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Manhattan Lyrics
You can have Manhattan
I know it’s for the best
I’ll gather the avenues and leave them on your doorstep
And I’ll tiptoe away
So you won’t have to say you heard me leave
You can have Manhattan
I know it’s what you want
The bustle and the buildings,
The weather in the fall
And I’ll buy the place
Save you some space
For somebody new
You can have Manhattan
‘Cause I can’t have you
You can have Manhattan
The one we used to share
The one where we were laughing
And drunk on just being there
Hang onto the reverie, could you do that for me?
‘Cause I’m just too sad to
You can have Manhattan
‘Cause I can’t have you
And so it goes
One foot after the other till black and white begin to color in
And I know
That holding us in place is simply fear of what’s already changed
You can have Manhattan
I’ll settle for the beach
With sunsets facing westward
With sand beneath my feet
And I’ll wish this away
This missing the days
When I was one half of two
You can have Manhattan
‘Cause I can’t have you
Bye, bye…
I know it’s for the best
I’ll gather the avenues and leave them on your doorstep
And I’ll tiptoe away
So you won’t have to say you heard me leave
I know it’s what you want
The bustle and the buildings,
The weather in the fall
And I’ll buy the place
Save you some space
For somebody new
‘Cause I can’t have you
The one we used to share
The one where we were laughing
And drunk on just being there
Hang onto the reverie, could you do that for me?
‘Cause I’m just too sad to
‘Cause I can’t have you
One foot after the other till black and white begin to color in
And I know
That holding us in place is simply fear of what’s already changed
I’ll settle for the beach
With sunsets facing westward
With sand beneath my feet
And I’ll wish this away
This missing the days
When I was one half of two
‘Cause I can’t have you
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This song, as told by Sara on her tour, is about her wanting to move to NYC while her boyfriend, Javier Dunn, wants to remain in Los Angeles. Her desire to move was so strong it ended their relationship of 7 years. The song is written from his point of view.
This song's meaning to me was basically a sophisticated way of saying "I'm giving up on this." She talks about the beauties of Manhattan, and how he can have it all, so maybe she's talking about Manhattan as another girl. However, it is more likely that they are slowly sliding away from eachother ("you can have Manhattan, I'll settle for the beach"). "Holding us in place is simply fear of what's already changed". The only reason they're still together is because they are scared it's going to get worse than it already is, and they don't want to hurt eachother. This is Sara giving it all up, setting him free.
I think it's exactly what you said. I think it's just the realization that what they had before is over, and it's time to quit holding onto each other and their dream (Manhattan). It didn't work out, and it's time to move on.
I think it's exactly what you said. I think it's just the realization that what they had before is over, and it's time to quit holding onto each other and their dream (Manhattan). It didn't work out, and it's time to move on.
Two people; he from New York, her from California. They have tried to live in New York as a couple, but she realizes it is time to call it quits. The difference of being from 2 states is not the issue. She loved New York, too. So, this is how much she loves him. She is willing to give up fabulous New York. She realizes it is for the best and loves him this much to let him go and find someone who he can build a life with in Manhattan. She will settle for the beach and anyone from California knows that ain't too bad either. But, she wants him to know while she is walking in the sand, she'll be thinking of fond memories of him and the love they shared.
Two people; he from New York, her from California. They have tried to live in New York as a couple, but she realizes it is time to call it quits. The difference of being from 2 states is not the issue. She loved New York, too. So, this is how much she loves him. She is willing to give up fabulous New York. She realizes it is for the best and loves him this much to let him go and find someone who he can build a life with in Manhattan. She will settle for the beach and anyone from California knows that ain't too bad either. But, she wants him to know while she is walking in the sand, she'll be thinking of fond memories of him and the love they shared.
This song made me think of someone leaving Manhattan or refusing to visit Manhattan because it reminds them too much of a lost relationship and the two parties need space from each other.
Manhattan. There being past and future in the song, the past where bustle and laughter were how Manhattan was defined, the future where she abandons all of this for the sake that is the prized relationship, the lyrics form a plot that separates her style of life from this other person’s. She associates this other lifestyle with MANhattan and criticizes it because it is too sad and hurried. It used to be comfortable and dreamy to maintain, but she aims to forget this and become her own person. She partners the other person with Manhattan and chooses to veer away from the two that are meant for each other.