Berlin
Cale John Lou Reed & Nico Lyrics
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You were five foot ten inches tall
It was very nice
Candlelight and Dubonnet on ice
We were in a small cafe
You could hear the guitars play
It was very nice
You're right and I'm wrong
Hey babe, I'm gonna miss you now that you're gone
One sweet day
Oh, you're right and I'm wrong
You know I'm gonna miss you now that you're gone
One sweet day
One sweet day
In a small, small cafe
We could hear the guitars play
It was very nice
Candlelight and Dubonnet on ice
Don't forget, hire the vet
He hasn't had much fun yet
It was very nice
Hey honey, it was paradise
You're right and I'm wrong
Hey babe, I'm gonna miss you now that you're gone
One sweet day
You're right, oh, and I'm wrong
You know I'm gonna miss you now that you're gone
One sweet day, one sweet day
One sweet day
One sweet day, oh, one sweet day
One sweet day, baby, baby, one sweet day ...
The song Berlin by Cale John Lou Reed & Nico appears to be a nostalgic recollection of a romantic experience the singer had with a significant other in Berlin, Germany. The lyrics describe a small café where they could hear guitars play, and they enjoyed candlelight and Dubonnet on ice. The singer also describes the height of their partner, who was "five foot ten inches tall," and mentions hiring a veterinarian who "hasn't had much fun yet." The chorus reveals a feeling of regret and the recognition that the singer was wrong about something, causing their partner to leave. They express missing their partner and a hope for one sweet day of reuniting.
In interpretation, the song portrays a mix of emotions such as nostalgia, romance, regret, and melancholy. The specific details the singer gives about their partner's height and mentioning hiring a veterinarian lend to the song's authenticity and a real-life experience. The performance itself invokes an atmosphere of trance and dreamy emotions, with the music backing up the lyrics.
Line by Line Meaning
In Berlin, by the wall
The scene is set in Berlin, near the wall that separated the city into two.
You were five foot ten inches tall
The singer is describing the height of their companion, who was tall and prominent.
It was very nice
The atmosphere was pleasant and enjoyable.
Candlelight and Dubonnet on ice
The drinks served were Dubonnet on ice, accompanied by candlelight, giving the scene a romantic vibe.
We were in a small cafe
The two were in a quaint coffee shop.
You could hear the guitars play
The singer could hear the sound of guitar playing in the background.
It was very nice
The experience of listening to guitar music in the company of someone special was very pleasant.
It was paradise
The moment spent together in the lovely environment was reminiscent of paradise, perfect and memorable.
You're right and I'm wrong
The artist concedes to their companion that they were right and the artist was wrong about something.
Hey babe, I'm gonna miss you now that you're gone
The artist expresses regret that their companion is no longer with them, indicating missed opportunities to be together.
One sweet day
The singer is hopeful that they will be able to reunite with their companion one day.
Oh, you're right and I'm wrong
Another admission from the artist that their companion was correct and the artist was wrong.
You know I'm gonna miss you now that you're gone
The singer repeats their regret that their companion is no longer present, and they will miss each other.
One sweet day
The singer reiterates their hopefulness for a reunion in the future.
In a small, small cafe
The setting is again described - a tiny cafe.
We could hear the guitars play
The presence of guitar music is again mentioned.
Don't forget, hire the vet
A reminder to hire the veterinarian for some purpose, perhaps regarding the artist's pet or animal of some sort.
He hasn't had much fun yet
The veterinarian has not had a great time, and the singer wants to ensure that they enjoy themselves.
It was very nice
Another mention of a pleasant experience in the café.
Hey honey, it was paradise
Another reference to the café imbuing an aura of paradise or perfection.
One sweet day
The final line of the song repeats the theme of hopefulness for a reunion in the future.
One sweet day, oh, one sweet day
A continuation of the hopeful sentiment of the previous line.
One sweet day, baby, baby, one sweet day ...
A final repetition of the idea that the singer wishes to be reunited with their companion someday.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: LOU REED
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind