It's quiet now and what it brings is everything
Comes calling back a brilliant night
I'm still awake
I looked ahead
I'm sure I saw you there
You don't need me to tell you now
That nothing can compare

You might've laughed if I told you
You might have hidden your frown
You might've succeeded in changing me
I might've been turned around
It's easier to leave than to be left behind
Leaving was never my proud
Leaving New York never easy
I saw the light fading out

Now life is sweet and what it brings
I tried to take
The loneliness it wears me out
It lies in wait
And on a loss still in my eyes
Shatter a necklace across your thigh
I might've lived my life in a dream
But I swear this is real
Memory fuses, and shatters like glass
Mercurial future forget the past
But it's you, it's what I feel

You might've laughed if I told you
(It's pulling me apart)
You might have hidden your frown (change)
You might've succeeded in changing me
(It's pulling me apart)
I might've been turned around (change)
It's easier to leave than to be left behind
(It's pulling me apart)
Leaving was never my proud (change)
Leaving New York never easy
(It's pulling me apart)
I saw the light fading out

You find it in your heart, it's pulling me apart
You find it in your heart (change)

I told you forever, I love you it's forever
I told you if I love you, I love you forever
I told you forever, I love you it's forever
I told you if I love you, I love you forever
You never

You might've laughed if I told you
(It's pulling me apart)
You might have hidden your frown (change)
You might've succeeded in changing me
(It's pulling me apart)
I might've been turned around (change)
It's easier to leave than to be left behind
(It's pulling me apart)
Leaving was never my proud (change)
Leaving New York never easy
(It's pulling me apart)
I saw the light fading out (change)

Leaving New York never easy
(It's pulling me apart)
I saw the light fading out (change)
Leaving New York never easy
(It's pulling me apart)
I saw the light fading out (change)


Lyrics submitted by cerph

Leaving New York Lyrics as written by Mike Mills Peter Buck

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

Lyrics powered by LyricFind

Leaving New York song meanings
Add Your Thoughts

33 Comments

sort form View by:
  • 0
    General Comment

    I imagine Stipey has some good friends or loved ones in NYC. Anyway, great song.

    SMUSER17000412on October 16, 2004   Link

Add your thoughts

Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.

Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!

More Featured Meanings

Album art
Corpse I Fell In Love With
Gadjits, The
He reuses the verse melody from the previous album's "Dirty Little Religion", the topics of the verses are all over the place, and he packs too many words into one line (goes to show...) and too few in another (it's pretty hard to find), and rhymes "Henley Regatta" with "Persona non grata", but gets away with it all as only he could.
Album art
Bron-Y-Aur Stomp
Led Zeppelin
This is about bronies. They communicate by stomping.
Album art
Son Şansın - Şarkı Sözleri
Hayalperest
This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere. In general, it highlights the danger of hidden agendas, manipulation, and distraction, serving as a critique of those who exploit chaos and confusion to control and gain power, depicting a cautionary tale against falling into their traps. It encourages us to question the narratives presented to us and remain vigilant against manipulation in various parts of society.
Album art
Cajun Girl
Little Feat
Overall about difficult moments of disappointment and vulnerability. Having hope and longing, while remaining optimistic for the future. Encourages the belief that with each new morning there is a chance for things to improve. The chorus offers a glimmer of optimism and a chance at a resolution and redemption in the future. Captures the rollercoaster of emotions of feeling lost while loving someone who is not there for you, feeling let down and abandoned while waiting for a lover. Lost with no direction, "Now I'm up in the air with the rain in my hair, Nowhere to go, I can go anywhere" The bridge shows signs of longing and a plea for companionship. The Lyrics express a desire for authentic connection and the importance of Loving someone just as they are. "Just in passing, I'm not asking. That you be anyone but you”
Album art
Holiday
Bee Gees
@[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.