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Paris Lyrics
The train pulled into Paris
Like a rocket to the moon.
The station's like a circus
Every face is a cartoon.
And everyone's stoned on pride
And drunk on cheap champagne.
Tonight this joie de vivre
Sure don't live up to its name.
Now all I can say is
I'd give this world to you
Every rock and every stone
Every masterpiece in Rome
And if you'd ask me to
I'd steal the Mona Lisa
Tear it up in little pieces
And lay them at your feet
For all the world to see.
But tonight I can't give you
Paris.
Aristicats are everywhere
And the air is as thick as thieves.
She'd like nothing better than to
Steal the breath from me.
And the tower's lights ain't shinin'
As it hangs its head in shame
At the sight of American blood
On the streets of St. Germain
Washin' up into the Seine
And I'd give this world to you
I'd steal the crown and kingdom
From the Queen of England
And if you'd ask me to
I'd take this city in my hands
Break it down to grains of sand
And lay them at your feet
For all the world to see.
But tonight I can't give you
Paris.
Like a rocket to the moon.
The station's like a circus
Every face is a cartoon.
And everyone's stoned on pride
And drunk on cheap champagne.
Tonight this joie de vivre
Sure don't live up to its name.
Now all I can say is
Every rock and every stone
Every masterpiece in Rome
And if you'd ask me to
I'd steal the Mona Lisa
Tear it up in little pieces
And lay them at your feet
For all the world to see.
But tonight I can't give you
Paris.
And the air is as thick as thieves.
She'd like nothing better than to
Steal the breath from me.
And the tower's lights ain't shinin'
As it hangs its head in shame
At the sight of American blood
On the streets of St. Germain
Washin' up into the Seine
I'd steal the crown and kingdom
From the Queen of England
And if you'd ask me to
I'd take this city in my hands
Break it down to grains of sand
And lay them at your feet
For all the world to see.
But tonight I can't give you
Paris.
Song Info
Submitted by
waif On Aug 07, 2005
More Faith Hill
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I always thought this song was about a person willing to do absolutely anything for someone else, until there's that one thing you just can't give them.
I agree most with your interpretation. This is such an intriguing song, the lyrics are so powerful. I'm still not completely sure I understand what the song is referencing, but you're totally right, the person speaking is willing to do ANYTHING for someone they love... but it keeps going back to "but tonight I can't give you Paris".
I agree most with your interpretation. This is such an intriguing song, the lyrics are so powerful. I'm still not completely sure I understand what the song is referencing, but you're totally right, the person speaking is willing to do ANYTHING for someone they love... but it keeps going back to "but tonight I can't give you Paris".
The verses in the song focus on just what Paris is, and what it isn't. We all think of "Paris" as a city of lovers and romance, but here the author is making the point that Paris is all...
The verses in the song focus on just what Paris is, and what it isn't. We all think of "Paris" as a city of lovers and romance, but here the author is making the point that Paris is all it's cracked up to be. My thought was that the author could be portraying "Paris" as the other woman in this man's life. Would that make sense?
This is my opinion: While this may be a song about war, or love in war, I agree that it's about the things that someone would do for the person they love. But these are not little things, these are extremes. You'd be shot if you tore up the Mona Lisa, let us be honest here. However, giving someone Paris doesn't seem as extreme. I mean, I could jump on a plane right now with the person I love and be in Paris by morning, but this person can't do that for some reason. They just can't do that one special thing, and it's heartbreaking.
I also agree that it might be that they can't give the other person the Paris that they remember best. The irony is that they are in Paris, or at least on of them is. But they can't get back the love that surrounds the city of lights. Paris in the war is violent and dark. Blood, thievery, etc. These are intense images coupled with intense emotions like shame. The circus imagery is also interesting to note. It's like Paris has turned into a joke. It's not even real anymore because it's changed so much. The other note I have is that the author references other cities with the art and crown jewels. There's probably some significance in referencing Italy and England. We also must think about when the song takes place, and where the Mona Lisa was located. Was this song in 1911 when the painting was stolen? I don't know, I'm not a history major...
In my opinion, this is the most beautiful song ever. I love it so much, and it has so much meaning to me. Mostly because the person I love is from Paris. I feel like I would do anything for them, but I can't give them Paris. I can't give them their childhood memories and the smell of bakeries and the beauty that surrounds what they remember best. I can't give them anything close to that. All I can do is love them and offer them all I have, and that's what this song is about. It's about trying your hardest when you are powerless to do everything.
Je t'aime, E. Toujours.
From Gordie Sampson's website (the brilliant songwriter who wrote this one):
The aptly titled "Paris," may be disguised as a love song, but it's actually about the three of them getting jumped and hospitalized on Bastille Day. "There's couple of lines in that --'American blood in the streets of Saint Germaine' -- which is what happened," says Gordie. "We loosely based the song on what it's like to be an American in Paris."
I orignally thought, when I first heard this song, that it was about two people in love during a war - So the woman is saying this world is crazy and mad, but it's all I can give to you. But when it says "Tonight I can't give you paris", I thought she meant, but I can't give the "The Paris" like the normal non-war paris. Anyways, that's what I thought lol.
This is one of the most beautiful songs Faith sings. Her voice is amazing and the song is just lovely.