Tokyo
Tokyo Lyrics
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I'm feeling the glow
Hold me 'cause the crowded streets
Sound in the night
Spending my time here with you
I've got nothing to lose
Again and again I have to give in
I might have to choose
'Cause I fell in love with a Japanese girl
And I got a woman at home
Guess it's time to face the truth
Can't take no more
Tokyo, Tokyo
Time of my life
Tokyo, Tokyo
Time of my life
Look into my eyes and see
That I wanna stay
I don't mean to make you cry
You know I've got to return
'Cause it's waiting on me in a different world
And I can't stand the pain
Never believed in miracles
But I'm gonna try
Tokyo, Tokyo
Time of my life
Tokyo, Tokyo
Time of my life
Tokyo, Tokyo
Time of my life
Tokyo, Tokyo
Time of my life
Tokyo, Tokyo
Time of my life
Tokyo, Tokyo
Time of my life
Tokyo, Tokyo
Time of my life
Tokyo, Tokyo
Time of my life
Tokyo, Tokyo
The song "Tokyo" by Japanese band Tokyo is a poignant story about a man falling in love with a Japanese girl while visiting Tokyo. The opening lines of "City lights shine down on me, I'm feeling the glow" set the scene for the song and suggest that the character is open to new experiences and quite taken by the vibrant city. The chorus of "Tokyo, Tokyo, time of my life" emphasizes the singer's appreciation of the excitement and possibility he feels in Tokyo.
However, there is a complication. The character has a woman waiting for him back home, and he can't ignore the guilt and difficult choices his infidelity is creating. The second verse touches on this theme, as the character acknowledges that he doesn't intend to hurt the Japanese girl, yet he can't help but feel drawn to her allure. "I don't mean to make you cry, you know I've got to return."
What makes this song particularly poignant is its understated delivery. The Japanese-inspired melodies, with their delicate string instruments and ethereal harmonies, create a mood of longing and wistfulness. The lyrics, too, are simple but heartfelt, expressing the character's mixed emotions without resorting to melodrama or overstatement.
Overall, "Tokyo" is a beautiful, melancholy song that captures the bittersweet feelings of falling in love with a place and a person that you know you must eventually leave behind.
Line by Line Meaning
City lights shine down on me
The bright lights of the city are illuminating the singer as they look around
I'm feeling the glow
The singer is basking in the beauty and energy of the city
Hold me 'cause the crowded streets
The singer is seeking comfort in the arms of their companion as they navigate busy city streets
Sound in the night
The atmosphere of the city is alive with sound during the nighttime
Spending my time here with you
The singer is enjoying their time in Tokyo with their partner
I've got nothing to lose
The singer is fully embracing their experiences in Tokyo without fear of consequence
Again and again I have to give in
The singer keeps giving in to their love for Tokyo
I might have to choose
The singer is acknowledging the need to make a decision about their current situation
'Cause I fell in love with a Japanese girl
The singer has fallen in love with a woman from Tokyo
And I got a woman at home
The singer has a partner waiting for them back home
Guess it's time to face the truth
The singer realizes they need to confront the reality of their situation
Can't take no more
The singer is at their breaking point and can no longer handle their internal conflict
Tokyo, Tokyo
Repeated reference to Tokyo as the place the singer is experiencing everything
Time of my life
Tokyo has become a memorable and significant experience for the singer
Look into my eyes and see
The singer is asking their partner to see their true intentions and feelings
That I wanna stay
The singer wants to remain in Tokyo
I don't mean to make you cry
The singer is apologizing to their partner for causing emotional distress
You know I've got to return
The singer must return home despite their desire to stay in Tokyo
'Cause it's waiting on me in a different world
The singer's responsibilities and commitments are awaiting them back in their home country
And I can't stand the pain
The internal conflict of leaving Tokyo and their partner is causing the singer significant emotional pain
Never believed in miracles
The singer has a pessimistic view of fate and occurrences outside of their control
But I'm gonna try
The singer is willing to attempt to make a miraculous outcome happen
Contributed by Ryan P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.