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,
Paralyzed
And never coming back
Even when your eyes are open
Everything turns to black
Soon forgotten senses
Incubates the soul
Hiding from the light fantastic
Waiting for the show
Contemplation
Reality starts to fade
Creeping stare behind dead eyes
As the minutes burn the day
Inactive wandering
Still can't get a grip
Can God hear your cry
Before you start to slip
Chasing fear
Human mind unglued
Unaware
That fear is chasing you
Endless waiting
For nothing to appear
Even when your eyes are shut
The visions are so clear
Harmonious dissidence
Obscure reckoning
Did you hear that final note
Of silent suffering
Chasing fear
Human mind unglued
Disappear
The sickness inside of you
Chasing fear
Nothing you can do
Unaware
That fear is chasing you
Loss of function
Withering of the will
Condemned to a state of nothing
Moving in for the kill
Brain cells slowly boil
With memories intertwined
Listening to that empty space
Atrophy of the mind
Chasing fear
Human mind unglued
Disappear
The sickness inside of you
Chasing fear
Nothing you can do
Unaware
That fear is chasing you
And never coming back
Even when your eyes are open
Everything turns to black
Soon forgotten senses
Incubates the soul
Hiding from the light fantastic
Waiting for the show
Contemplation
Reality starts to fade
Creeping stare behind dead eyes
As the minutes burn the day
Inactive wandering
Still can't get a grip
Can God hear your cry
Before you start to slip
Chasing fear
Human mind unglued
Unaware
That fear is chasing you
Endless waiting
For nothing to appear
Even when your eyes are shut
The visions are so clear
Harmonious dissidence
Obscure reckoning
Did you hear that final note
Of silent suffering
Chasing fear
Human mind unglued
Disappear
The sickness inside of you
Chasing fear
Nothing you can do
Unaware
That fear is chasing you
Loss of function
Withering of the will
Condemned to a state of nothing
Moving in for the kill
Brain cells slowly boil
With memories intertwined
Listening to that empty space
Atrophy of the mind
Chasing fear
Human mind unglued
Disappear
The sickness inside of you
Chasing fear
Nothing you can do
Unaware
That fear is chasing you
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