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,
Belinda was mine 'til the time
That I found her holdin'
Jim and lovin' him.
Then Sue came along,
Loved me strong,
That's what I thought,
But me and Sue,
That died, too.
Don't know that I will
But until I can find me,
A girl who'll stay and
Won't play games behind me.
I'll be what I am,
A solitary man,
A solitary man.
I've had it to here - being where love's a small word,
A part time thing, a paper ring.
I know it's been done
Havin' one girl who loves you,
Right or wrong,
Weak or strong.
Don't know that I will
But until I can find me,
A girl who'll stay and
Won't play games behind me.
I'll be what I am,
A solitary man,
A solitary man.
That I found her holdin'
Jim and lovin' him.
Then Sue came along,
Loved me strong,
That's what I thought,
But me and Sue,
That died, too.
Don't know that I will
But until I can find me,
A girl who'll stay and
Won't play games behind me.
I'll be what I am,
A solitary man,
A solitary man.
I've had it to here - being where love's a small word,
A part time thing, a paper ring.
I know it's been done
Havin' one girl who loves you,
Right or wrong,
Weak or strong.
Don't know that I will
But until I can find me,
A girl who'll stay and
Won't play games behind me.
I'll be what I am,
A solitary man,
A solitary man.
Lyrics submitted by Hardcore_Icon
Solitary Man Lyrics as written by Neil Diamond
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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I think HIM did an amazing job on this cover and since these comments are supposed to state what the song is about and such I'm going to state the obvious subject - The guy has had alot of girls who cheated on him or dumped him for other guys (belinda and sue) and until he can find a girl who will love him for life and will be loyal to him hes going to be a solitary man - independant. - that pretty much sums it up I think oh yeah and HIM ROCKS! :D lol