In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
Sometimes the bad guys go right on top
Sometimes the good guys lose
We try not to lose our hearts, not to lose our minds
Sometimes the bad days may take their grip
Sometimes the good days fade
But the rain today hurts the head to drink
But nothing ever stays the same
Nothing's explained
The harder the we go
The longer we climb
'Cause this isn't the road we know
So say good night to me
Lose no more time
No time
'Cause it's been fun
I heard you called me
From far away, far like the king Tut
Having the voice to make it right
So I just cry
I fell to stay good
So been away
Before I could even see
Tried once more
Lost my ??? and we're gone
But nothing ever stays the same
Nothing's explained
The longer it takes
The looser the times
'Cause this isn't the road we know
So say good night to me
Lose no more time
No time
'Cause this ain't the road
But nothing ever stays the same
Nothing's explained
The stronger ???
The faster ???
'Cause this isn't the road we know
So say good night to me
Lose no more time
No time
'Cause this ain't the road
'Cause this ain't the road
'Cause this ain't the road
'Cause this ain't the road
'Cause this ain't the road
'Cause this ain't the road
'Cause this ain't the road
'Cause this ain't the road
'Cause this ain't the road
Sometimes the good guys lose
We try not to lose our hearts, not to lose our minds
Sometimes the bad days may take their grip
Sometimes the good days fade
But the rain today hurts the head to drink
But nothing ever stays the same
Nothing's explained
The harder the we go
The longer we climb
'Cause this isn't the road we know
So say good night to me
Lose no more time
No time
'Cause it's been fun
I heard you called me
From far away, far like the king Tut
Having the voice to make it right
So I just cry
I fell to stay good
So been away
Before I could even see
Tried once more
Lost my ??? and we're gone
But nothing ever stays the same
Nothing's explained
The longer it takes
The looser the times
'Cause this isn't the road we know
So say good night to me
Lose no more time
No time
'Cause this ain't the road
But nothing ever stays the same
Nothing's explained
The stronger ???
The faster ???
'Cause this isn't the road we know
So say good night to me
Lose no more time
No time
'Cause this ain't the road
'Cause this ain't the road
'Cause this ain't the road
'Cause this ain't the road
'Cause this ain't the road
'Cause this ain't the road
'Cause this ain't the road
'Cause this ain't the road
'Cause this ain't the road
Lyrics submitted by cooperw, edited by smallwonderrobot, aelurus, realitysoldier, n_a_r_i_n, PairOFish, wakalix
Ohm Lyrics as written by Ira David Kaplan Georgia Mia Hubley
Lyrics © BEGGARS MUSIC, LTD.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
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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,
Just A Little Lovin'
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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/
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Ed Sheeran sings about missing his former partner and learning important life lessons in the process on “Punchline.” This track tells a story of battling to get rid of emotions for a former lover, whom he now realized might not have loved him the same way. He’s now caught between accepting that fact and learning life lessons from it and going back to beg her for another chance.
Ohm is a unit of electrical resistance. It's a pretty clever song title!
And also a sound originating from Hinduism and key to many forms of meditation. The three phonemes it consists of ("a" "u" "m") symbolize the beginning, duration, and dissolution of the universe. Seriously great layering of meanings in this title.
Om, in the Hindu/Buddhist context, makes me think of Tomorrow Never Knows (which is based on the Tibetan Book of the Dead).The similar lyrical themes, the droning guitars, and especially that persistent drum beat make me think that YLT were paying tribute to the Beatles here. Great song.
@elwyn5150 Which is why the lyric is "resisting the flow"
The lyrics are pretty direct and the meaning pretty easy to discern from them: accepting reality, accepting death, accepting change and accepting that not all can be perfect/known/forever. Accepting life as moments and not trying to hold on, against the flow of life, to any particular good or bad moment.
spot on
For me this song is about the music industry - possibly, I'm very wrong but hear me out.
Sometimes the bad guys come out on top Sometimes the good guys lose We try not to lose our hearts, not to lose our minds
For me, this suggests musicians and rappers who are slight idiots get famous and get all the recognition whereas respectful artists (such as yo la tengo) are still deemed alternative and not famous enough to be mainstream, hence the fact YLT are known as the quintessential critics band. Even though they know this, they try not to lose their hearts and soldier on.
Sometimes the bad days maintain their grip Sometimes the good days fade Hurts the brain to think, hurts the hand to drink
This to me suggests if they smaller bands get a bad review or get criticised, this can have more of an impact and stay in their minds, rather than positive comments and their potential. Because of this, it may cause these artists to overthink (hurts the brain to think) or become disrupted and turn to drink and drugs (hurts the hand to drink)
But nothing ever stays the same Nothing's explained The higher we go, the longer we fly Cause this is it for all we know So say good night to me And lose no more time, no time Resisting the flow
I think this refers back to YLT'S status as 'critical darlings'. They refer to all they knowing as having this status - the resisting the flow part suggests to me their resistance to becoming overblown and just another good band who became shit.
This may be completely pretentious and me just overthinking, but it feels 'right' to me.
I always thought it was
Because this is it for all we know
Instead of Because this isn't the road we know
@RJMilitante The lyrics above are simply wrong. It is "this is it for all we know." And the repeating verse is "lose no more time, resisting the flow." I wish they'd correct it.