The District Sleeps Alone Tonight
Birdy Lyrics
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And I'm barely listening to last demands
I'm staring at the asphalt wondering what's buried underneath
Where I am
Where I am
I'll wear my badge a vinyl sticker with big block letters adherent to my chest
That tells your new friends I am a visitor here
I am not permanent
And the only thing keeping me dry is
Where I am (you seem so out of context in this gaudy apartment complex)
Where I am (a stranger with your door key explaining that I am just visiting)
Where I am (and I am finally seeing why I was the one worth leaving)
(Why I was the one worth leaving)
D.C. sleeps alone tonight
D.C. sleeps alone tonight
Where I am (you seem so out of context in this gaudy apartment complex)
Where I am (a stranger with your door key explaining that I am just visiting)
Where I am (and I am finally seeing why I was the one worth leaving)
(Why I was the one worth leaving)
The district sleeps alone tonight after the bars turn out their lights
And leave the autos swerving into the loneliest evening
And I am finally seeing
Why I was the one worth leaving
Why I was the one worth leaving
Why I was the one worth leaving
Why I was the one worth leaving
The song "The District Sleeps Alone Tonight" by Birdy is a beautifully haunting melody that evokes sadness and longing. The lyrics, while simple on the surface, paint a picture of loneliness and disconnection. The opening lines introduce a smeared black ink face, indicating a state of hopelessness or despair. The singer is barely listening to last demands, suggesting a level of apathy or detachment from the expectations of others. The imagery of staring at the asphalt wondering what's buried underneath shows a deep contemplation of the unknown and the search for meaning or purpose.
The next verse brings a new layer of meaning to the song. Birdy mentions wearing a badge as a visitor, not permanent, suggesting a feeling of displacement or alienation. The reference to the gaudy apartment complex and a stranger with a door key adds to the sense of being out of place. The only thing keeping the singer dry is where she is, a nod to the physical location, but also an indication of the importance of finding a grounding presence or connection.
Finally, the chorus, with a repeated line of "Why I was the one worth leaving," reinforces the sense of unworthiness or rejection. The reference to D.C. sleeping alone after the bars turn out their lights adds to the mood of isolation and despair. The ultimate realization, that the singer was the one worth leaving, is a poignant expression of pain and self-judgment.
Overall, "The District Sleeps Alone Tonight" is a powerful expression of loneliness and disconnection, beautifully conveyed through its lyrics and melody.
Line by Line Meaning
Smeared black ink your face is ashen
Your face has smudged black ink, and you look pale and lifeless.
And I'm barely listening to last demands
I'm hardly paying attention to your final requests.
I'm staring at the asphalt wondering what's buried underneath
I'm looking at the road and wondering what's hidden beneath it.
Where I am
I'm thinking about my current location.
Where I am
I'm still thinking about my current location.
I'll wear my badge a vinyl sticker with big block letters adherent to my chest
I'll put on my badge, which is a vinyl sticker with big letters that stick to my chest.
That tells your new friends I am a visitor here
This badge informs your new friends that I'm just a guest.
I am not permanent
I'm not a permanent fixture in this place.
And the only thing keeping me dry is
The only thing keeping me from getting wet is...
Where I am (you seem so out of context in this gaudy apartment complex)
Being here makes no sense to me, you're out of place in this fancy apartment complex.
Where I am (a stranger with your door key explaining that I am just visiting)
I feel like an outsider in your home, using your key to get in and telling anyone who asks that I'm only here for a short visit.
Where I am (and I am finally seeing why I was the one worth leaving)
Being here has finally made me realize why you chose to leave me behind.
(Why I was the one worth leaving)
And it's because I wasn't as valuable to you as I thought.
D.C. sleeps alone tonight
The city (District of Columbia) is quiet and deserted tonight.
D.C. sleeps alone tonight
The city is still quiet and empty.
Where I am (you seem so out of context in this gaudy apartment complex)
I still feel uncomfortable and out of place in this luxurious apartment complex.
Where I am (a stranger with your door key explaining that I am just visiting)
I'm still here as a stranger, using your key to get in, telling people I'm only visiting you.
Where I am (and I am finally seeing why I was the one worth leaving)
I'm still thinking about how being here made me realize why you chose to leave me behind.
(Why I was the one worth leaving)
And how I wasn't as valuable to you as I thought.
The district sleeps alone tonight after the bars turn out their lights
The district is quiet and lonely after the bars close for the night.
And leave the autos swerving into the loneliest evening
The few cars that are still on the road are weaving around in the lonely darkness.
And I am finally seeing
And now I understand.
Why I was the one worth leaving
Why you chose to leave me behind.
Why I was the one worth leaving
Why I wasn't as valuable to you as I thought.
Why I was the one worth leaving
Why you decided to walk away from our relationship.
Why I was the one worth leaving
Why you didn't see a future with me anymore.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Benjamin D Gibbard, James Scott Tamborello
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind