yo la tengo “ohm”
from: fade 2013
““Ohm”
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
Sometimes the bad days maintain their grip
Sometimes the good days fade
But the rain today hurts the head to dream
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 goodnight to me
And lose no more time, no time
Resisting the flow
I heard you calling from far away
I thought I heard you cry
Having the voice to make it right
So I just cry
I felt her slipping, slipping away
Before I could even see
Tried once more, lost my grip, you were gone
But nothing ever stays the same
Nothing’s explained
The longer it takes, the looser the ties
’Cause this is it for all we know
So say goodnight to me
And lose no more time, no time
Resisting the flow
Doo doo doo doo doo doo
Doo doo doo dood doo
Doo doo doo doo doo doo doo doo doo
But nothing ever stays the same
Nothing’s explained
The stronger the wind, the faster we’ll fly
’Cause this is it for all we know
So say goodnight to me
And lose no more time
No time
Resisting the flow
Resisting the flow
Resisting the flow
Resisting the flow
Resisting the flow
Resisting the flow
Resisting the flow
Resisting the flow
Resisting the flow
Resisting the flow
Resisting the flow
Resisting the flow
Resisting the flow
Resisting the flow
Resisting the flow
Resisting the flow
Resisting the flow
Resisting the flow
Resisting the flow
Resisting the flow
Resisting the flow
Resisting the flow”
with everything else that is a knockout about this song, i was totally mesmerized by the musical equation that drives the video of “ohm.” so much so that i transcribed it by stopping and starting the video a bunch. then, contacted yo la tengo about making a t-shirt out of it. they were disinterested at best. knowing of your wide ranging thirst for inquiry i have included it as follows:
the whole equation, and then enlarged panels so you might read them better. enlarge screen with fingers for ipaders. i encourage you to go a little nutty with this. the math spoof and musical references are a game changer! and as the great thunderclap newman reminds us,
“life’s just a game, you fly a paper plane. there is no end.”
Advance to the 9 minute mark in the show for an acoustic version of “OHM.”
