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,
You know I'm not dead
You know I'm you know I'm not dead
You know I'm not dead
Now you know where I've been
As you sleep shine I am
Waiting down patiently
Born of love
You know I'm you know I'm not dead
I'm just living in my head
Forever waiting on the ways of your desire
You always find your way
And through it all into us all you move
Forgotten touch, forbidden thought
We can never, ever know
You know I'm not dead
You know I'm, you know I'm not dead
You know I'm not dead
Down below the creatures scream
Strangehold of God's machines
Begging to tear us out
Worn as hope
You know I'm, you know I'm not dead
I'm just the tears inside your head
Forever waiting on the ways of your desire
You always find a way
And through it all, into us all you move
Forgotten touch, forbidden thought
We can never, ever know
You know I'm not dead
We all want to hold in the everlasting gaze
Enchanted in the rapture of his sentimental sway
But underneath the wheels lie the skulls of every cog
The fickle fascination of an everlasting God
You know I'm not dead
I'm just living in my head
Forever waiting, forever waiting a cruel death
You know I'm not dead
I'm just living for myself
Forever waiting
You know I'm not dead
You know I'm not dead
You know I'm not dead
You know I'm not dead
You know I'm you know I'm not dead
You know I'm not dead
Now you know where I've been
As you sleep shine I am
Waiting down patiently
Born of love
You know I'm you know I'm not dead
I'm just living in my head
Forever waiting on the ways of your desire
You always find your way
And through it all into us all you move
Forgotten touch, forbidden thought
We can never, ever know
You know I'm not dead
You know I'm, you know I'm not dead
You know I'm not dead
Down below the creatures scream
Strangehold of God's machines
Begging to tear us out
Worn as hope
You know I'm, you know I'm not dead
I'm just the tears inside your head
Forever waiting on the ways of your desire
You always find a way
And through it all, into us all you move
Forgotten touch, forbidden thought
We can never, ever know
You know I'm not dead
We all want to hold in the everlasting gaze
Enchanted in the rapture of his sentimental sway
But underneath the wheels lie the skulls of every cog
The fickle fascination of an everlasting God
You know I'm not dead
I'm just living in my head
Forever waiting, forever waiting a cruel death
You know I'm not dead
I'm just living for myself
Forever waiting
You know I'm not dead
You know I'm not dead
You know I'm not dead
You know I'm not dead
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More Featured Meanings
Gentle Hour
Yo La Tengo
Yo La Tengo
When We Were Young
Blink-182
Blink-182
This is a sequel to 2001's "Reckless Abandon", and features the band looking back on their clumsy youth fondly.
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/
Punchline
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran sings about missing his former partner and learning important life lessons in the process on “Punchline.” This track tells a story of battling to get rid of emotions for a former lover, whom he now realized might not have loved him the same way. He’s now caught between accepting that fact and learning life lessons from it and going back to beg her for another chance.
I intrepret the song to be sung (through Billy Corgan) from Christ's perspective as he addresses the world. Trust me, if you really listen to the song, this intrepretation is conssistent throughout. I'd go further into this interpretation... but seriously, who'd read it?