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,
When you were young
Did you ever love somebody
Like I love,
I love you now
'Cause now that you're older
I see you don't mind
Letting go of my hand in a crowd
You don't want to hold tight.
And when we kiss goodnight
There's a million hearts
Beating in my room
I wish they would go away.
Ah say it again
There's a million hearts
That break too soon
Everytime you go away.
When you were young
Did you ever fall down,
Graze your knee
And want to run to someone
'Cause now that you're older
I've been falling down,
I want to run to someone
But there's nobody around.
I can hear the sound
There's a million hearths
Beating in my room
I wish they would go away,
Ah say it again
There's a million hearts
That break too soon
Every time you go away.
Every time you go away
Think about the things I say
Think about it twice as long
Tell me what's going wrong.
Did you ever love somebody
Like I love,
I love you now
'Cause now that you're older
I see you don't mind
Letting go of my hand in a crowd
You don't want to hold tight.
And when we kiss goodnight
There's a million hearts
Beating in my room
I wish they would go away.
Ah say it again
There's a million hearts
That break too soon
Everytime you go away.
When you were young
Did you ever fall down,
Graze your knee
And want to run to someone
'Cause now that you're older
I've been falling down,
I want to run to someone
But there's nobody around.
I can hear the sound
There's a million hearths
Beating in my room
I wish they would go away,
Ah say it again
There's a million hearts
That break too soon
Every time you go away.
Every time you go away
Think about the things I say
Think about it twice as long
Tell me what's going wrong.
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Gentle Hour
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When We Were Young
Blink-182
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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/
Blue
Ed Sheeran
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“Blue” is a song about a love that is persisting in the discomfort of the person experiencing the emotion. Ed Sheeran reflects on love lost, and although he wishes his former partner find happiness, he cannot but admit his feelings are still very much there. He expresses the realization that he might never find another on this stringed instrumental by Aaron Dessner.
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.
Great song