In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
Is there a prince in this fable
For a small town girl like me?
The good ones are gone or not able
And Matt Damon's not meant for me
Damon's not meant for me
I got to say
California
Is a place that I respect
Come on LA, take advantage
Give me a night that I won't forget
I went to look
From the Sky Bar to the Standard, nothing took
These boys don't care
Got a handful with their projects and with their looks
Where are all the men in this town?
And what's a girl supposed to do?
Did they all run off when they knew
That I was coming 'round, coming 'round?
Where are all the men in this town?
And what's a girl supposed to do?
Did they all run off when they knew
That I was coming 'round, coming 'round?
Fresh
I'm so fresh, I'm so clean
Got the lips and got the skin
Got the skin got that thing
I'm so fresh and I'm so
Is there a prince in this fable
For a small town girl like me?
The good ones are gone or not able
And Matt Damon's not meant for me
I never dreamed that I'd come here to become the next Jolie
But I sure know there's someone
Around somewhere who's meant to be
Where are all the men in this town?
And what's a girl supposed to do?
Did they all run off when they knew
That I was coming round, coming round?
Where are all the men in this town?
And what's a girl supposed to do?
Did they all run off when they knew
That I was coming 'round, coming 'round?
Fresh
I'm so fresh, I'm so clean
Got the lips and got the skin
Got the skin got that thing
I'm so fresh and I'm so
Fresh
I'm so fresh, I'm so clean
Got the lips and got the skin
Got the skin got that thing
I'm so fresh and I'm so
So fly,
It's a suicide, waiting, others say
It's a suicide, waiting, yo no se
It's a suicide, waiting, another day
It's a suicide, waiting
So decide, it's a suicide waiting, all this time
It's a suicide, waiting, donde estas?
It's a suicide, waiting, so I decided
It's a suicide, waiting
For a small town girl like me?
The good ones are gone or not able
And Matt Damon's not meant for me
Damon's not meant for me
I got to say
California
Is a place that I respect
Come on LA, take advantage
Give me a night that I won't forget
I went to look
From the Sky Bar to the Standard, nothing took
These boys don't care
Got a handful with their projects and with their looks
Where are all the men in this town?
And what's a girl supposed to do?
Did they all run off when they knew
That I was coming 'round, coming 'round?
Where are all the men in this town?
And what's a girl supposed to do?
Did they all run off when they knew
That I was coming 'round, coming 'round?
Fresh
I'm so fresh, I'm so clean
Got the lips and got the skin
Got the skin got that thing
I'm so fresh and I'm so
Is there a prince in this fable
For a small town girl like me?
The good ones are gone or not able
And Matt Damon's not meant for me
I never dreamed that I'd come here to become the next Jolie
But I sure know there's someone
Around somewhere who's meant to be
Where are all the men in this town?
And what's a girl supposed to do?
Did they all run off when they knew
That I was coming round, coming round?
Where are all the men in this town?
And what's a girl supposed to do?
Did they all run off when they knew
That I was coming 'round, coming 'round?
Fresh
I'm so fresh, I'm so clean
Got the lips and got the skin
Got the skin got that thing
I'm so fresh and I'm so
Fresh
I'm so fresh, I'm so clean
Got the lips and got the skin
Got the skin got that thing
I'm so fresh and I'm so
So fly,
It's a suicide, waiting, others say
It's a suicide, waiting, yo no se
It's a suicide, waiting, another day
It's a suicide, waiting
So decide, it's a suicide waiting, all this time
It's a suicide, waiting, donde estas?
It's a suicide, waiting, so I decided
It's a suicide, waiting
Lyrics submitted by aristuma21
Men In This Town Lyrics as written by John Hill Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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"Fast car" is kind of a continuation of Bruce Springsteen's "Born to Run." It has all the clawing your way to a better life, but in this case the protagonist never makes it with her love; in fact she is dragged back down by him.
There is still an amazing amount of hope and will in the lyrics; and the lyrics themselve rank and easy five. If only music was stronger it would be one of those great radio songs that you hear once a week 20 years after it was released. The imagery is almost tear-jerking ("City lights lay out before us", "Speeds so fast felt like I was drunk"), and the idea of starting from nothing and just driving and working and denigrating yourself for a chance at being just above poverty, then losing in the end is just painful and inspiring at the same time.
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@[Diderik:33655] "Your a holiday!" Was a popular term used in the 50s/60s to compliment someone on their all around. For example, not only are they beautiful, but they are fun and kind too ... just an all around "holiday".
I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
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I think this song is about a girl moving to LA trying to make a name for herself. Like a lot of aspiring talented people do; they have to go to major cities such as New York and Los Angeles to get recognized by the big dogs. The phrase "Where are all the men in this town" may refer to the lifestyle in these cities, because it usually seems like it's strictly business with hardly any emotional outlets. There's no "men" just powerful beings in suits that may grant you a chance at fame.
But this girl seems to be somewhat innocent; an outcast of this lifestyle. Listen to the song's melody. It seems pretty dark compared to Shakira's other singles. I think this changes things up a bit. It seems like the girl may think she won't get the job, but she's qualified (in Hollywood's standards) because of her "fresh clean looks" and she's go the "skin" and "thing" most Hollywood contractors are looking for.
Alas the continuous saying of "suicide" at the end may be that whirlwind of an idea in the back of someone's mind that is warning us "Oh this choice is a bad one, think it over a second time before you make your move." Hollywood may seem like glitz and glamor, but in the end it usually ends in that star's suicide. Her innocence is killed off in the end, or that she will lose her physical life in the industry.
Well that's my interpretation of this song! :D