I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
a dirty deed is brewing
like ivy overgrowing
the scissors poised and ready
and she said that she was going
and a thousand years of waiting
they put it all in writing
she pricked her finger for it
but she's not cooperating
oh i swear by the river styx
thats where i am fixed
and i think the time is nearing
i think i might be thawing
if only i were certain
that my temperature weren't falling
and the tourists who've been coming
from my body sawing
pieces for exhibits
where impressive crowds are drawing
oh i swear by the river styx
thats where i am fixed
and if i had the patience and i had the money
and i had the humor and i had the offer
and the space and the time and the talent
and i had the power and i had the reason
and the virtue and i had the cunning
and i had the status and i had the wisdom
and i had the audience and the admission
and i had the method and i had the quiet
and i had the motive and the story
and i had the money and i had the time
then i just might try
if only i could prove it
if only i weren't stupid
if only i could torture
all the people who can do it
and through the final hour
i am destined to devour
the thousand hours of inspiration
slowly growing sour
and if i had an offer to be better
i'd decline
and if that were more awful to consider
i'd be fine
and if it were all my fault
that i'm bitter
and i've pined and i've regretted
that i aided and abetted
this end and if it isn't
i should probably forget it
and the contract's in the fire
i am starting to feel tired
i choke that i'm forgiven
but i've always been a liar
and i had an offer to better
i'd decline
and if that were more awful to consider
i'd be fine
and if it were all my fault
that i'm bitter
like ivy overgrowing
the scissors poised and ready
and she said that she was going
and a thousand years of waiting
they put it all in writing
she pricked her finger for it
but she's not cooperating
oh i swear by the river styx
thats where i am fixed
and i think the time is nearing
i think i might be thawing
if only i were certain
that my temperature weren't falling
and the tourists who've been coming
from my body sawing
pieces for exhibits
where impressive crowds are drawing
oh i swear by the river styx
thats where i am fixed
and if i had the patience and i had the money
and i had the humor and i had the offer
and the space and the time and the talent
and i had the power and i had the reason
and the virtue and i had the cunning
and i had the status and i had the wisdom
and i had the audience and the admission
and i had the method and i had the quiet
and i had the motive and the story
and i had the money and i had the time
then i just might try
if only i could prove it
if only i weren't stupid
if only i could torture
all the people who can do it
and through the final hour
i am destined to devour
the thousand hours of inspiration
slowly growing sour
and if i had an offer to be better
i'd decline
and if that were more awful to consider
i'd be fine
and if it were all my fault
that i'm bitter
and i've pined and i've regretted
that i aided and abetted
this end and if it isn't
i should probably forget it
and the contract's in the fire
i am starting to feel tired
i choke that i'm forgiven
but i've always been a liar
and i had an offer to better
i'd decline
and if that were more awful to consider
i'd be fine
and if it were all my fault
that i'm bitter
Lyrics submitted by iggy1110
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Yo La Tengo
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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,
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Punchline
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I could be way off, but I feel that the demo version of this song reflects frustruation with the music industry and not being able to "make it" as a start for whatever reasons.