Uptown, the street's in a calming way
And outside is warm as a bed with a maid
And I find it's all our waves and raves
That makes the days go on this way

I heard the sad sound of words
Spoken from a beak of a wise old bird
Uptown, the streets are kept afloat
And that girl never leaves me alone

He means well, saying,
I've got stories of wine, superb
And of course my childhood, forks and knives
And a hospital bed, where I turned my life over and over again

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Beirut's song "Forks And Knives" depict a nostalgic glimpse into the singer's past and the present surroundings of uptown New York City. The opening lines convey a tranquil and peaceful atmosphere in contrast to the hustle and bustle of the city. The warm outside serves as a comforting escape, just like the feeling of lying in bed with a maid. However, the singer later reveals that it's the city's energy and constant motion that propels the days forward.

The singer further reflects on the sounds of the city, including those of an old wise bird who utters sad words. The streets uptown are bustling with life, but there's a subtle reference to a girl who never leaves him alone, perhaps suggesting that this is the only constant in his life.

The final lines of the verse touch on the old man's perspective, who has lived a life filled with stories of wine and childhood memories that involve forks and knives. The reference to the hospital bed indicates a deeper underlying sense of hopelessness and struggle in life. Overall, "Forks And Knives" evokes a sense of nostalgia, longing, and reflection on the many elements that have shaped the singer's life.

Line by Line Meaning

Uptown, the street's in a calming way
The streets uptown are peaceful and quiet

And outside is warm as a bed with a maid
It is warm outside, like a cozy bed with somebody to care for you

And I find it's all our waves and raves
It seems like our excitement and energy is what keeps the days going

That makes the days go on this way
Our collective enthusiasm sustains our daily routine

I heard the sad sound of words
I listened to someone speak with melancholy

Spoken from a beak of a wise old bird
It was from the mouth of an experienced and knowledgeable person

Uptown, the streets are kept afloat
The area uptown is well-maintained and prosperous

And that girl never leaves me alone
I always have that girl with me and she's always faithful

He means well, saying,
He's a good person, though he might not always express himself properly

I've got stories of wine, superb
He has tales of excellent wine

And of course my childhood, forks and knives
He also has memories from his youth centered around utensils and eating

And a hospital bed, where I turned my life over and over again
He reflects on a life-changing experience he had while in a hospital bed

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