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,
(Boots, boys)
I think it's time that I mention
I've got myself an obsession For the smell, for the touch ?
I know I got myself a habit but I've got to have it now
I don't care where work it out
(Let me break it down)
I try it on, I take it off
So what you got?
Something 'bout boots and boys (boots and boys)
They bring me so much joy (bring me joy)
(I gotta say it) I wear 'em both so pretty as I walk in the city
(Watch out) boots and boys
(Give me boots and boys)
Boots and boys
(Give me boots and boys)
Oh
I'm keeping quite the collection
Take nothing less than perfection
Cowboy boots, cowboy boys
Mmm, oh the joy
My men drop beats like a bomb
Excuse me, now, huh?
Wind me up, spin me 'round
Oh, look at what I've found (oh)
Boots and boys (boots and boys)
They bring me so much joy (bring me joy)
(I gotta say it) I wear 'em both so pretty as I walk in the city
(Watch out) boots and boys
(Give me boots and boys)
Crazy for you, crazy for you (give me boots and boys)
I'm crazy for you, crazy for you (give me boots and boys)
I'm crazy for you, crazy for you (give me boots and boys)
Oh
(Hey) watcha lookin' at?
(Hey) something you can't have
(Yeah) they've got me lookin' rad
Ya feelin' that?
Boots and boys (boots and boys)
They bring me so much joy (bring me joy)
(I gotta say it) I wear 'em both so pretty as I walk in the city
(Watch out) boots and boys
Something 'bout boots and boys (boots and boys)
They bring me so much joy (bring me joy)
I gotta say I wear 'em both so pretty as I walk in the city
Watch out, boots and boys (give me boots and boys)
Crazy for you, crazy for you (give me boots and boys)
I'm crazy for you, crazy for you (give me boots and boys)
I'm crazy for you, crazy for you (give me boots and boys)
Oh
I think it's time that I mention
I've got myself an obsession For the smell, for the touch ?
I know I got myself a habit but I've got to have it now
I don't care where work it out
(Let me break it down)
I try it on, I take it off
So what you got?
Something 'bout boots and boys (boots and boys)
They bring me so much joy (bring me joy)
(I gotta say it) I wear 'em both so pretty as I walk in the city
(Watch out) boots and boys
(Give me boots and boys)
Boots and boys
(Give me boots and boys)
Oh
I'm keeping quite the collection
Take nothing less than perfection
Cowboy boots, cowboy boys
Mmm, oh the joy
My men drop beats like a bomb
Excuse me, now, huh?
Wind me up, spin me 'round
Oh, look at what I've found (oh)
Boots and boys (boots and boys)
They bring me so much joy (bring me joy)
(I gotta say it) I wear 'em both so pretty as I walk in the city
(Watch out) boots and boys
(Give me boots and boys)
Crazy for you, crazy for you (give me boots and boys)
I'm crazy for you, crazy for you (give me boots and boys)
I'm crazy for you, crazy for you (give me boots and boys)
Oh
(Hey) watcha lookin' at?
(Hey) something you can't have
(Yeah) they've got me lookin' rad
Ya feelin' that?
Boots and boys (boots and boys)
They bring me so much joy (bring me joy)
(I gotta say it) I wear 'em both so pretty as I walk in the city
(Watch out) boots and boys
Something 'bout boots and boys (boots and boys)
They bring me so much joy (bring me joy)
I gotta say I wear 'em both so pretty as I walk in the city
Watch out, boots and boys (give me boots and boys)
Crazy for you, crazy for you (give me boots and boys)
I'm crazy for you, crazy for you (give me boots and boys)
I'm crazy for you, crazy for you (give me boots and boys)
Oh
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More Featured Meanings
Gentle Hour
Yo La Tengo
Yo La Tengo
No Surprises
Radiohead
Radiohead
Same ideas expressed in Fitter, Happier are expressed in this song. We're told to strive for some sort of ideal life, which includes getting a good job, being kind to everyone, finding a partner, getting married, having a couple kids, living in a quiet neighborhood in a nice big house, etc. But in Fitter, Happier the narrator(?) realizes that it's incredibly robotic to live this life. People are being used by those in power "like a pig in a cage on antibiotics"--being pacified with things like new phones and cool gadgets and houses while being sucked dry. On No Surprises, the narrator is realizing how this life is killing him slowly. In the video, his helmet is slowly filling up with water, drowning him. But he's so complacent with it. This is a good summary of the song. This boring, "perfect" life foisted upon us by some higher powers (not spiritual, but political, economic, etc. politicians and businessmen, perhaps) is not the way to live. But there is seemingly no way out but death. He'd rather die peacefully right now than live in this cage. While our lives are often shielded, we're in our own protective bubbles, or protective helmets like the one Thom wears, if we look a little harder we can see all the corruption, lies, manipulation, etc. that is going on in the world, often run by huge yet nearly invisible organizations, corporations, and 'leaders'. It's a very hopeless song because it reflects real life.
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/
American Town
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran shares a short story of reconnecting with an old flame on “American Town.” The track is about a holiday Ed Sheeran spends with his countrywoman who resides in America. The two are back together after a long period apart, and get around to enjoying a bunch of fun activities while rekindling the flames of their romance.
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.
I love this song! It's so true!