Since I can't find an Olympia that better fits, I think Olympia is the subject of Manet's painting by the same name. She is lying back on a sofa, nude and looking at ease. '"Olympia" was a name associated with prostitutes in 1860s Paris.' There is a black cat at her feet.
I suspect the place in Notting Hill refers to a place you can find prostitutes.
I think the song juxtaposes the sense of contentment displayed in the painting ("to cherish feeling fine") with the stress and expectations of the real world ("aftermath of pain", "chaos of our lives", "Dress myself up like the perfect girl"). It does not idealize her lifestyle or imply anything sexual, only the feeling of being fine with yourself regardless of pressure from others.
Since I can't find an Olympia that better fits, I think Olympia is the subject of Manet's painting by the same name. She is lying back on a sofa, nude and looking at ease. '"Olympia" was a name associated with prostitutes in 1860s Paris.' There is a black cat at her feet.
I suspect the place in Notting Hill refers to a place you can find prostitutes.
I think the song juxtaposes the sense of contentment displayed in the painting ("to cherish feeling fine") with the stress and expectations of the real world ("aftermath of pain", "chaos of our lives", "Dress myself up like the perfect girl"). It does not idealize her lifestyle or imply anything sexual, only the feeling of being fine with yourself regardless of pressure from others.