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,
Oh recourse
Our nature is a force
So, cut it at the source
And go
A life without remorse
I'll obey
Though I am afraid
Of what it is to be alone
Awake
And happiest at play
I'm all smiles
Confident and wild
Wired with every instrument
Control
And careless all the while
Until I recall
Everything and all
Is wrong
Panic is a slow
Dissolve
A terror quiet calm
Our nature is a force
So, cut it at the source
And go
A life without remorse
I'll obey
Though I am afraid
Of what it is to be alone
Awake
And happiest at play
I'm all smiles
Confident and wild
Wired with every instrument
Control
And careless all the while
Until I recall
Everything and all
Is wrong
Panic is a slow
Dissolve
A terror quiet calm
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