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,
There've been too many sad goodbyes
Too many tears I've cried
Promises made and dreams that died
Have left me hurt inside
I want your love
Like none I've known before
But unless you're sure
Don't you give your heart
Unless you give it all the way
Don't give me just the part
'Cause that would be too cruel a game to play
Be sure or don't you give your heart
It takes so long for me to mend
Each time love comes to an end
Don't think I'll make it through
That's why I must know the truth
Am I the one that you can't live without?
If there's any doubt
Don't you give your heart
(Don't give your heart)
Unless you give it all the way
Don't give me just a part
(Not just a part)
'Cause that would be too cruel a game to play
Be sure or don't you give your heart
If you really truly care
All I ask is you be fair with me
'Cause the longer that you keep making me wait
The harder it's gonna be to take
Don't give your heart
Don't give me just a part
(Not just a part)
'Cause that would be too cruel a game to play
Be sure or don't you give your heart
Don't give your heart unless you give it
(Give it all the way)
All the way, baby, don't give
(My love)
My love
(You do to take it all the way)
Unless you give it
(All the way)
My love, my love, don't give your heart
Too many tears I've cried
Promises made and dreams that died
Have left me hurt inside
I want your love
Like none I've known before
But unless you're sure
Don't you give your heart
Unless you give it all the way
Don't give me just the part
'Cause that would be too cruel a game to play
Be sure or don't you give your heart
It takes so long for me to mend
Each time love comes to an end
Don't think I'll make it through
That's why I must know the truth
Am I the one that you can't live without?
If there's any doubt
Don't you give your heart
(Don't give your heart)
Unless you give it all the way
Don't give me just a part
(Not just a part)
'Cause that would be too cruel a game to play
Be sure or don't you give your heart
If you really truly care
All I ask is you be fair with me
'Cause the longer that you keep making me wait
The harder it's gonna be to take
Don't give your heart
Don't give me just a part
(Not just a part)
'Cause that would be too cruel a game to play
Be sure or don't you give your heart
Don't give your heart unless you give it
(Give it all the way)
All the way, baby, don't give
(My love)
My love
(You do to take it all the way)
Unless you give it
(All the way)
My love, my love, don't give your heart
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
More Featured Meanings
Gentle Hour
Yo La Tengo
Yo La Tengo
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.
Page
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
There aren’t many things that’ll hurt more than giving love a chance against your better judgement only to have your heart crushed yet again. Ed Sheeran tells such a story on “Page.” On this track, he is devastated to have lost his lover and even more saddened by the feeling that he may never move on from this.
Another Love
Tom Odell
Tom Odell
I think the meaning is pretty clear. This person got really burned in a previous relationship, and because of this is unable to love and show care in his present one, even though he so badly wants to. It's lovely song, and very sad. You can really feel how defeated and frustrated he is with himself.
Indigo
Of Mice & Men
Of Mice & Men
This track is about is about questioning why the sky would choose to be blue if it had the choice to be anything else, “blue also meaning sad,” states frontman Aaron Pauley. “It's about comforting a loved one in a time of loss by telling them you feel blue, too.”