Paris
Yearning for Paris: An Ode to Unattainable Love
Lyrics
The train pulled into Paris like a rocket to the moon
The arrival in Paris is described with great speed and excitement, likened to a rocket journey to the moon.
The station?s like a circus, every face is a cartoon
The train station is depicted as a chaotic place, and each person's face appears exaggerated like in a cartoon.
Everybody?s stoned on pride and drunk on cheap champagne
The people in Paris are portrayed as intoxicated with pride and cheap champagne.
Tonight this joie de vivre sure don?t live up to it's name
The atmosphere does not live up to the joyful spirit implied by "joie de vivre" (joy of living).
And now all that I can say
An expression of limitation or disappointment in the current situation.
Is I?d give this world to you, every rock and every stone
The speaker expresses a willingness to give everything, including significant landmarks, for someone special.
Every masterpiece in Rome and if you asked me to
The offer extends to stealing and destroying the Mona Lisa, a famous artwork, for the person's sake.
I?d steal the Mona Lisa, tear it up in little pieces
Continuation of the extreme gestures, suggesting a deep and sacrificial love.
And lay them at your feet for all the world to see
Imagery of laying the torn pieces of the Mona Lisa at the person's feet for the world to see.
But tonight I can?t give you Paris
Despite the willingness to give everything, the speaker cannot provide the idealized version of Paris.
Aristocrats are everywhere and the air is thick as thieves
Reference to aristocrats and a sense of danger or competition in the air.
She?d like nothing better than to steal the breath from me
The speaker feels threatened by someone who desires to take their breath away metaphorically.
The tower?s lights ain't shinin? as it hangs it's head in shame
The Eiffel Tower is described as hanging its head in shame, possibly due to a negative event involving Americans.
At the sight of American blood on the streets of St. Germain
Mention of American blood on the streets of St. Germain, contributing to the shame.
Washin' up into the seine
The consequences of the event are symbolized by blood washing into the Seine River.
And I?d give this world to you, every rock and every stone
Reiteration of the speaker's willingness to give everything, despite the grim atmosphere.
Every masterpiece in Rome and if you asked me to
Continuation of the grand gestures, including offering masterpieces from Rome.
I?d steal the Mona Lisa, tear it up in little pieces
Further commitment to extreme acts, tearing up the Mona Lisa for the person.
And lay them at your feet for all the world to see
Repeating the symbolic act of laying torn pieces at the person's feet for the world to see.
But tonight I can?t give you Paris
Restatement that the speaker cannot provide the idealized version of Paris on this night.
And I?d give this world to you, I?d steal the crown and kingdom
The speaker extends the offer to stealing the crown and kingdom, emphasizing the depth of their devotion.
From the queen of England and if you asked me to
The extreme gestures include taking control of England for the person.
I?d take this city in my hands, break it down in grains of sand
The speaker envisions breaking down the entire city of Paris into grains of sand for the person.
And lay them at your feet for all the world to see
Repeating the symbolic act of laying the broken city at the person's feet for the world to see.
But tonight I can?t give you Paris
Reiteration that, despite the willingness to give everything, Paris cannot be provided on this night.
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