The way I see it, he said, you just can't win it
Everybody's in it for their own gain
You can't please 'em all
There's always somebody calling you down

I do my best
And I do good business
There's a lot of people asking for my time
They're trying to get ahead
They're trying to be a good friend of mine

I was a free man in Paris
I felt unfettered and alive
There was nobody calling me up for favors
And no one's future to decide
You know I'd go back there tomorrow
But for the work I've taken on
Stoking the star-maker machinery
Behind the popular song

I deal in dreamers
And telephone screamers
Lately I wonder what I do it for
If I had my way
I'd just walk through those doors
And wander down the Champs-Élysées
Going café to cabaret
Thinking how I'll feel when I find
That very good friend of mine

I was a free man in Paris
I felt unfettered and alive
Nobody was calling me up for favors
No one's future to decide
You know I'd go back there tomorrow
But for the work I've taken on
Stoking the star-maker machinery
Behind the popular song


Lyrics submitted by ruben

Free Man in Paris Lyrics as written by Joni Mitchell

Lyrics © Reservoir Media Management, Inc.

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Free Man In Paris song meanings
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  • +1
    General Comment

    I love this song! It's so catchy and free, whenever i play it, it puts me in a good mood. I know nothing about David Geffen but i always considered this song to be about a record producer, everyone sucking up to him and calling him up for favours, he literally holds their future in his hands. I was certain this was what the song was about when i heard "stoking the star maker machinery behind the popular song" the song is about how he just wants to get away from it all and feel free and concentrate on his own life and love life, but he's too commited to his record label. Yet another hit by Joni, catchy and meaningful!

    Wunderkind92on July 06, 2007   Link

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