The song was written in 1979.

Like many Chinese Forehead songs the first version was a crude recording done by bouncing multiple guitar takes between portable cassette players.

There were no vocals on that version; there was ad-hoc guitar line that was then adapted to become the vocal line.

  Pursue distraction
  Keep breaking fingers
  The wall's the mirror to avoid

  Decrease in action
  Watched pots don't boil
  Look at your watch thne ger annoyed

  Seconds away, relief from sorrow
  And so you wait untl tomorrow

  Nervous reaction
  Pull up the covers
  Maybe soon; it's getting late
  
  Strategic dodge
  Grants absolution
  The second hand sweeps clean the slate

  Seconds away, relief from sorrow
  And so you wait until tomorrow

This is a recording done at the first-ever Chinese Forehead gig, at CBGB, in 1979.