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,
This isn't violence this is just a war in my head
I give it time but it never seems to end
I feel a fire in the back of my throat
So let's get covered in flames and play some games with the smoke
You said "don't you try to run right now, 'cause baby I could burn you down"
You make your way into my veins
Course right through my limbs and dig your way into my brain
So in the second that you walk, walk into a room
I can't help myself from that thing that you do
Oh you're killing me right now
(You're killing me killing me right now)
I think it's time you burn me down
I love the things we do, when it's just me and you
I'm burning up, burning up oh
Burning up, yeah
Oh you're killing me right now
I think it's time you burn me down
You're just a ghost of blissful feelings
A cloud of smoke that I keep breathing
An illusion, I'm losing you to the games in my mind
I see your face, an apparition
But now it's changed
Shape shifting
Don't wanna open my eyes
Yeah, oh
Oh you're killing me right now
(The things we do me and you)
I give it time but it never seems to end
I feel a fire in the back of my throat
So let's get covered in flames and play some games with the smoke
You said "don't you try to run right now, 'cause baby I could burn you down"
You make your way into my veins
Course right through my limbs and dig your way into my brain
So in the second that you walk, walk into a room
I can't help myself from that thing that you do
Oh you're killing me right now
(You're killing me killing me right now)
I think it's time you burn me down
I love the things we do, when it's just me and you
I'm burning up, burning up oh
Burning up, yeah
Oh you're killing me right now
I think it's time you burn me down
You're just a ghost of blissful feelings
A cloud of smoke that I keep breathing
An illusion, I'm losing you to the games in my mind
I see your face, an apparition
But now it's changed
Shape shifting
Don't wanna open my eyes
Yeah, oh
Oh you're killing me right now
(The things we do me and you)
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I think she's singing about a very feisty bond with someone that may not be the best for her. There doesn't seem to be closure here, just seams that are left open. It feels like a very vulnerable song, sharp as a tack feelings expressed here.
Could be seeing an ex that you still have those firey feelings for, where the love making is still out of this world, and even if the edges are sharp and will cut you once you're done and part, it's fucking worth it even if you cry your eyes out a million more times afterwards.
She can be singing about a relationship that is good for her too... Like that kind of person that wants to smash what is cute, you know? "I love you so much, I want to kill you" Some people say sh.t like that... I dont know
But I think that as being a part of the album, this song is about an abusive relationship
For me is just someone who is trying to run away from love... Like someone who is really messed up about a past relationship and is afraid to start something that has already started
This person tries to stand still and fight against the feelings for someone, but you can see the need to live that new story (covered in fear)