This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere.
In general, it highlights the danger of hidden agendas, manipulation, and distraction, serving as a critique of those who exploit chaos and confusion to control and gain power, depicting a cautionary tale against falling into their traps. It encourages us to question the narratives presented to us and remain vigilant against manipulation in various parts of society.
I retire to bed early most nights
You follow me in or you don't
And either way, it's alright
You've been going with her now for seventeen weeks
But that doesn't make a blind bit of difference to me
Just when you're ready to take on the world
Some other girl had to get there first
And it's obvious that you're a man that's after her own heart
But you know where I am
And you know that you could have both
She's away
And you get by without her very well
If I'm around
You get by without her even better
I don't kid myself about happy endings
I'm too old for that now
Out on my doorstep, your lip burst and bleeding
Well, that was a crash course for me
You acted the film star while you were still spoken for
It didn't look rosy for me
But I've considered the alternatives
A few degrees of separation can't be that bad
Just when you're ready to take on the world
Some other girl had to get there first
And it's obvious that you're a man that's after her own heart
But you know where I am
And you know that you could have both
I wanted the world
But some other girl had to get there first
And it's obvious that you're a man that's after her own heart
But you know where I am
So stop!
"I feel like C.C. Baxter in Wilder's 'Apartment',
That particular arrangement just came out of the blue
And who was it who sang 'I know that you love one
So why can't you love two?'
I was in full-time education when I got scared of the future
And I've only got a job so I don't disappoint my mother
It's like I've painted myself into a social corner
Well, that's what happens when you listen to
Saint Scott Walker
On headphones
On the bus.
What about us? What about us?
My friends come round and they ask me 'What about us?'
My friends come round and they ask me 'What about us?'
You know that I, I don't kid myself about happy endings
I'm too old for all that now
But you don't have to worry that much about the future
And it's not as if you ever did before
Because you'll always have everything just as you want it
And there'll always be a phone to ring at three in the morning
And you'll always have someone who'll drive you home
Yes, you'll always have someone, someone to drive you home.
Someone to drive you home."
Just when you're ready to take on the world
Some other girl had to get there first
And it's obvious that you're a man that's after her own heart
But you know where I am
And you know what I want
And I know I'll never have you completely alone
So I'm trying to draw up a contingency plan
And it's obvious that you're a man that's after her own heart
But you know where I am
And you know that you could have both
You could have both
You could have both.
You follow me in or you don't
And either way, it's alright
You've been going with her now for seventeen weeks
But that doesn't make a blind bit of difference to me
Just when you're ready to take on the world
Some other girl had to get there first
And it's obvious that you're a man that's after her own heart
But you know where I am
And you know that you could have both
She's away
And you get by without her very well
If I'm around
You get by without her even better
I don't kid myself about happy endings
I'm too old for that now
Out on my doorstep, your lip burst and bleeding
Well, that was a crash course for me
You acted the film star while you were still spoken for
It didn't look rosy for me
But I've considered the alternatives
A few degrees of separation can't be that bad
Just when you're ready to take on the world
Some other girl had to get there first
And it's obvious that you're a man that's after her own heart
But you know where I am
And you know that you could have both
I wanted the world
But some other girl had to get there first
And it's obvious that you're a man that's after her own heart
But you know where I am
So stop!
"I feel like C.C. Baxter in Wilder's 'Apartment',
That particular arrangement just came out of the blue
And who was it who sang 'I know that you love one
So why can't you love two?'
I was in full-time education when I got scared of the future
And I've only got a job so I don't disappoint my mother
It's like I've painted myself into a social corner
Well, that's what happens when you listen to
Saint Scott Walker
On headphones
On the bus.
What about us? What about us?
My friends come round and they ask me 'What about us?'
My friends come round and they ask me 'What about us?'
You know that I, I don't kid myself about happy endings
I'm too old for all that now
But you don't have to worry that much about the future
And it's not as if you ever did before
Because you'll always have everything just as you want it
And there'll always be a phone to ring at three in the morning
And you'll always have someone who'll drive you home
Yes, you'll always have someone, someone to drive you home.
Someone to drive you home."
Just when you're ready to take on the world
Some other girl had to get there first
And it's obvious that you're a man that's after her own heart
But you know where I am
And you know what I want
And I know I'll never have you completely alone
So I'm trying to draw up a contingency plan
And it's obvious that you're a man that's after her own heart
But you know where I am
And you know that you could have both
You could have both
You could have both.
Lyrics submitted by celticblade
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Hayalperest
Hayalperest
Gentle Hour
Yo La Tengo
Yo La Tengo
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't Go To Sleep
Wu-Tang Clan
Wu-Tang Clan
This song is written as the perspective of the boys in the street, as a whole, and what path they are going to choose as they get older and grow into men. (This is why the music video takes place in an orphanage.) The seen, and unseen collective suffering is imbedded in the boys’ mind, consciously or subconsciously, and is haunting them. Which path will the boys choose? Issac Hayes is the voice of reason, maybe God, the angel on his shoulder, or the voice of his forefathers from beyond the grave who can see the big picture and are pleading with the boys not to continue the violence and pattern of killing their brothers, but to rise above. The most beautiful song and has so many levels. Racism towards African Americans in America would not exist if everyone sat down and listened to this song and understood the history behind the words. The power, fear, pleading in RZA and Ghostface voices are genuine and powerful. Issac Hayes’ strong voice makes the perfect strong father figure, who is possibly from beyond the grave.
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/
Head > Heels
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Head > Heels” is a track that aims to capture what it feels like to experience romance that exceeds expectations. Ed Sheeran dedicates his album outro to a lover who has blessed him with a unique experience that he seeks to describe through the song’s nuanced lyrics.
And who was it who sang 'I know that you love one So why can't you love two?' - is an allusion to a line from My Love Life by Morrissey. I asked about this to Dorian, the songwriter himself, and he admitted to it.
That's true :) And 'I feel like CC Baxter' is a reference to one of my favourite Jack Lemmon films called 'The Apartment' where he lets workmates have trists in his apartment. Along, with 'A Knife For The Girls', my favourite song on the album. The speaky bit reminds me of Pulp.
yes very pulp. the talky bit also reminds me of 'torch' by soft cell. x
I'm not too sure about this, but shouldn't it be "And it's obvious that you're a man that's out to own her" instead of "And it's obvious that you're a man that's after her own heart" or am I mistaken?
The meaning of this song isn't too hard to figure out. I like this song. Most of all, I like the part where it goes:
She's away And you get by without her very well If I'm around You get by without her even better
I think that's really funny, in a way :)
Jackilynn, I originally had "out to own her", but the lyrics booklet in the album says "after her own heart", so I changed it.
the most pulp song on the album, no doubt. though it manages to be a little less... twisted... than pulp would have made it.
Dorian speaking on this reminds me of Eddie Argos a bit
their best song ever. its their most complete sounding. and it's just incredible.
On first hearing this song i was taken aback by the worded break-down, for me it almost encapsulates what the whole first album is about.