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,
Please don't get me wrong
See I forgive you with a song
We'll call the Likely Lads
But if it's left to you
I know exactly what you'd do
With all the dreams we had
'Cause blood runs thicker, oh
We're thick as thieves, you know
If it's important to you
It's important to me
I tried to make you see
But you don't wanna know
But you don't want to know
If you pipe all summer long
Then get forgiven in a song
Well, that's a touch, my lad
They sold them rights to all my wrongs
And when they needed the new songs
It's "welcome back", how sad
'Cause blood runs thicker, oh
We're thick as thieves, you know
If that's important to you
It's important to me
I tried to make you see
But you don't wanna know
You don't want to know
Oh, what became of the Likely Lads?
What became of the dreams we had?
Oh, what became of forever, though?
Oh, what became of forever, though?
But, we'll never know
Please don't get me wrong
See I forgive you in a song
We call the Likely Lads
We all bought the ones
We taught 'em all we wrote the songs
That's filled with dreams we have
But blood runs thicker, oh
We're thick as thieves, you know
If that's important to you
It's important to me
I tried to make you see
But you don't wanna know
But you don't want to know
Oh, what became of the Likely Lads?
What became of the dreams we had?
Oh, what became of forever, though?
Oh, what became of forever, though?
We'll never know
But blood runs thicker, oh
We're thick as thieves, you know
If that's important to you
Yes, it's important to me
I tried to make you see
But you don't wanna know
But you don't want to know
Oh, what became of the Likely Lads?
What became of the dreams we had?
Oh, what became of forever, though?
Oh, what became of forever, though?
We'll never know
The ideal girl
In London from France
Came over, then left me
She left me entranced
Now I have to get by
Once again on my own
Nothing but memories
So I remember your eyes
In their dark shade of brown
While these blue eyes of mine
They stay closed
I kissed you goodbye on the M-109
I choked as I watched the bus go, oh-oh
Choking and smoking to your angelic soul
Choking and smoking myself into a hole
Where the only way out is to sleep and to dream
And to cry out your name
See I forgive you with a song
We'll call the Likely Lads
But if it's left to you
I know exactly what you'd do
With all the dreams we had
'Cause blood runs thicker, oh
We're thick as thieves, you know
If it's important to you
It's important to me
I tried to make you see
But you don't wanna know
But you don't want to know
If you pipe all summer long
Then get forgiven in a song
Well, that's a touch, my lad
They sold them rights to all my wrongs
And when they needed the new songs
It's "welcome back", how sad
'Cause blood runs thicker, oh
We're thick as thieves, you know
If that's important to you
It's important to me
I tried to make you see
But you don't wanna know
You don't want to know
Oh, what became of the Likely Lads?
What became of the dreams we had?
Oh, what became of forever, though?
Oh, what became of forever, though?
But, we'll never know
Please don't get me wrong
See I forgive you in a song
We call the Likely Lads
We all bought the ones
We taught 'em all we wrote the songs
That's filled with dreams we have
But blood runs thicker, oh
We're thick as thieves, you know
If that's important to you
It's important to me
I tried to make you see
But you don't wanna know
But you don't want to know
Oh, what became of the Likely Lads?
What became of the dreams we had?
Oh, what became of forever, though?
Oh, what became of forever, though?
We'll never know
But blood runs thicker, oh
We're thick as thieves, you know
If that's important to you
Yes, it's important to me
I tried to make you see
But you don't wanna know
But you don't want to know
Oh, what became of the Likely Lads?
What became of the dreams we had?
Oh, what became of forever, though?
Oh, what became of forever, though?
We'll never know
The ideal girl
In London from France
Came over, then left me
She left me entranced
Now I have to get by
Once again on my own
Nothing but memories
So I remember your eyes
In their dark shade of brown
While these blue eyes of mine
They stay closed
I kissed you goodbye on the M-109
I choked as I watched the bus go, oh-oh
Choking and smoking to your angelic soul
Choking and smoking myself into a hole
Where the only way out is to sleep and to dream
And to cry out your name
Lyrics submitted by on_a_plain_11
What Became Of The Likely Lads Lyrics as written by Peter Doherty Carl Barat
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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No Surprises
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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/
Magical
Ed Sheeran
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How would you describe the feeling of being in love? For Ed Sheeran, the word is “Magical.” in HIS three-minute album opener, he makes an attempt to capture the beauty and delicacy of true love with words. He describes the magic of it all over a bright Pop song produced by Aaron Dessner.
Blue
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Blue” is a song about a love that is persisting in the discomfort of the person experiencing the emotion. Ed Sheeran reflects on love lost, and although he wishes his former partner find happiness, he cannot but admit his feelings are still very much there. He expresses the realization that he might never find another on this stringed instrumental by Aaron Dessner.
"We're as thick as thieves," - That line refers to the Jam song "Thick as thieves", a song that describes two people slide away from eachother in a similar way to Pete and Carl. From being best mates to not knowing eachother at all.
This libertine-song gives me split-feelings - a lot of energi and joy musicaly, and at the same time from the lyrics; sadness and darkness. Stop taking drugs Pete, GOSH!
When Pete sings 'It's important to me' it makes me very sad and a lump in my throat appears. Basically this song is Carl shaking Pete into thinking they are gonna blow all what they could have had...which is a lot and they could have done it together but now it looks like it's all gonna be thrown away in the name of drugs. There is also a part in the song which is about when the spilt up before and they forgave each other after Pete robbed Carl and Carl made him go to prison.
It's gotton to the point were even listening to the most upbeat Libetine songs makes me depressed.
I love them endlessly, but all of the angst, drugs and breakups really wear you down after awhile. (Doesn't keep them from always being on my playlist, just means I tend to be weepy more often.)
A great libs song, but nothing beats "Anything But Love" and "You're My Waterloo". Those two kill me in the best possible way.
when i listen to songs like what became of the likely lads or cant stand me now, i ask myself how pete and carl were able to record that in a studio together... i cant say how damn dumb this whole story is. and i love this song so much.
"blood runs thicker" than water, to complete the phrase, really clever play on words suggesting they're like brothers..
thick as thieves is just a common phrase for good friends "oh them two they're thick as thieves"
this song kicks ass and this band is fucking amazing.
how good are this band????????? a lot is the answer
Went to their concert last night. AMAZING. I just have to say that every time I hear this song, I notice something new... a chord here, there, that I've never noticed before. This song makes me sad to see what could and did happen to the Likely Lad... Pete, get well!
This song is like a lot of their new ones - quite upbeat and jolly, but really sad at the same time. Every time I hear it I think about the possible fate of the band.
the title refers to a 1960s sitcom. Involving two friends who, ones sensible the others the oposite, and just them being young going out drinking trying to get off with girls etc. Marvel at the parallel.