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,
Go for a lunch hour stroll
Why should you wind your way through Coca-Cola cabs
When you can jump your own shadow on Burnside Avenue?
I know you wish you'd stayed home
Now for the fourteenth time you are that kid
In backseats that blur under an angry moon
But the center cannont hold, that you cling to
You don't need to look for trouble
Trouble will find its way to you
But when there's nine thousand neckties in a swarm all around you
Lunch-counter girls are always so put on
Don't deconstruct the megadome it's inside you
Polaroids can't stand up when they're own
Ask me again if I can do you a favor
As the snow and the window get some business done
Your neighbor, who wishes you would stop getting locked out
It's all grist for your decay mill
So let the backlash begin
You would always say gray lightning was your only friend
The bleachers are empty the sky is an impossible blue
But I don't need to argue anymore
So I let you hack away
Until you decide you prefer the forest floor
But the center cannont hold
The center cannont hold
You don't need to look for trouble
Troble will find its way to you
Why should you wind your way through Coca-Cola cabs
When you can jump your own shadow on Burnside Avenue?
I know you wish you'd stayed home
Now for the fourteenth time you are that kid
In backseats that blur under an angry moon
But the center cannont hold, that you cling to
You don't need to look for trouble
Trouble will find its way to you
But when there's nine thousand neckties in a swarm all around you
Lunch-counter girls are always so put on
Don't deconstruct the megadome it's inside you
Polaroids can't stand up when they're own
Ask me again if I can do you a favor
As the snow and the window get some business done
Your neighbor, who wishes you would stop getting locked out
It's all grist for your decay mill
So let the backlash begin
You would always say gray lightning was your only friend
The bleachers are empty the sky is an impossible blue
But I don't need to argue anymore
So I let you hack away
Until you decide you prefer the forest floor
But the center cannont hold
The center cannont hold
You don't need to look for trouble
Troble will find its way to you
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Gentle Hour
Yo La Tengo
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I Can't Go To Sleep
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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.
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Blink-182
Blink-182
This is a sequel to 2001's "Reckless Abandon", and features the band looking back on their clumsy youth fondly.
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.
I always just thought this song to be simply about time passing by and the need to remember one's roots.
"The bleachers are empty" implies loneliness / going the less-tread path.
The whole third stanza has lots of time shifts: "As the snow and the window get some business done" "stop getting locked out" "decay mill" etc..
Probably just about living your life and not getting distracted by what other people want: "Don't deconstruct the Megadome; it's inside you"
I absolutely love Sound Team's lyrics. It's so awesome how everything comes together. It's sad that these comments are so naked.