Autumn Sweater
Yo La Tengo Lyrics
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I couldn't catch my breath
Is it too late to call this off?
We could slip away
Wouldn't that be better?
Me with nothing to say
And you in your autumn sweater
I tried my best to hide
In a crowded room, it's nearly possible
I wait for you, oh, most patiently
We could slip away
Wouldn't that be better?
Me with nothing to say
And you in your autumn sweater
So I looked for your eyes
And the waves looked like they'd pour right out of them
I'll try hard, I'll try always
But it's a waste of time
It's a waste of time if I can't smile easily
Like in the beginning
In the beginning
We could slip away
Wouldn't that be better?
Me with nothing to say
And you in your autumn sweater
We could slip away
Wouldn't that be better?
Me with nothing to say
And you in your autumn sweater
You in your autumn sweater
You in your autumn sweater
You in your autumn sweater
The opening lines of Yo La Tengo's song Autumn Sweater describe the feeling of anxiety and trepidation that arises when someone unexpected shows up at your doorstep. The singer loses their breath in response to the knock, suggesting that this someone is no ordinary visitor. The following lines suggest that the singer is having second thoughts about something that is about to happen or has already happened. The question "is it too late to call this off?" implies that some kind of plan or agreement has been made, but perhaps the singer is no longer sure they want to go through with it.
The chorus of the song talks about the possibility of "slipping away", implying that the singer and the other person could escape from a situation they find themselves in. The line "me with nothing to say/and you in your autumn sweater" suggests a certain level of comfort between the two individuals, even if there is some uncertainty about what will happen next. The autumn sweater becomes a symbol of this comfort and familiarity, perhaps because it represents a time of year when people start to settle into routines and nestle close to each other for warmth.
The second half of the song describes the singer's attempts to find a connection with the other person. The waves in the other person's eyes are like emotions that threaten to spill out, and the singer resolves to try harder to connect with them. However, they also acknowledge that it may be a "waste of time" if they can't "smile easily" like they did in the beginning. The repetition of the chorus at the end of the song suggests that the singer is still hoping for a way out with this other person, even if they aren't sure exactly what that would entail.
Line by Line Meaning
When I heard the knock on the door
The singer is startled by a surprise visitor who has come to their home.
I couldn't catch my breath
The singer is taken aback and affected strongly by the knock at their door.
Is it too late to call this off?
The singer is questioning whether it's too late to stop whatever situation or plans are currently in motion.
We could slip away
The artist suggests escaping or running away from their current situation.
Wouldn't that be better?
The artist poses a rhetorical question, implying that escaping would indeed be a better option.
Me with nothing to say
The singer feels unable to contribute or communicate effectively in whatever situation they are in.
And you in your autumn sweater
The singer describes the other person in the situation wearing a cozy, warm sweater that gives a feeling of comfort and ease.
I tried my best to hide
The artist attempted to conceal or disguise themselves in a crowded space.
In a crowded room, it's nearly possible
The artist acknowledges the difficulty in remaining hidden in a busy or packed environment.
I wait for you, oh, most patiently
The artist is waiting for the other person to arrive or join them, but does so with great patience.
So I looked for your eyes
The singer searched for eye contact with the other person, possibly for reassurance or to connect on a deeper level.
And the waves looked like they'd pour right out of them
The other person's eyes were intense, possibly conveying strong emotions or feelings.
I'll try hard, I'll try always
The singer makes a pledge to continue trying their best in the given situation.
But it's a waste of time
The singer recognizes that their efforts may not lead to any meaningful outcome or change in their situation.
It's a waste of time if I can't smile easily
The singer believes that if they cannot find joy or ease in their situation, they are wasting their time and energy on it.
Like in the beginning
The artist yearns for the simplicity and happiness that existed when their situation first began or when they first met the other person.
You in your autumn sweater
The artist repeats the phrase from earlier to emphasize the comfort and warmth the other person brings to them in the given situation.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Georgia Mia Hubley, Ira David Kaplan, James George McNew
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@OkOk-rv8nr
When I heard the knock on the door
I couldn't catch my breath
Is it too late to call this off
We could slip away
Wouldn't that be better
Me with nothing to say
And you in your autumn sweater
I tried my best to hide in a crowded room
It's nearly possible
I wait for you, oh, most patiently
We could slip away
Wouldn't that be better
Me with nothing to say
And you in your autumn sweater
So I looked for your eyes
And the waves looked like
They'd pour right out of them
I'll try hard, I'll try always
But it's a waste of time
It's a waste of time if I can't smile easily
Like in the beginning
In the beginning
We could slip away
Wouldn't that be better
Me with nothing to say
And you in your autumn sweater
We could slip away
Wouldn't that be better
Me with nothing to say
And you in your autumn sweater
You in your autumn sweater
You in your autumn sweater
You in your autumn sweater
@danyascona
⭐⭐⭐
When I heard the knock on the door
I couldn't catch my breath
Is it too late to call this off
We could slip away
Wouldn't that be better
Me with nothing to say
And you in your autumn sweater
I tried my best to hide in a crowded room
It's nearly possible
I wait for you, oh, most patiently
We could slip away
Wouldn't that be better
Me with nothing to say
And you in your autumn sweater
So I looked for your eyes
And the waves looked like
They'd pour right out of them
I'll try hard, I'll try always
But it's a waste of time
It's a waste of time if I can't smile easily
Like in the beginning
In the beginning
We could slip away
Wouldn't that be better
Me with nothing to say
And you in your autumn sweater
We could slip away
Wouldn't that be better
Me with nothing to say
And you in your autumn sweater
You in your autumn sweater
You in your autumn sweater
You in your autumn sweater
⭐⭐⭐
@guydreamr
Pretty much one of the defining sounds of the 90s.
@beeofstagnancy7207
Every time I listen to this I find something new to appreciate
@mrrudell
First day of fall vibes 🌿🍃🌱🍂🍁
@killsinthenight
After wrapping up the Nothing recording session. Yo La Tengo booked a dinner at the tiny Soho restaurant I worked at to celebrate. At the time, I had been taking reservations on the phone during the day. Georgia Hubley called and made a reservation for dinner. I knew what was going on. I think I sent them dessert 🙏🙏🙏
@curly_wyn
The greatest indie rock song without a guitar! Fuck bless Yo La Tengo! ❤️💛💚
@thesaferoom6968
"Fuck bless" im using that for the rest of my life and wen my great grand children ask "where did "fuck bless" come from???
and il tell them FUCK BLESSING CURLY_WYN
@gamerguy425
I heard this band open up for Japanese Breakfast and Michelle said they looked up to them and she felt like an asshole playing after them lol. She secretly played the keyboards for them and they both played together afterwards, like I have never seen a headliner give so much respect for the opener!
@Caliphane
I'm so jelly. Two amazing acts for sure
@timmi59
That’s amazing.
@85jongo
Thanks for sharing this. Awesome insight and experience for Michelle. Love both bands so much.