Born on 9th March 1942 in Garnant, Wales, Cale spoke only Welsh until the age of seven, when he began to learn English at school. He went on to study viola at Goldsmiths College, University of London, where he became involved in avant garde music. He traveled to the U.S. to continue his studies, thanks to the help and influence of Aaron Copland, and met and worked with various avant-garde composers, including John Cage, while becoming fascinated with the new Anglo-American art movements.
In 1965, he co-founded the Velvet Underground with Lou Reed. Though best known for his work with the band, Cale has produced a massive body of work that ranges from tastefully arranged strings and piano over Dylan Thomas poetry to barely-suppressed, nigh-psychotic aggression set to high-energy avant-garde rock. Cale's style is almost impossible to pin down, as almost every album contains new experiments and influences. He is also well known as the producer of such works as the debuts of The Stooges, The Modern Lovers, and Patti Smith (the critically acclaimed 'Horses'). He also played a major role in Nico's 'The Marble Index'.
He's released some compilation works such as 'Seducing Down the Door: A Collection 1970-1990' that attempt to show the range and depth of his music. Cale was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as member of the Velvet Underground in 1996, and he was also appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire in 2010. As the years have gone by, he's had a wide variety of tours, additionally dealing with his own personal demons.
Paris 1919
John Cale Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Standing there but never ever talking sense
Just a visitor you see
So much wanting to be seen
She'd open up the doors and vaguely carry us away
It's the customary thing to say or do
To a disappointed proud man in his grief
And on Fridays she'd be there
But on Mondays not at all
Just casually appearing from the clock across the hall
You're a ghost, la la la la la la la la la
You're a ghost, la la la la la la la la la
I'm the church and I've come
To claim you with my iron drum
La la la la la la
The Continent's just fallen in disgrace
William, William, William Rogers put it in its place
Blood and tears from old Japan
Caravans and lots of jam
And maids of honor singing, crying, singing tediously
You're a ghost, la la la la la la la la la
Yes, you're a ghost, la la la la la la la la la
I'm the bishop and I've come
To claim you with my iron drum
La la la la la la
Efficiency, efficiency, they say
Get to know the date and tell the time of day
As the crowds begin complaining
How the Beaujolais is raining
Down on darkened meetings on the Champs-Élysées
You're a ghost, la la la la la la la la la
You're a ghost, la la la la la la la la la
And I'm the church and I've come
To claim you with my iron drum
La la la la la la
You're a ghost, la la la la la la la la la
You're a ghost, la la la la la la la la la
I'm the church and I've come
To claim you with my iron drum
La la la la la la
You're a ghost, la la la la la la la la la
You're a ghost, la la la la la la la la la
I'm the church and I've come
To claim you with my iron drum
La la la la la la
John Cale's "Paris 1919" features a cryptic, surrealistic story that unfolds through a series of disjointed and opaque lyrical fragments. The constant shifts between disconnected scenes create an atmosphere of confusion and disorientation. However, the song seems to revolve around a central theme of loss and longing for a past that cannot be recovered.
The first stanza presents a female character who exerts a powerful but elusive presence over the singer. She never talks sense, and yet she commands attention and exudes an air of mystery. The singer seems desperate to be "seen" by her, but she remains enigmatic and distant. The line "She'd open up the doors and vaguely carry us away" suggests that she has the power to transport the singer to another place or time, but only in a fleeting and insubstantial way. The second stanza continues the theme of unfulfilled desire, as the female character appears intermittently and without explanation. The line "You're a ghost" suggests that she is a figment of the singer's imagination or a memory of a past love. The third stanza introduces new characters and settings, including the fallen continent and the ominous William Rogers. The image of maids of honor singing and crying contrasts sharply with the previous scenes of romantic longing and sets a darker tone. The final stanza mentions Beaujolais and the Champs Élysées, suggesting that the action takes place in France. The singer's repeated claim that he is the church and has come to claim the female character with his iron drum is cryptic and mysterious, leaving the listener to interpret its meaning.
Overall, the song creates a haunting and surreal atmosphere, evoking a bygone era and a sense of loss and disillusionment.
Line by Line Meaning
She makes me so unsure of myself
The woman's presence causes the singer to feel insecure and uncertain.
Standing there but never ever talking sense
Although she is physically present, she doesn't communicate anything meaningful.
Just a visitor you see
The woman is just a temporary guest or outsider.
So much wanting to be seen
She desires attention and recognition.
She'd open up the doors and vaguely carry us away
She would lead people into a dreamlike state or fantasy world.
It's the customary thing to say or do
It is expected to act a certain way in certain situations.
To a disappointed proud man in his grief
To comfort a man who is both saddened and still having an inflated ego.
And on Fridays she'd be there
She only shows up on Fridays.
But on Mondays not at all
But she never shows up on Mondays.
Just casually appearing from the clock across the hall
She appears in a nonchalant way, appearing to come from a clock in the distance.
You're a ghost, la la la la la la la la la
The subject being addressed is like a ghost, intangible and insubstantial.
I'm the church and I've come
The artist represents an institution or organization and has arrived.
To claim you with my iron drum
To assert authority or control over the subject with a strong, powerful approach.
The Continent's just fallen in disgrace
Europe is in a state of disgrace or has lost its status.
William, William, William Rogers put it in its place
Someone named William has restored order or put things right in Europe.
Blood and tears from old Japan
Japan has experienced much pain and suffering.
Caravans and lots of jam
There are groups of people travelling together and plenty of food.
And maids of honor singing, crying, singing tediously
Women of noble birth are singing and crying in a monotonous and tiresome way.
Efficiency, efficiency, they say
People are concerned with being efficient and productive.
Get to know the date and tell the time of day
It's important to be aware of the current date and time.
As the crowds begin complaining
The masses are beginning to express their dissatisfaction.
How the Beaujolais is raining
Wine from the Beaujolais region is flowing or being consumed heavily.
Down on darkened meetings on the Champs-Élysées
Alcohol is being consumed at meetings that take place in dimly lit areas on the Champs-Élysées.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: John Davies Cale
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind