Bag
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Plastic Bag” is a song about searching for an escape from personal problems and hoping to find it in the lively atmosphere of a Saturday night party. Ed Sheeran tells the story of his friend and the myriad of troubles he is going through. Unable to find any solutions, this friend seeks a last resort in a party and the vanity that comes with it.
“I overthink and have trouble sleepin’ / All purpose gone and don’t have a reason / And there’s no doctor to stop this bleedin’ / So I left home and jumped in the deep end,” Ed Sheeran sings in verse one. He continues by adding that this person is feeling the weight of having disappointed his father and doesn’t have any friends to rely on in this difficult moment. In the second verse, Ed sings about the role of grief in his friend’s plight and his dwindling faith in prayer. “Saturday night is givin’ me a reason to rely on the strobe lights / The lifeline of a promise in a shot glass, and I’ll take that / If you’re givin’ out love from a plastic bag,” Ed sings on the chorus, as his friend turns to new vices in hopes of feeling better.