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,
The little things you do to me
Are taking me over; I wanna show you
Everything inside of me
Like a nervous heart that is crazy beating
My feet are stuck here against the pavement
I wanna break free; I wanna make it
Closer to your eyes, get your attention
Before you pass me by
Back up, back up; take another chance
Don't you mess up, mess up; I don't wanna lose you
Wake up, wake up; this ain't just a thing that you
Give up, give up; don't you say that I'd be better off
Better off sitting by myself and wondering
If I'm better off, better off without you, boy
And every time you notice me
By holding me closely and saying sweet things
I don't believe that it could be
You speaking your mind and saying the real thing
My feet have broke free and I'm leaving
I'm not gonna stand here feeling lonely, but
I don't regret it and I don't think it
Was just a waste of time
Back up, back up; take another chance
Don't you mess up, mess up; I don't wanna lose you
Wake up, wake up; this ain't just a thing that you
Give up, give up; don't you say that I'd be better off
Better off sitting by myself and wondering
If I'm better off, better off without you, boy
Don't just leave me hanging on
Don't just leave me hanging on
The little things you do to me
Are taking me over; I wanna show you
Everything inside of me
Like a nervous heart that is crazy beating
My feet are stuck here against the pavement
I wanna break free; I wanna make it
Closer to your eyes, get your attention
Before you pass me by
Don't just leave me hanging on
Back up, back up; take another chance
Don't you mess up, mess up; I don't wanna lose you
Wake up, wake up; this ain't just a thing that you
Give up, give up; don't you say that I'd be better off
Better off sitting by myself and wondering
If I'm better off, better off without you, boy
Don't just leave me hanging on
Don't just leave me hanging on
Are taking me over; I wanna show you
Everything inside of me
Like a nervous heart that is crazy beating
My feet are stuck here against the pavement
I wanna break free; I wanna make it
Closer to your eyes, get your attention
Before you pass me by
Back up, back up; take another chance
Don't you mess up, mess up; I don't wanna lose you
Wake up, wake up; this ain't just a thing that you
Give up, give up; don't you say that I'd be better off
Better off sitting by myself and wondering
If I'm better off, better off without you, boy
And every time you notice me
By holding me closely and saying sweet things
I don't believe that it could be
You speaking your mind and saying the real thing
My feet have broke free and I'm leaving
I'm not gonna stand here feeling lonely, but
I don't regret it and I don't think it
Was just a waste of time
Back up, back up; take another chance
Don't you mess up, mess up; I don't wanna lose you
Wake up, wake up; this ain't just a thing that you
Give up, give up; don't you say that I'd be better off
Better off sitting by myself and wondering
If I'm better off, better off without you, boy
Don't just leave me hanging on
Don't just leave me hanging on
The little things you do to me
Are taking me over; I wanna show you
Everything inside of me
Like a nervous heart that is crazy beating
My feet are stuck here against the pavement
I wanna break free; I wanna make it
Closer to your eyes, get your attention
Before you pass me by
Don't just leave me hanging on
Back up, back up; take another chance
Don't you mess up, mess up; I don't wanna lose you
Wake up, wake up; this ain't just a thing that you
Give up, give up; don't you say that I'd be better off
Better off sitting by myself and wondering
If I'm better off, better off without you, boy
Don't just leave me hanging on
Don't just leave me hanging on
Lyrics submitted by acousticxxbaby
The Little Things Lyrics as written by David James Wolinski Louis Andre Fischer
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Spirit Music Group, Songtrust Ave
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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i completely agree with the first explanation.. she has such a raw amazing voice i wish there were more artists like her