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're just a biological speculation
Sittin' here, vibratin'
And we don't know what we're vibratin' about
And the animal instinct in me
Makes me want to defend me
It makes me want to live when it's time to die
Y'all see my point?
I don't mean to come on strong but I am concerned
I believe in God
Though I know that law and order must prevail
Oh, if and when the laws of man
Is not just, equal and fair
Then the laws of nature will come and do her thing
Oh, she does not think
She just rectifies
She comes and balances the book
Y'all see my point?
Y'all see my point?
We're just a biological speculation
Sittin' here, vibratin'
And we don't know what we're vibratin' about
And the animal instinct in me
It makes me want to defend me
It makes me want to live when it's time to die
Y'all see my point? (y'all see my point?)
Some of you, you might not be aware
That some of us don't eat
Some of you don't, you don't even care
Oh, if and when the system
Creates hunger and hate
Then the laws of nature will come and do her thing
Oh, yes, oh!
She does not think
She works by instinct
Survival is her thing
Do y'all see my point? (ohh!)
Y'all see my point?
Sittin' here, vibratin'
And we don't know what we're vibratin' about
And the animal instinct in me
Makes me want to defend me
It makes me want to live when it's time to die
Y'all see my point?
I don't mean to come on strong but I am concerned
I believe in God
Though I know that law and order must prevail
Oh, if and when the laws of man
Is not just, equal and fair
Then the laws of nature will come and do her thing
Oh, she does not think
She just rectifies
She comes and balances the book
Y'all see my point?
Y'all see my point?
We're just a biological speculation
Sittin' here, vibratin'
And we don't know what we're vibratin' about
And the animal instinct in me
It makes me want to defend me
It makes me want to live when it's time to die
Y'all see my point? (y'all see my point?)
Some of you, you might not be aware
That some of us don't eat
Some of you don't, you don't even care
Oh, if and when the system
Creates hunger and hate
Then the laws of nature will come and do her thing
Oh, yes, oh!
She does not think
She works by instinct
Survival is her thing
Do y'all see my point? (ohh!)
Y'all see my point?
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It's about how people exist within the laws of nature in so much as they behave like animals when pressured. Poverty, suppression, etc lead to violent outbursts. It's basically providing a rational for revolt.