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,
We must modernize Jerusalem
Detonate the temples, let them fall over the dust
We will organize in Bethlehem
Able-bodied women and agnostic headstrong men
Oh, we'll meet at 10
If you lose your fear of God, you are an animal at heart
Oh
Show your teeth to everyone, don't let no one prove you wrong
You are an animal, an animal, an animal
Show your teeth to everyone, don't let no one prove you wrong
You are an animal, an animal, an animal
We must rearrange reality, shuffle all the cards
Pair the joker with the queen, just to make her scream
To destroy all our enemies, must investigate our friends
Find the ones who don't believe
Hang them from the trees
If you lose your fear of God, you are an animal at heart
Show your teeth to everyone, don't let no one prove you wrong
You are an animal, an animal, an animal
Show your teeth to everyone, don't let no one prove you wrong
You are an animal, an animal, an animal
Show your teeth to everyone, don't let no one prove you wrong
You are an animal, an animal, an animal
Show your teeth to everyone, don't let no one prove you wrong
You are an animal, an animal, an animal
Detonate the temples, let them fall over the dust
We will organize in Bethlehem
Able-bodied women and agnostic headstrong men
Oh, we'll meet at 10
If you lose your fear of God, you are an animal at heart
Oh
Show your teeth to everyone, don't let no one prove you wrong
You are an animal, an animal, an animal
Show your teeth to everyone, don't let no one prove you wrong
You are an animal, an animal, an animal
We must rearrange reality, shuffle all the cards
Pair the joker with the queen, just to make her scream
To destroy all our enemies, must investigate our friends
Find the ones who don't believe
Hang them from the trees
If you lose your fear of God, you are an animal at heart
Show your teeth to everyone, don't let no one prove you wrong
You are an animal, an animal, an animal
Show your teeth to everyone, don't let no one prove you wrong
You are an animal, an animal, an animal
Show your teeth to everyone, don't let no one prove you wrong
You are an animal, an animal, an animal
Show your teeth to everyone, don't let no one prove you wrong
You are an animal, an animal, an animal
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Gentle Hour
Yo La Tengo
Yo La Tengo
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/
Blue
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Blue” is a song about a love that is persisting in the discomfort of the person experiencing the emotion. Ed Sheeran reflects on love lost, and although he wishes his former partner find happiness, he cannot but admit his feelings are still very much there. He expresses the realization that he might never find another on this stringed instrumental by Aaron Dessner.
Plastic Bag
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Plastic Bag” is a song about searching for an escape from personal problems and hoping to find it in the lively atmosphere of a Saturday night party. Ed Sheeran tells the story of his friend and the myriad of troubles he is going through. Unable to find any solutions, this friend seeks a last resort in a party and the vanity that comes with it.
“I overthink and have trouble sleepin’ / All purpose gone and don’t have a reason / And there’s no doctor to stop this bleedin’ / So I left home and jumped in the deep end,” Ed Sheeran sings in verse one. He continues by adding that this person is feeling the weight of having disappointed his father and doesn’t have any friends to rely on in this difficult moment. In the second verse, Ed sings about the role of grief in his friend’s plight and his dwindling faith in prayer. “Saturday night is givin’ me a reason to rely on the strobe lights / The lifeline of a promise in a shot glass, and I’ll take that / If you’re givin’ out love from a plastic bag,” Ed sings on the chorus, as his friend turns to new vices in hopes of feeling better.
This song is amazing. Well, the whole album is, really. I'm not too sure about the last word of the second line either, perhaps it's "dust"? That's what it sounds like to me anyways.
"We will organize in Bethlehem. Able-bodied women and agnostic headstrong men." Haha, that is epic! This is classic anti-religion Jenny Lewis. Love it.
This is a beautiful songgg. Johnny Rice is a GOD!
I think this song is just about stripping your ego in a way and seeing past the egos of others. We're all animals overall, and once you get past "the fear of God" or the boundaries of society you can come to terms with what you are: something simple at a first glance but immensely complex once you see past that.