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,
It ain't no use to sit and wonder why, babe
If you don't know by now
No it ain't no use to sit and wonder why, babe
It'll never do somehow
When your rooster crows at the break of dawn
Look out your window and I'll be gone
You're the reason I'm traveling on
But don't think twice, it's all right
It ain't no use in turning on your light, babe
The light I never knowed
Oh, it ain't no use in turning on your light, babe
I'm on the dark side of the road
Still I wish there was somethin' you would do or say
To try and make me change my mind and stay
We never did too much talking anyway
Don't think twice, it's all right
It ain't no use in calling out my name, boy
Like you've never done before
No it ain't no use in calling out my name, boy
Cause I can't hear you anymore
Oh, I'm a-thinking and a-wonderin' walking down the road
Said I once loved a man, a child, I'm told
I give him my heart but he wanted my soul
Don't think twice, it's all right
So long honey, babe
Where I'm bound, I can't tell
Goodbye's too good a word, babe
So I'll just say, "Fare thee well"
I ain't saying you treated me unkind
You could've done better but I don't mind
You just kinda wasted my precious time
But don't think twice, it's all right
Don't think twice, it's all right
If you don't know by now
No it ain't no use to sit and wonder why, babe
It'll never do somehow
When your rooster crows at the break of dawn
Look out your window and I'll be gone
You're the reason I'm traveling on
But don't think twice, it's all right
It ain't no use in turning on your light, babe
The light I never knowed
Oh, it ain't no use in turning on your light, babe
I'm on the dark side of the road
Still I wish there was somethin' you would do or say
To try and make me change my mind and stay
We never did too much talking anyway
Don't think twice, it's all right
It ain't no use in calling out my name, boy
Like you've never done before
No it ain't no use in calling out my name, boy
Cause I can't hear you anymore
Oh, I'm a-thinking and a-wonderin' walking down the road
Said I once loved a man, a child, I'm told
I give him my heart but he wanted my soul
Don't think twice, it's all right
So long honey, babe
Where I'm bound, I can't tell
Goodbye's too good a word, babe
So I'll just say, "Fare thee well"
I ain't saying you treated me unkind
You could've done better but I don't mind
You just kinda wasted my precious time
But don't think twice, it's all right
Don't think twice, it's all right
Lyrics submitted by Jack, edited by goodnews, DubiousDoobies, lyricdude22
Don't Think Twice, It's All Right Lyrics as written by Bob Dylan
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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A few days ago I listened to this song about 9000 times in a row and realized that I've been in a situation almost exactly like this. He loves her so much, but the relationship just isn't working out. She won't commit. She won't call out his name, turn on her light, et cetera. He really really loves her, but she wasted his time, she wouldn't take what he could give but only wanted what he couldn't give. He wants to stay, and he wants her to be able to commit so that he can, but she won't. He says the really hard stuff in here. Even though he loves her, he's willing to tell her that she really screwed up a good thing. - I absolutely love this song. So much.
I too am in the same situation. The guy initiated that everything was going to be great and that he wanted to be with me, but when it finally came down to it, he couldn’t commit. I don’t hate him, but he did waste a good year of my life :/ And so I agree with everything you said about this song- it’s great & so true!
Most guys, and most women too, have been in this situation. And most of us have probably screwed up what might have been a good thing. <br /> So, it is like most good songs, by us, and to us. <br /> That is what makes a great lyric: applicability.
@goodmorningmisterben What, 9000? There's no way that can be right.
@goodmorningmisterben He says she has screwed up, she may feel the opposite , it just was not happening for her.