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 can see
When you stay low
Nothing happens
Does it feel right?
Late at night
Things I thought I'd put behind me
Haunt my mind
I just know there's no escape now
Once it sets it's eyes on you
But I won't run
Have to stare it in the eyes
Stand my ground
I won't give in
No more denying
I've gotta face it
Won't close my eyes and hide the truth inside
If I don't make it, someone else will
Stand my ground
It's all around
Getting stronger, coming closer into my world
I can feel that it's time for me to face it
Can I take it?
Though this might just be the ending
Of the life I held so dear
But I won't run
There's no turning back from here
Stand my ground
I won't give in
No more denying
I've gotta face it
Won't close my eyes and hide the truth inside
If I don't make it, someone else will
Stand my ground
All I know for sure is that I'm trying
I will always stand my ground
Stand my ground
I won't give in, (I won't give in)
I won't give up, (I won't give up)
No more denying (ah)
I've gotta face it
Won't close my eyes and hide the truth inside
If I don't make it, someone else will
Stand my ground
I won't give in
No more denying
I've gotta face it
Won't close my eyes and hide the truth inside
If I don't make it, someone else will
Stand my ground
When you stay low
Nothing happens
Does it feel right?
Late at night
Things I thought I'd put behind me
Haunt my mind
I just know there's no escape now
Once it sets it's eyes on you
But I won't run
Have to stare it in the eyes
Stand my ground
I won't give in
No more denying
I've gotta face it
Won't close my eyes and hide the truth inside
If I don't make it, someone else will
Stand my ground
It's all around
Getting stronger, coming closer into my world
I can feel that it's time for me to face it
Can I take it?
Though this might just be the ending
Of the life I held so dear
But I won't run
There's no turning back from here
Stand my ground
I won't give in
No more denying
I've gotta face it
Won't close my eyes and hide the truth inside
If I don't make it, someone else will
Stand my ground
All I know for sure is that I'm trying
I will always stand my ground
Stand my ground
I won't give in, (I won't give in)
I won't give up, (I won't give up)
No more denying (ah)
I've gotta face it
Won't close my eyes and hide the truth inside
If I don't make it, someone else will
Stand my ground
I won't give in
No more denying
I've gotta face it
Won't close my eyes and hide the truth inside
If I don't make it, someone else will
Stand my ground
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there is one sentence that i dont get in this song but jumps out the most: If I Don't Make It, Someone Else Will
when i heard the song for the first song this sentence got my attention. and i thought the song was about revenge wich that sentence would imply. but obviously the song is not about revenge
so what does that sentence mean?