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,
the dreams of dying mothers
i awoke, my insides shuddered
the greycoats of the infantry
victims looking for sympathy
and splash of october swimmers
the cheers of helsinki winners
my barbed bones of futility
leeking marrow of ability
and i don't need anyone
and you don't need anyone
i want to be a happy boy
this means that you must employ my lies
when i want you
and i don't need anyone
i want to be a happy boy
this means that you must employ my lies
and i don't need anyone
and you don't need anyone
i want to be a happy boy
this means that you must employ my lies
when i want you
and i don't need anyone
and i don't need anyone
and i don't need anyone
i awoke, my insides shuddered
the greycoats of the infantry
victims looking for sympathy
and splash of october swimmers
the cheers of helsinki winners
my barbed bones of futility
leeking marrow of ability
and i don't need anyone
and you don't need anyone
i want to be a happy boy
this means that you must employ my lies
when i want you
and i don't need anyone
i want to be a happy boy
this means that you must employ my lies
and i don't need anyone
and you don't need anyone
i want to be a happy boy
this means that you must employ my lies
when i want you
and i don't need anyone
and i don't need anyone
and i don't need anyone
Lyrics submitted by ronativ
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More Featured Meanings
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/
Head > Heels
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Head > Heels” is a track that aims to capture what it feels like to experience romance that exceeds expectations. Ed Sheeran dedicates his album outro to a lover who has blessed him with a unique experience that he seeks to describe through the song’s nuanced lyrics.
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.
Fantastic song. Reminds me so much of someone I know, too afraid to be themselves. That's the way I see this song - the emotions described in the first verse are perceived as weaknesses, so he lives a lie to avoid facing up to life. Anyone got a sensible outlook on it? Haven't a scooby about the significance of the title, though.
i thought it was about leaving a relationship "i dont need anyone". He wants to be happy but finds himself cheating (employ my lies). I dunno. But as for the title, i thought that if someone was swimming in October then they would be all alone - not many people swim at that time of the year? Thats my interpretation anyhow. Why are there no comments on this brilliant song?
how i love this song!!!! this is a sad song....
This is an amazing song from an amazing album, I was convinced JJ72 would be massive.
The haunting song has a number of possible clues in the lyrics and I've often pondered the connections. Bizarrely, I keep coming back to the 1940's and Adolf Keifer in particular.
Keifer was an American Olympic record holding swimmer who was set to shine at the 1940 Olympics in October in Japan, these games never happened and were changed to Helsinki in August which in turn failed to take place because of the war. During the war, Keifer served in the navy as a trainer and was seemingly haunted by the amount of GI's killed on sunken carriers due to being unable to swim. His campaign to teach swimming techniques is recognised as saving many lives. During the war years his own abilities lessoned and he never competed again although he was deemed a national hero. The dreams of dying mothers is an odd one but again he was very vocal in support of mothers and there overwhelming contribution to family life plus many mothers would have nightmares about there serving sons... Adolf went on to invent/create swim wear and equipment and his name his synonymous with the world of swimming.
Off course, I'm probably a mile off, but pleased to get that theory of my chest...
The first song I heard after finding out my friend had killed himself. A very powerful song. RIP Shandy.