| Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street – By the Sea Lyrics | 8 years ago |
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Read on for my full analysis of the lyrics :) 1 Ooh, Mr. Todd! *kiss* 2 I'm so happy! *kiss* 3 I could *kiss* 4 Eat you up, I really could! (Silly to mention it, but depending on the way the actress interprets line 4, she may choose to deliver it in a suggestive way, as can be seen in the film) 5 You know what I'd like to do, Mr. Todd? *kiss* 6 What I dream *kiss* 7 If the business stays as good? 8 Where I'd really like to go, 9 In a year or so? 10 Don't you want to know? 11 Do you really want to know? (10-11: Lovett pines comedically for gloomy Todd's attention) 12 By the sea, Mr. Todd, that's the life I covet, 13 By the sea, Mr. Todd, ooh, I know you'd love it! 14 You and me, Mr. T, we could be alone (14: Lovett looks forward to a time when Todd puts his revenge behind him/ focuses more of his attention on her) 15 In a house wot we'd almost own, (15: Lovett looks forward to the day her financial success allows her to pay for a house) 16 Down by the sea! 17 TODD: Anything you say... (17: Todd isn't outright cruel to Lovett, which is evident even in his clearly unenthusiastic response. His motivation to respond at all despite his disinterest in the topic can have different meanings. He either has some real consideration for her feelings, or humors her only because he feels he must as they are business partners) 18 Wouldn't that be smashing? LOVETT: 19 Think how snug it'll be underneath our flannel 20 When it's just you and me and the English Channel! 21 In our cozy retreat kept all neat and tidy, 22 We'll have chums over ev'ry Friday! 23 By the sea! 24 Don'tcha love the weather? 25 By the sea! 26 We'll grow old together! 27 By the seaside, 28 Hoo, hoo! 29 By the beautiful sea! (19-29: Lovett describes her idealistic hopes for a future with Todd, an oddly picturesque dream for two murderers) 30 It'll be so quiet, 31 That who'll come by it, 32 Except a seagull 33 Hoo, hoo! (Lovett again describes a home where she and Todd will be alone and uninterrupted, beside maybe a seagull) 34 We shouldn't try it, 35 Though, 'til it's legal for two-hoo! (34-35: She might mean living together isn't legal until they marry, but I'm honestly not sure since they already live together on Fleet Street) 36 But a seaside wedding could be devised, 37 Me rumpled bedding legitimized! (36-37: This is one of the most disputed lyrics in the entire musical. It raises the question: Does Todd sleep with Lovett? Or are they almost completely platonic? Brace for a looonngg analysis of this line, lol. It seems impossible to say for certain, but it is very open to interpretation. As far as I'm concerned, Todd at least considers starting a romantic relationship with Lovett in the film. This is made clear in the scene when she tells him it won't be like what he remembers he had with Lucy, "But we could get by." Todd turns to Lovett and they share a look that can be roughly described as deep mutual understanding. In Todd's face, you can see that his expression softens (a rare occurrence in the film) after Lovett makes her statement. Anyway, while Todd is generally cold interacting with Lovett beside that scene, they tend to be somewhat physically touchy throughout the movie, and refer to each other with arguably more non-platonic terms. My dear, darling, my love, my pet, etc. For these reasons it is sensible to interpret their relationship as either platonic or romantic. This being said, the line can also be interpreted one of two main ways. 1- "Rumpled bedding" is simply another of Lovett's dreams that isn't reality. 2- Lovett is referring to her already "rumpled bedding" which she dreams to "legitimize" by getting married. (Marriage being her unrealized dream) Of course, whether he slept with Lovett or not, one thing that can be said with certainty is that he is far more concerned with getting his revenge than building a new legitimate relationship, and the mystery of their relationship adds an instersting aspect to the story) 38 Me eyelids'll flutter, 39 I'll turn into butter, 40 The moment I mutter I do-hoo! (38-40: Lovett describes the future wedding she hopes to have) 41 Down by the sea, 42 Married nice and proper! (42: To me, Lovett's using "nice and proper" gives the impression that she and Todd are already in a loose/unofficial romantic relationship that Lovett would like to make proper through marriage. Still, it really is all about individual interpretation.) 43 By the sea, 44 Bring along your chopper! (44: Chopper refers to Todd's murder razors. Lovett implies here that they could continue doing business as they have been after moving) 45 To the seaside, 46 Hoo, hoo! 47 By the beautiful sea! That's all I have to say for now. Thanks for reading. I'm open to further discussion :) |
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