One of his projects is the supergroup The Good, The Bad & The Queen, where he plays the keyboard and sings. Other members of the band are Paul Simonon (bass, The Clash), Simon Tong (guitar, The Verve) and Tony Allen (drums, percussion). Their album (released in early 2007) is produced by DJ Danger Mouse (producer of Gorillaz album "Demon Days", member of Gnarls Barkley).
The Marvelous Dream Songfacts says that another of his projects is Dr Dee, an opera created by Albarn with theatre director Rufus Norris. The work is based on the life of Dr. John Dee (1527-1608), an Elizabethan courtier who was also a mathematician, alchemist, astrologer, spiritualist, philosopher and spy. The opera’s debut performance was at the Palace Theatre, Manchester in July 2011, as part of the 2011 Manchester International Festival. The soundtrack was released on May 8, 2012 by Virgin.
Years active : 1989–present
The Tower Of Montevideo
Damon Albarn Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Has many rooms
Some of them are empty
Since I left you (since I left you)
Standing in silhouette
By the long window
Drinking coffee
And scrutinized by the black cat
As the hours slide off the page
Like clouds somewhere else
In the Tower of Montevideo
Once there was cinema
And we had parties
And the light at the top of the tower could reach
Argentina (since I left you)
Where they talk behind doors of new worlds
And faraway places
And the portrait of the artist
Was kept down in the basement
In the Tower of Montevideo
The Tower of Montevideo
I can hear music
I can hear footsteps
Ghost of the empty room
Montevideo
In the Tower of Montevideo
"The Tower of Montevideo" is a song by Damon Albarn, and the lyrics depict a sense of longing, nostalgia, and the passing of time. The song seems to explore the concept of a physical and metaphorical tower, representing a place of memories and emotional connection.
The first verse speaks of the tower having many rooms, some of which are now empty since the singer left someone behind. The image of that person standing in silhouette by the long window, drinking coffee, and being scrutinized by a black cat, evokes a sense of loneliness and longing. The black cat lying on the day bed and abandoning the world symbolizes a disconnect or resignation from reality. The hours sliding off the page like clouds somewhere else further emphasizes the passage of time and the feeling of being far away from the present moment.
The second verse delves into the nostalgia of the past. The mention of cinema and parties suggests a time of joy and celebration, but now, since the singer left, it feels like the light at the top of the tower can only reach Argentina metaphorically. This line implies a sense of distance and separation between the singer and the world they once knew. The reference to people talking behind doors of new worlds and faraway places hints at a desire for exploration and escape. The portrait of the artist being kept in the basement represents the repression of creativity or the loss of artistic expression in this metaphorical tower.
In the final verse, the presence of music and footsteps suggests that echoes of the past still linger in the tower, even in deserted rooms. The mention of Montevideo serves as a reminder of the specific location, amplifying the longing and nostalgia for a particular time and place. The repetition of the tower's name at the end of each verse gives weight and significance to the phrase, emphasizing its importance as a symbol of memories, both positive and bittersweet.
Overall, "The Tower of Montevideo" explores themes of longing, nostalgia, and the passage of time. It portrays a sense of emotional disconnection and distance, while also capturing the enduring presence of memories and the universal human need for connection and belonging.
Line by Line Meaning
The Tower of Montevideo
The metaphorical representation of a place called Montevideo, which holds significance in the songwriter's life
Has many rooms
Montevideo comprises various aspects or experiences
Some of them are empty
Certain parts or memories of Montevideo hold no significance or are devoid of emotions
Since I left you (since I left you)
After the songwriter's departure or separation from someone
Standing in silhouette
Being in a shadowy figure or state of existence
By the long window
Positioned next to a lengthy window
Drinking coffee
Engaging in the act of consuming coffee
And scrutinized by the black cat
Subjected to intense observation or examination by a black cat
Who lies on the day bed and abandons the world
The black cat, while lying on a bed during the day, detaches itself from the surroundings
As the hours slide off the page
The passing of time depicted as hours slipping away from a page
Like clouds somewhere else
Similar to clouds drifting elsewhere, detached or distant from the current scene
Once there was cinema
In the past, the presence of a cinematic experience
And we had parties
The occurrence of social gatherings or celebrations between the songwriter and others
And the light at the top of the tower could reach
The illumination from the tower's highest point could extend or influence
Argentina (since I left you)
The reference to Argentina, likely representing a place where connections or emotions were severed since the departure
Where they talk behind doors of new worlds
In Argentina, discussions or conversations often involve exploring unexplored realms or possibilities
And faraway places
Additionally, these conversations touch upon distant locations
And the portrait of the artist
A depiction or representation of a creative individual
Was kept down in the basement
The portrait of the artist was hidden or confined in the lowest part of the tower
I can hear music
The songwriter perceives or senses the presence of music
I can hear footsteps
Audible sounds indicating the movement or presence of someone nearby
Ghost of the empty room
A spectral essence associated with an unoccupied space
Montevideo
The repeated mention of Montevideo, like a refrain, emphasizing its significance in the songwriter's thoughts
In the Tower of Montevideo
Reiterating the connection of the previous lines to the metaphorical Tower of Montevideo
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Damon Albarn, Michael Smith, Simon Tong
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@maria.m_pe
When you played this song yesterday night here in Montevideo and told us the story behind it, you made me feel really lucky to have you here again !
You`re always welcome in Uruguay. Last night show with Gorillaz was a blast ! 😍
@Antielixir
What's the story?
@santiagoc.petrini616
Contala dale 👀
@BurnRoddy
@@Antielixir Short story: Old Neo Barroche building ridden with free masonry symbols built at the tail end of La Belle Epoche in a first world Uruguay of yester yore that today is but a distant memmory where multiple and significant events and people with their storirs left their ethreal mark in some way and over time the building became a symbol of the melancholy of the country but particularily the city itself and a few ghost stories surfaced.
@235T1NGR4Y23
Definitely my favorite off the album so far. The way the sax and guitar play with each other is incredible. Also love how the vocals are softer/more whispery on this studio version.
@zombiehiphop23
Thanks for this song. Greetings from Uruguay!!!! 🇺🇾🇺🇾🇺🇾🙌
@Mai-fn8kq
No puedo creer que Damon le haya dedicado una canción a mi país ❤
@marper0189
mas bien esta dedicada al palacio salvo....
@Mai-fn8kq
@@marper0189 Ya sabía eso. A lo que me refiero es que esta inspirada en un lugar de Uruguay, ahí te gusta mas?
@valr.2363
Ni yo