City Hall

Vienna Teng

Me and my baby on a February holiday
'cause we got the news
Yeah, we got the news
500 miles and we're gonna make it all the way
We've got nothing to lose
We've got nothing to lose

it's been 10 years waiting
But it's better late than the never
We've been told before
We can't wait one minute more

oh, me and my baby driving down
To a hilly seaside town in the rainfall
Oh, me and my baby stand in line
You've never seen a sight so fine
As the love that's gonna shine
At city hall

me and my baby've been through
A lot of good and bad
Learned to kiss the sky
Made our momma's cry
I've seen a lot of friends
After giving it all they had
Lay down and die
Lay down and die

10 years into it
Here's our window
At the vegas drive-through chapel
It ain't too much
For 'em all to handle

oh, me and my baby driving down
To a hilly seaside town in the rainfall
Oh, me and my baby stand in line
You've never seen a sight so fine
As the love that's gonna shine
At city hall

outside, they're handing out
Donuts and pizza pies
For the folks in pairs in the folding chairs
My baby's lookin' so damned pretty
With those anxious eyes
Rain-speckled hair
And my ring to wear

10 years waiting for this moment of fate
When we say the words and sign our names
If they take it away again someday
This beautiful thing won't change

oh, me and my baby driving down
To a hilly seaside town in the rainfall
Oh, me and my baby stand in line
You've never seen a sight so fine
As the love that's gonna shine

oh, me and my baby driving down
To a hilly seaside town in the rainfall
Oh, me and my baby stand in line
You've never seen a sight so fine
As the love that's gonna shine
At city hall



Lyrics submitted by delial

City Hall Lyrics as written by Vienna Teng

Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC

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City Hall song meanings
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10 Comments

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  • +2
    General Comment
    This song is clearly about the mayor of San Francisco (a hilly seaside town) performing marriages for homosexual couples. I think that this is the best song off of her newest CD. I gave it to one of my best friends and her girlfriend, who happens to be from San Francisco, to listen to and told them they have to use it at there wedding. One of the things that has always impressed me about Vienna is her ability to write songs from the point of view of other people and still have them seem genuine. As a Heterosexual Female it is impressive for her to write songs from the points of view of people ranging from a homosexual who is finally being able to marry the person they love after being together for ten years, (just as a side note the average lifespan of a heterosexual marriage in America today is less then 10 years) to a male truck driver finding insight into life from a chance meeting with someone from where he grew up, to a pregnant woman who is contemplating an abortion. All of these are situations she has never been in and I think it’s her empathy that makes her such a fantastic songwriter and musician.
    Camhion August 10, 2006   Link
  • +2
    General Comment
    That gave me goosbumbs big, big, BIG time!
    Equisetaon September 25, 2010   Link
  • +1
    General Comment
    i think vienna teng is not only an amazing singer and a sweet person, but she is a wonderful poet. she puts meaning into her songs through subtle messages and light wording that you almost miss. love this song!
    irdevonkon April 14, 2007   Link
  • +1
    General Comment
    She sings "February" without the first "r." I have a slight problem with that in the same way that I have a slight problem with "nucular," but then, I can be a pedantic asshole. Son of an English teacher and all. Such a wonderful artist, and the spirit and hope (which I must believe will be fulfilled in the end) that drive this song deserve massive appreciation. Thanks for the background, merrydrought. While this song is clearly about our city by the bay, I would not have guessed the link to "Unwritten Letter no. 1," and it's pretty cool.
    raffishtenant2on October 05, 2007   Link
  • +1
    My Opinion
    I absolutely adore Vienna Teng, and it pains me that she's not a hugely popular artist. This song is absolutely genius, catchy, and uplifting. I often put all 3 of her CDs on shuffle, and the first couple times I heard this one I only really remembered the "Oh-oh-ohhh" bits, but once I got to listen to it properly I was blown away by both the message and the exectution. She's amazing, nuff said.
    yaoigrrlon May 01, 2009   Link
  • +1
    General Comment
    I saw Vienna perform, and before playing this she said she wanted to write a song about gay marriage that wasn't too political or preechy, so she wrote about the happiness that someone feels when they find someone they want to spend the rest of their life with- something that everyone can relate to. And she made clear references to San Fransisco, of course.
    Bobathinon June 29, 2009   Link
  • +1
    General Comment
    It's kinda funny - I always heard "the love that's gonna shine" as "the law that's gonna shine" haha. I guess love is a whole lot more poetic. Anyway, I also love the folksy-country lilt to this - it's cheerful, and really open-minded, in the sense that one commonly associates that style with regions of America that reject homosexuality and all that. So it's ironic, but in a positive way, which is lovely for a change (considering how nasty arguments around this subject can turn). <3
    ShainaShainaon July 28, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    Vienna has a friend (who is, interestingly enough, the subject of "Unwritten Letter no. 1") who was married to his partner at San Francisco City Hall.
    merrydroughton August 16, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    Is "Learned to kiss the sky" in this song a reference to the famous mondegreen? ("Scuse me while I kiss the sky" in a Jimi Hendrix song is sometimes misheard as "Scuse me while I kiss this guy".)
    jrudermanon January 21, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    My Baby and I still cannot get married in my home state.
    RonLeeon September 04, 2012   Link

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