West Side Story
Chita Rivera & Girls Lyrics


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UPON A COUCH YOU SIT ALONE - A WHISKEY BOTTLE AND THE TV SET IS ON
WHILE EVERYONE ELSE ARE HIDING AWAY
YOU THINK OF TIMES WHEN YOU WERE COLD
BUT THEN AGAIN YOU NEVER DO WHAT YOURE TOLD
YOURE WASTING EVERY SINGLE DAY (as if there was no other way)
FIVE - SIX - SEVEN- EIGHT TIMES IN HELL
ELEVEN OR TWELVE TIMES UNDER THE SPELL
I THINK ITS ABOUT TIME YOU TRIED HEAVEN AS WELL
YOU SEE THE LIGHTS AND HEAR THE SOUND
BUT THERE IS NOONE ELSE SITTING AROUND
TO CARE WHAT YOU HAVE TO SAY
YOU HAVENT SEEN A SINGLE SOUL
YOU WONDER WILL THIS LAST UNTIL IM OLD
AND SLOWLY SLOWLY FADING TO GRAY
FIVE - SIX - SEVEN - EIGHT TIMES IN HELL




ELEVEN OR TWELVE TIMES UNDER THE SPELL
I THINK ITS ABOUT TIME YOU TRIED HEAVEN AS WELL

Overall Meaning

These lyrics depict a lonely and desolate scene where the singer is sitting alone on a couch. The mention of a whiskey bottle and the TV set being on suggests that they are seeking solace or distraction from their loneliness. Meanwhile, everyone else is hiding away, implying a sense of isolation and detachment from others.


The line "you think of times when you were cold" implies that the singer has experienced hardship or emotional coldness in the past. However, they also have a rebellious nature, as they never do what they are told, indicating a resistance to conforming to societal norms or expectations.


The lyrics suggest that the singer is wasting their days, perhaps by succumbing to negative habits or behaviors that don't contribute to their well-being. The repetition of the counting pattern ("five-six-seven-eight") emphasizes the sense of being trapped or stuck in a cycle of negativity.


The mention of trying heaven as well implies that the singer has been immersed in some form of hellish existence. They see the lights and hear the sound, but there is no one else around to care or listen to what they have to say. This reinforces their loneliness and isolation.


The mention of not having seen a single soul and wondering if this loneliness will persist until they are old suggests a fear of a future without connection or companionship. The line "slowly slowly fading to gray" metaphorically represents the singer's fading hope and vitality.


Overall, these lyrics paint a picture of a person trapped in a lonely and unfulfilling existence, seeking escape or relief from their circumstances. It conveys a sense of longing for connection, for someone to listen and care, as well as a desire for a more positive and fulfilling existence, symbolized by the idea of trying heaven.


Line by Line Meaning

UPON A COUCH YOU SIT ALONE
You find yourself sitting alone on a couch.


A WHISKEY BOTTLE AND THE TV SET IS ON
Next to you is a whiskey bottle and the TV is playing.


WHILE EVERYONE ELSE ARE HIDING AWAY
While everyone else is seeking refuge elsewhere.


YOU THINK OF TIMES WHEN YOU WERE COLD
You reminisce about moments when you felt lonely and neglected.


BUT THEN AGAIN YOU NEVER DO WHAT YOURE TOLD
However, you have always been rebellious and refuse to follow instructions.


YOURE WASTING EVERY SINGLE DAY (as if there was no other way)
You're spending each day aimlessly, as if there were no alternative.


FIVE - SIX - SEVEN- EIGHT TIMES IN HELL
You have experienced suffering and hardship repeatedly.


ELEVEN OR TWELVE TIMES UNDER THE SPELL
You have been entranced or influenced multiple times.


I THINK ITS ABOUT TIME YOU TRIED HEAVEN AS WELL
Perhaps it is time for you to explore happiness and joy.


YOU SEE THE LIGHTS AND HEAR THE SOUND
You notice the brightness and hear the noise around you.


BUT THERE IS NOONE ELSE SITTING AROUND
However, there is no one else present, just emptiness.


TO CARE WHAT YOU HAVE TO SAY
There is no one who truly cares about your thoughts and opinions.


YOU HAVENT SEEN A SINGLE SOUL
You haven't encountered any other individuals.


YOU WONDER WILL THIS LAST UNTIL IM OLD
You question if this emptiness will persist until you grow old.


AND SLOWLY SLOWLY FADING TO GRAY
You are gradually losing vibrancy and becoming dull.


FIVE - SIX - SEVEN - EIGHT TIMES IN HELL
You have endured suffering repeatedly.


ELEVEN OR TWELVE TIMES UNDER THE SPELL
You have been under the influence or control numerous times.


I THINK ITS ABOUT TIME YOU TRIED HEAVEN AS WELL
It may be beneficial for you to seek happiness and contentment.




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Bjørn Müller, Petter Baarli

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@Chishannicon

She's such a legend. Loved the part about everything being alive, even clothes, and how her skirt helped her remember the choreography.

@kittykate314

What a wonderful interview. I enjoyed that. 🥰

@frogmouth

Very appreciative

@-luzplaz-9656

I love this movie

@treesny

Great. But you do know that Chita Rivera played Anita in the original Broadway production, not in the first (Robert Wise) film, where the part was taken by Rita Moreno?

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