Mona
David & The Citizens Lyrics


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Mona Lisa lost her smile
The painter's hands are trembling now
And if she's out there running wild
It's just because I taught her how

The masterpiece that we had planned
Is laying shattered on the ground
Mona Lisa lost her smile
And the painter's hands are trembling now

And the eyes that used to burn for me
Now they no longer look my way
And the love that used to be
Why, it just got lost in yesterday

And if she seems cold to the touch
Well, there used to burn a flame
I gave too little, took too much
Till I erased the painter's name

Mona Lisa lost her smile
The painter's hands are trembling now
And if she's out there running wild
It's just because I taught her how

The masterpiece that we had planned
Is laying shattered on the ground
Mona Lisa lost her smile
And the painter's hands are trembling now

Mona Lisa lost her smile
And the painter's hands are trembling now
And if she's out there running wild
It's just because I taught her how

And the masterpiece that we had planned
It's laying shattered on the ground




Mona Lisa lost her smile
And the painter's hands are trembling now

Overall Meaning

The song "Mona" by David & The Citizens tells the story of a relationship that has fallen apart. The singer compares the woman he once knew to the famous Mona Lisa painting, saying that she has lost her smile and the painter's hands are trembling now. He blames himself for her current state, saying that if she's out there running wild, it's because he taught her how. The "masterpiece" they had planned together is now "laying shattered on the ground." He laments that her eyes no longer "burn" for him and the love that was once there has been lost in the past. He realizes he took too much and gave too little until he "erased the painter's name." In the end, Mona Lisa has lost her smile, and the painter's hands are trembling now.


The lyrics of the song have been interpreted in several different ways, and the narrative is often seen as a metaphorical one. The Mona Lisa painting itself is known for its enigmatic smile, which has led to many interpretations over the years. The song could be seen as a lament for a lost relationship that once had potential, but due to the singer's mistakes and missteps, it has been destroyed. It could also be interpreted as a commentary on art and artists, and how they can be swept up in their own egos and desires until their work is meaningless.


Line by Line Meaning

Mona Lisa lost her smile
The subject of the painting, Mona Lisa, is no longer displaying her iconic smile.


The painter's hands are trembling now
The artist who painted Mona Lisa is now experiencing fear, nervousness or possibly sadness.


And if she's out there running wild
If Mona Lisa is causing chaos or acting unpredictably,


It's just because I taught her how
it's only because the singer influenced her to do so.


The masterpiece that we had planned
The artwork the singer and Mona Lisa had intended to create was supposed to be exceptional.


Is laying shattered on the ground
It has been destroyed and is no longer a masterpiece.


And the eyes that used to burn for me
The passion somebody once had for the singer is no longer present.


Now they no longer look my way
They are no longer interested in the singer or their relationship.


And the love that used to be
The love the singer and their partner had once shared


Why, it just got lost in yesterday
has vanished and forgotten about in the past.


And if she seems cold to the touch
If Mona Lisa appears to be distant or unfeeling,


Well, there used to burn a flame
Her feelings for the singer were once strong and ardent.


I gave too little, took too much
The singer took advantage of Mona Lisa and gave little in return.


Till I erased the painter's name
To the point where the artist's legacy was compromised because of their involvement.




Lyrics © CAPITOL CHRISTIAN MUSIC GROUP, Universal Music Publishing Group, Capitol CMG Publishing
Written by: JOHN COLLINS CUNNINGHAM

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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