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,
If I find my way back home, I'll say �what am I doing here?�
We have made our camp, but not settled. Nothing can touch us here.
We took the van one night. The three of us, contraband, and our bikes.
The city was left behind. Our own vacation, our own weekend,
our own fear and loathing except on Cape Cod.
At two in the morning when my body's not attached to my head.
We got on our bikes and rode. My legs like Jello when we rode that night.
Hot livers and cold purse. The day was going everywhere in a hurry,
Instead of nowhere fast. Take a pill. Do substances. Have a drink.
Recreational drug use to drive golf balls.
It's the most comfortable and uncomfortable place.
The discomfort is not in a bad way.
No, not in a bad way. Don't make me go home.
My own chocolate heart.
Look at your scales, your head is on all wrong.
I've got monsters on my brain.
A towel on his head after jumping off the pier,
Rama said I looked like a Kennedy.
And Ryan's taking pictures.
And flattery doesn't make sense in our state.
We had to make our own fear and loathing on Cape Cod.
We have made our camp, but not settled. Nothing can touch us here.
We took the van one night. The three of us, contraband, and our bikes.
The city was left behind. Our own vacation, our own weekend,
our own fear and loathing except on Cape Cod.
At two in the morning when my body's not attached to my head.
We got on our bikes and rode. My legs like Jello when we rode that night.
Hot livers and cold purse. The day was going everywhere in a hurry,
Instead of nowhere fast. Take a pill. Do substances. Have a drink.
Recreational drug use to drive golf balls.
It's the most comfortable and uncomfortable place.
The discomfort is not in a bad way.
No, not in a bad way. Don't make me go home.
My own chocolate heart.
Look at your scales, your head is on all wrong.
I've got monsters on my brain.
A towel on his head after jumping off the pier,
Rama said I looked like a Kennedy.
And Ryan's taking pictures.
And flattery doesn't make sense in our state.
We had to make our own fear and loathing on Cape Cod.
Lyrics submitted by colls720
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Gentle Hour
Yo La Tengo
Yo La Tengo
No Surprises
Radiohead
Radiohead
Same ideas expressed in Fitter, Happier are expressed in this song. We're told to strive for some sort of ideal life, which includes getting a good job, being kind to everyone, finding a partner, getting married, having a couple kids, living in a quiet neighborhood in a nice big house, etc. But in Fitter, Happier the narrator(?) realizes that it's incredibly robotic to live this life. People are being used by those in power "like a pig in a cage on antibiotics"--being pacified with things like new phones and cool gadgets and houses while being sucked dry. On No Surprises, the narrator is realizing how this life is killing him slowly. In the video, his helmet is slowly filling up with water, drowning him. But he's so complacent with it. This is a good summary of the song. This boring, "perfect" life foisted upon us by some higher powers (not spiritual, but political, economic, etc. politicians and businessmen, perhaps) is not the way to live. But there is seemingly no way out but death. He'd rather die peacefully right now than live in this cage. While our lives are often shielded, we're in our own protective bubbles, or protective helmets like the one Thom wears, if we look a little harder we can see all the corruption, lies, manipulation, etc. that is going on in the world, often run by huge yet nearly invisible organizations, corporations, and 'leaders'. It's a very hopeless song because it reflects real life.
Just A Little Lovin'
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
Ed Sheeran
“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.
Plastic Bag
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Plastic Bag” is a song about searching for an escape from personal problems and hoping to find it in the lively atmosphere of a Saturday night party. Ed Sheeran tells the story of his friend and the myriad of troubles he is going through. Unable to find any solutions, this friend seeks a last resort in a party and the vanity that comes with it.
“I overthink and have trouble sleepin’ / All purpose gone and don’t have a reason / And there’s no doctor to stop this bleedin’ / So I left home and jumped in the deep end,” Ed Sheeran sings in verse one. He continues by adding that this person is feeling the weight of having disappointed his father and doesn’t have any friends to rely on in this difficult moment. In the second verse, Ed sings about the role of grief in his friend’s plight and his dwindling faith in prayer. “Saturday night is givin’ me a reason to rely on the strobe lights / The lifeline of a promise in a shot glass, and I’ll take that / If you’re givin’ out love from a plastic bag,” Ed sings on the chorus, as his friend turns to new vices in hopes of feeling better.
Favorite song on album. The melody put to the story of suburban stricken kids on vaction. "Take a pill. Do substances. Have a drink." The pileing up of random intoxicants, just like fear and loathing in Las Vegas, except on Cape Cod. I love it.
this song makes me wanna take a road trip!!! ;)
This is definitely my favorite song on the album. Its awesomeness makes me crazy haha that sounds weird. Okay and my brother totally makes fun of me, saying that its the worst song! DUH! My favorite part musically and lyrically: "Rama said I looked like a Kennedy."
Yea, this songs makes me want to take a road trip with silly Alex and crazy Kameel. I miss you boys!
yea this song gets you in a very good mood. makes you all excited and ready to go out and explore the world with some friends on a big road trip!
I don't know about you guys, but my favorite part is "the three of us, contraband and our bikes" It reminds me of my friends b/c we like to drive around with our contraband. lol
great song + great band = pleased young boy : )
I find it quite ironic that one of the members used to teach.. first grade, I think? Now that's what kind of teacher I would have liked.
cape cod is just like this, too. this has to be my favorite song by them, just because i can relate so well.
to clear stuff up.. rama = owner of big wheel recreation [ piebald's old label. ] and ryans a graphic designer.. he does work for a bunch of labels.
this song makes me sad.