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,
Fail the sun to shine
As there is no more beauty left to alighten
What was once flourished has withered away
And what will not weather I cannot stomach
Oh the cruelty of a persistent scar
Fail the sun to shine
I can keep my lips from trembling
While I sever with regretful hands
The strings so carelessly attached to me
I can remove the litter of intimacy
Alas, this won't be the death of me
If that which breaks merely tears seldom lasts
How can that which breaks ever heal
This won't be the death of me
I would rather bleed than feel
I would rather bleed
No man can learn the value of his life without pain
And yet no man deserves a life's worth in pain
And I have a lifetime left to learn
Am I not a better man?
A man who has grown sound and strong
A man who has learned from his misery
Am I not a better man?
A clever man who taught his flesh the way of steel
This lasting man of resolve and will
Am I not a better man?
Or just a bitter man?
That rots with memories and only grows cold?
And indeed, I have grown cold
And this moment feels like the harshest end to the coldest day
This day has lasted a lifetime
With an eternity left to lapse
Here I am, forsaken
Just as I forsook the sun
A blend of venom and winter
The kiss of frost and poison
How I wish for a steady hand to wipe away these scars
Or a tender kiss to render me forgetful
Were the sun to follow bitter examples
We would truly know winter
Eternally
May the sun shine on the forsaken
May the sun shine brightly
And illuminate our scars
As there is no more beauty left to alighten
What was once flourished has withered away
And what will not weather I cannot stomach
Oh the cruelty of a persistent scar
Fail the sun to shine
I can keep my lips from trembling
While I sever with regretful hands
The strings so carelessly attached to me
I can remove the litter of intimacy
Alas, this won't be the death of me
If that which breaks merely tears seldom lasts
How can that which breaks ever heal
This won't be the death of me
I would rather bleed than feel
I would rather bleed
No man can learn the value of his life without pain
And yet no man deserves a life's worth in pain
And I have a lifetime left to learn
Am I not a better man?
A man who has grown sound and strong
A man who has learned from his misery
Am I not a better man?
A clever man who taught his flesh the way of steel
This lasting man of resolve and will
Am I not a better man?
Or just a bitter man?
That rots with memories and only grows cold?
And indeed, I have grown cold
And this moment feels like the harshest end to the coldest day
This day has lasted a lifetime
With an eternity left to lapse
Here I am, forsaken
Just as I forsook the sun
A blend of venom and winter
The kiss of frost and poison
How I wish for a steady hand to wipe away these scars
Or a tender kiss to render me forgetful
Were the sun to follow bitter examples
We would truly know winter
Eternally
May the sun shine on the forsaken
May the sun shine brightly
And illuminate our scars
Willing Oneself to Forget What Cannot Otherwise Be Forgiven song meanings
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More Featured Meanings
Gentle Hour
Yo La Tengo
Yo La Tengo
I Can't Go To Sleep
Wu-Tang Clan
Wu-Tang Clan
This song is written as the perspective of the boys in the street, as a whole, and what path they are going to choose as they get older and grow into men. (This is why the music video takes place in an orphanage.) The seen, and unseen collective suffering is imbedded in the boys’ mind, consciously or subconsciously, and is haunting them. Which path will the boys choose? Issac Hayes is the voice of reason, maybe God, the angel on his shoulder, or the voice of his forefathers from beyond the grave who can see the big picture and are pleading with the boys not to continue the violence and pattern of killing their brothers, but to rise above. The most beautiful song and has so many levels. Racism towards African Americans in America would not exist if everyone sat down and listened to this song and understood the history behind the words. The power, fear, pleading in RZA and Ghostface voices are genuine and powerful. Issac Hayes’ strong voice makes the perfect strong father figure, who is possibly from beyond the grave.
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/
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.
these lyrics are unbeleiveable .. when i read them i feel like i'm reading poetry they are so original and well written
The sixth line is "Oh, how the cruelty of a person can scar"
And, the song is pretty self-explanatory...
Obvious meaning. SHAI HULUD destroys.