The whole album is inspired by the french student riots in 1968: the french flag is on the cover, and the lemons are there because the students used them to help with the effects of tear gas.
This song of all the ones on the album sounds like the most likely to be about a riot. The streets are cold and lonely because they have been cleared by the police, the cars that were set on fire are just left burning.
Obviously the whole song is about the contrast between the fire and the cold, the warmth and the emptiness, being alone and together.
The riots of 1968 were seen as a perfect opportunity for a revolution, but the French communist party failed to act and order was restored - this song is about the cold and loneliness after the riots once order was restored: "sometimes i fantasize" and "don't these times fill your eyes" (as in tears).
The fire could also be a metaphor for his desire, the rioters desire for change and revolution, a desire which was quashed by the cold of the French government.
The whole album is inspired by the french student riots in 1968: the french flag is on the cover, and the lemons are there because the students used them to help with the effects of tear gas.
This song of all the ones on the album sounds like the most likely to be about a riot. The streets are cold and lonely because they have been cleared by the police, the cars that were set on fire are just left burning.
Obviously the whole song is about the contrast between the fire and the cold, the warmth and the emptiness, being alone and together.
The riots of 1968 were seen as a perfect opportunity for a revolution, but the French communist party failed to act and order was restored - this song is about the cold and loneliness after the riots once order was restored: "sometimes i fantasize" and "don't these times fill your eyes" (as in tears).
The fire could also be a metaphor for his desire, the rioters desire for change and revolution, a desire which was quashed by the cold of the French government.
You're completely right. There's no other way to look at this song after reading your explanation.
You're completely right. There's no other way to look at this song after reading your explanation.