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,
Don't be a toy on the back of a magazine, don't
Don't be a toy, on the back of a magazine
There's a caricature no one reads
I know you've got a lot of special things to do with me I'm through
I know, it's alright, sing along
Practice everything you preach you nun
I got none today, expecting none tomorrow
And tomorrow after that release the strings of Nashville,
And watch the songs expire
And silence is danger, but its not required here, so why you scared?
I know, you got a lot of special things to do,
With me I'm through, I know, its alright
Sing a song, get you through the night
Don't be a toy, on the back of a magazine
There's a caricature no one reads
I know you've got a lot of special things to do with me I'm through
I know, it's alright, sing along
Practice everything you preach you nun
I got none today, expecting none tomorrow
And tomorrow after that release the strings of Nashville,
And watch the songs expire
And silence is danger, but its not required here, so why you scared?
I know, you got a lot of special things to do,
With me I'm through, I know, its alright
Sing a song, get you through the night
Lyrics submitted by Emo-tional, edited by Helicon
Strings Of Nashville Lyrics as written by Stephen Malkmus
Lyrics © Hipgnosis Songs Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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I'm not too sure on what this song means. It's extremely relaxing and I like it a lot. I think it's just like a lullabye telling someone that they understand that things are hard and scary, but it's okay and you'll get through it as long as you follow what you say and make sure you stand out so that you don't just become a toy on the back of a magazine that no one will pay any attention to.
im pretty sure it's "i know you've got alot of special things to do, but me i'm through"
It's pretty obvious that this song is about the Major Labels, and how Stephen Malkmus hates them.
I always thought it was "but it's not that quiet here, so why're you scared"
i love how it's muffled. i love the sound of the sea. a lovely picked guitar, and 'watch the songs expire' is a four word poem. fucking brilliant. with 'gold soundz', this is one of the greatest a/b's ever. a song to fall asleep to with a faraway smile on your face.
another song sung by a (sym)pathetic character. telling someone to stop building yaself up socially and lying and conforming in the meantime.
the lyrics seem pretty off, but I've gotta go.
so I think it's
"put back the magazines" "it's not that quiet here" (could go either way)
yep