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,
When you’re down and troubled
And you need a helping hand
And nothing whoa nothing is going right
Close your eyes and think of me
And soon I will be there
To brighten up even your darkest nights
You just call out my name
And you know wherever I am
Ill come running oh yeah baby
To see you again
Winter spring summer or fall
All you have to do is call
And Ill be there yeah yeah yeah
You’ve got a friend
If the sky above you
Should turn dark and full of clouds
And that old north wind should begin to blow
Keep your head together and call my name out loud
And soon I will be knocking upon your door
You just call out my name and you know where ever I am
I'll come running to see you again
Winter spring summer or fall
All you got to do is call
And Ill be there yeah yeah yeah
Hey isn’t it good to know that you’ve got a friend?
People can be so cold
They’ll hurt you and desert you
Well they’ll take your soul if you let them
Oh yeah but don’t you let them
You just call out my name and you know wherever I am
Ill come running to see you again
Oh babe don’t you know that
Winter spring summer or fall
Hey now all you’ve got to do is call
Lord Ill be there yes I will
You’ve got a friend
You’ve got a friend
Isn’t it good to know you’ve got a friend
Isn’t it good to know you’ve got a friend
You’ve got a friend
And you need a helping hand
And nothing whoa nothing is going right
Close your eyes and think of me
And soon I will be there
To brighten up even your darkest nights
You just call out my name
And you know wherever I am
Ill come running oh yeah baby
To see you again
Winter spring summer or fall
All you have to do is call
And Ill be there yeah yeah yeah
You’ve got a friend
If the sky above you
Should turn dark and full of clouds
And that old north wind should begin to blow
Keep your head together and call my name out loud
And soon I will be knocking upon your door
You just call out my name and you know where ever I am
I'll come running to see you again
Winter spring summer or fall
All you got to do is call
And Ill be there yeah yeah yeah
Hey isn’t it good to know that you’ve got a friend?
People can be so cold
They’ll hurt you and desert you
Well they’ll take your soul if you let them
Oh yeah but don’t you let them
You just call out my name and you know wherever I am
Ill come running to see you again
Oh babe don’t you know that
Winter spring summer or fall
Hey now all you’ve got to do is call
Lord Ill be there yes I will
You’ve got a friend
You’ve got a friend
Isn’t it good to know you’ve got a friend
Isn’t it good to know you’ve got a friend
You’ve got a friend
Lyrics submitted by MaenChild
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