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,
There’s no sign of love
I can see the faces
underneath the smile
everyone’s alone
And they don’t believe you so
no, they won’t believe you, no
we are the only ones
that won't let go
get somebody else to
tell you how you feel inside
let it go, let it go
this seems so surreal
keg of empty promise
constantly I feel
shaking in my bones
And they don’t believe you so
No, they won’t believe you, know
am I the only one
who hurts my soul
Get somebody else to tell you how you feel inside
and you let somebody else drag you down
don’t fake it all, don’t fake it all
You're the leader in the basement
let it go, let it go
I’m a fool at heart
I’m weighted up against
the cruelest of hearts
I’m weighted up against
I sing sweet again
I sing sweet again
I sing sweet again
Don’t feel bad
Do what you want no, no
I want to believe you so
Do what you want no, no
Why should I feel so bad
we’re keeping it no, no...
Get somebody else to tell you how you feel inside
and you let somebody else drag you down
But don’t fake it all, don’t fake it all
You're the leader in the basement
let it go, let it go
I can see the faces
underneath the smile
everyone’s alone
And they don’t believe you so
no, they won’t believe you, no
we are the only ones
that won't let go
get somebody else to
tell you how you feel inside
let it go, let it go
this seems so surreal
keg of empty promise
constantly I feel
shaking in my bones
And they don’t believe you so
No, they won’t believe you, know
am I the only one
who hurts my soul
Get somebody else to tell you how you feel inside
and you let somebody else drag you down
don’t fake it all, don’t fake it all
You're the leader in the basement
let it go, let it go
I’m a fool at heart
I’m weighted up against
the cruelest of hearts
I’m weighted up against
I sing sweet again
I sing sweet again
I sing sweet again
Don’t feel bad
Do what you want no, no
I want to believe you so
Do what you want no, no
Why should I feel so bad
we’re keeping it no, no...
Get somebody else to tell you how you feel inside
and you let somebody else drag you down
But don’t fake it all, don’t fake it all
You're the leader in the basement
let it go, let it go
Lyrics submitted by thenightopus
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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/
Amazing
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran tells a story of unsuccessfully trying to feel “Amazing.” This track is about the being weighed down by emotional stress despite valiant attempts to find some positivity in the situation. This track was written by Ed Sheeran from the perspective of his friend. From the track, we see this person fall deeper into the negative thoughts and slide further down the path of mental torment with every lyric.
And there's no comment on this song because..? It's a great song. I can't wait to see them next month.
you will completely enjoy their show, the best show i have ever seen was with atal. simply genious and beautiful
yeah, atal is definitely one of the best live bands i've seen.
"get somebody else to tell you how you feel inside and you let somebody else drag you down" -fucking sick line
this is one of my favorite songs by them. i love the lyrics.
since no one really commented on the meaning, i tried to figure out what '96 heartbeats' meant and i looked here: fi.edu/biosci/monitor/heartbeat.html
and i think 96 heartbeats just sounds like an increased human heart rate, in case anyone as curious. :)
This song is an attack on the music industry and the struggles of bands being pushed into corners and being forced to be cookie cutter.
this is my favorite song by them, mostly because it's just plain honest: "underneath the smiles, everyone's alone." it's so true, whether or not we want to realize it.
i also really like the part that says "i'm a fool at heart, i'm weighted up against the cruelest of hearts..." but then it goes on to say "i sing sweet again", basically saying that even though we are alone, it shouldn't keep us from trying to live our lives as optimistically as we can.
Guy loves girl with all his being.
Girl loves guy, but her friends don't like it. They're jealous bitter old hags and they're only 17. They try to distort her love and corrupt her with doubt in the guy.
Guy is sick of it.
love/ this song.
First off this is a awesome song and can be taken many ways but I perceive the song to be about an abortion. 96 upside down is 96 ... maybe two peoples "heartbeats" raised above average level (average is around 64 beats per minute according to radiology.rsna.org) because of criticism from other people, "Get somebody else to tell you how you feel inside and you let somebody else drag you down." The second to last stanza states, "Don't feel bad / Do what you want no, no / I want to believe you so /Do what you want no, no /Why should I feel so bad / we're keeping it no, no..."
Please give some insight of have some, thanks
i agree with Lexaniatx, there is mention of abortion in Milk and Honey:
You told me once your body flowed with milk and honey but what happened to our boy inside your tummy?