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,
Had me a trick and a kick and your message
Well you'll never gain weight from a doughnut hole
Then thought that I could decipher your message
There's no one here dear
No one at all
And if I'm wasting all your time
This time
Maybe you never learned to take
And if I'm hanging on to your shade
I guess I'm way beyond the pale
And southern men can grow gold
Can grow pertty
Blood can be pertty
Like a delicate man
Copper to steel to a hinge that is faltered
That let's you in let's you in let's you in
Something's just keeping you numb
You told me last night
You were a sun now with your very own
Devoted satellite
Happy for you
And I am sure that I hate you
Too sons too many too many able fires
And if I'm wasting all your time
This time
I think you never learned to take
And if I'm hanging on to your shade
I guess I'm way beyond the pale
Well you'll never gain weight from a doughnut hole
Then thought that I could decipher your message
There's no one here dear
No one at all
And if I'm wasting all your time
This time
Maybe you never learned to take
And if I'm hanging on to your shade
I guess I'm way beyond the pale
And southern men can grow gold
Can grow pertty
Blood can be pertty
Like a delicate man
Copper to steel to a hinge that is faltered
That let's you in let's you in let's you in
Something's just keeping you numb
You told me last night
You were a sun now with your very own
Devoted satellite
Happy for you
And I am sure that I hate you
Too sons too many too many able fires
And if I'm wasting all your time
This time
I think you never learned to take
And if I'm hanging on to your shade
I guess I'm way beyond the pale
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i see a lot of complex emotions in this song, and a progression from hurt, despair and rejection to anger and strength. '...cotton to steel, to hinge that is faltered'. soft to hard hearted (at least trying to), but gives way to this man against her better judgement. also about ex lovers being friends, but one still in love whilst the other has moved on. this song always spoke to me the most when i started to move on from a relationship, but that horrible moment of loving and hating at the same time