Claudette
Algiers Lyrics


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I wanted
To forgive you and forget
But now I'm haunted
I wanted
To forgive you and forget
But now I'm haunted
By what replaces you instead
There's no city whose end
Was so lamentable as Memphis
Today is not even a ruin
As I crack a smile
While you fade to death
Oh no, Claudette

I couldn't help but crack a smile

The further you get
My darling
I'm filled with regret
Tall figures encircle us
You're staggering in red
So cold and led astray
Betrayed by the Good Place
The God Crown in their
Outstretched hands
We're forced to walk away
Then the wolves descend...

Oh Claudette
I knew you'd lead me astray
No Claudette
I don't want you to stay
Go Claudette
And drift away from the light




No Claudette
I can't keep from smiling

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to "Claudette" by Algiers are intriguing and open to interpretation, but they are seemingly about a relationship that has ended in betrayal and heartbreak. The singer wants to forgive and forget the person who hurt them, but they are haunted by the memories of what happened. The line "there's no city whose end was so lamentable as Memphis" could be a reference to the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. in Memphis, which left a lasting impact on the city and the country.


The chorus of the song features the singer addressing Claudette directly, telling her to go away and "drift away from the light." There are also references to "tall figures" and "wolves" descending upon the singer and Claudette, hinting at some kind of danger or peril that they are facing together. Throughout the song, there is a sense of resignation and acceptance that the relationship is over, even though it hurts.


Overall, the lyrics to "Claudette" are poetic and mysterious, leaving the listener to fill in the gaps and derive their own meaning from the words.


Line by Line Meaning

I wanted
I had the desire


To forgive you and forget
To pardon your actions and move on


But now I'm haunted
But now I'm troubled


By what replaces you instead
By what replaces your presence with something else


There's no city whose end
No city's downfall


Was so lamentable as Memphis
Was as sorrowful as that of Memphis


Today is not even a ruin
Today doesn't even resemble a ruin


As I crack a smile
As I express happiness


While you fade to death
As you gradually die


Oh no, Claudette
Oh no, Claudette


I couldn't help but crack a smile
I couldn't resist the urge to smile


The further you get
The more distant you become


My darling
My dear one


I'm filled with regret
I am remorseful


Tall figures encircle us
Tall individuals surround us


You're staggering in red
You're walking unsteadily in red attire


So cold and led astray
So emotionally distant and misguided


Betrayed by the Good Place
Betrayed by a supposed good or safe environment


The God Crown in their
The divine symbol worn by them


Outstretched hands
Extended arms


We're forced to walk away
We're compelled to depart


Then the wolves descend...
Then the predators come closer


Oh Claudette
Oh Claudette


I knew you'd lead me astray
I knew you'd misguide me


No Claudette
No Claudette


I don't want you to stay
I don't want you to remain


Go Claudette
Leave Claudette


And drift away from the light
And move away from illumination


No Claudette
No Claudette


I can't keep from smiling
I can't help but smile




Writer(s): Franklin Fisher, Lee Tesche, John Mahan

Contributed by Sadie R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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