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,
Perfection,
We cannot live as prophets
We cannot sleep tonight
Given life's breath
Everyday's a privilege
Nipping at our heels
Attempting to lead us off these cliffs
Heartache navigate
We're taking the long way home
Chalkline's traced
But I haven't hit the ground just yet
Looking up,
They formed a circle
It starts to pour
This ledge is slippery when wet
I've got my best shoes on
Tied so tight
Reflecting light
They're waiting
They're planning
Black umbrella day i wake to you
Blind sided
Sidestepping
My eyelids have been sewed shut
I can see between these threads
Success,
Trial without a jury
I stutter in defense
Focus on these veins
Like highways,
They bind and they twist
This witness bench has been empty
Cells have clashed like head on
Collision course
Chalkline's traced
But I haven't hit the ground just yet
Looking up,
They formed a circle
It starts to pour this ledge is slippery
I've got my best shoes on
Tied so tight
Reflecting light
They're waiting
They're planning
Black umbrella day I wake to you
Blind sided
Sidestepping
My eyelids have been sewed shut
I can see between these threads
Chalkline's traced
But I haven't hit the ground just yet
Looking up,
They formed a circle
It starts to pour this ledge is slippery When I got my best look on
Smooth and suave
They push to shove
Tied so tight
Reflecting light
they're waiting
they're planning
black umbrella day i wake to you
blind sided
sidestepping
my eyelids have been sewed shut
i can see between these threads
they're waiting
they're planning
blind sided
sidestepping
We cannot live as prophets
We cannot sleep tonight
Given life's breath
Everyday's a privilege
Nipping at our heels
Attempting to lead us off these cliffs
Heartache navigate
We're taking the long way home
Chalkline's traced
But I haven't hit the ground just yet
Looking up,
They formed a circle
It starts to pour
This ledge is slippery when wet
I've got my best shoes on
Tied so tight
Reflecting light
They're waiting
They're planning
Black umbrella day i wake to you
Blind sided
Sidestepping
My eyelids have been sewed shut
I can see between these threads
Success,
Trial without a jury
I stutter in defense
Focus on these veins
Like highways,
They bind and they twist
This witness bench has been empty
Cells have clashed like head on
Collision course
Chalkline's traced
But I haven't hit the ground just yet
Looking up,
They formed a circle
It starts to pour this ledge is slippery
I've got my best shoes on
Tied so tight
Reflecting light
They're waiting
They're planning
Black umbrella day I wake to you
Blind sided
Sidestepping
My eyelids have been sewed shut
I can see between these threads
Chalkline's traced
But I haven't hit the ground just yet
Looking up,
They formed a circle
It starts to pour this ledge is slippery When I got my best look on
Smooth and suave
They push to shove
Tied so tight
Reflecting light
they're waiting
they're planning
black umbrella day i wake to you
blind sided
sidestepping
my eyelids have been sewed shut
i can see between these threads
they're waiting
they're planning
blind sided
sidestepping
Lyrics submitted by nikki04
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
Magical
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
How would you describe the feeling of being in love? For Ed Sheeran, the word is “Magical.” in HIS three-minute album opener, he makes an attempt to capture the beauty and delicacy of true love with words. He describes the magic of it all over a bright Pop song produced by Aaron Dessner.
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.
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.
Page
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
There aren’t many things that’ll hurt more than giving love a chance against your better judgement only to have your heart crushed yet again. Ed Sheeran tells such a story on “Page.” On this track, he is devastated to have lost his lover and even more saddened by the feeling that he may never move on from this.
I think this song is amazing, just love it so much.