Some Cities
Doves Lyrics


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I think I might have met you before,
I think its time to settle the score,
Buildings how they stretch so tall,
Steal and brick no more,
No, no.
Can I make you see.

Id sooner just wreck em down,
Never build on broads of ground,
Rows that came together,
Memory never severs, love will never sever for me.

Can't I make you see.

Some cities crush,some cities heal,
Some cities laugh while other cities steal,
Can I make you see,can I make you

Can I, can I make you see,
Can I make you

Some cities,




Some cities crush,Some cities crush
Some cities.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Doves' song Some Cities seem to describe a longing for redemption and a desire to correct past mistakes. The repetition of the phrase "Can I make you see" indicates a frustrated attempt to communicate and be understood. The first verse, with its images of tall buildings made of steel and brick, suggests an urban landscape and perhaps the overwhelming feeling of being lost in a city. The second verse takes a turn towards more figurative language, with mention of "wrecking" and "building on broads of ground" possibly referring to a need to tear down old ideas and beliefs in order to start fresh.


The chorus brings the focus back to the idea of different cities having different effects on people, with some crushing and others healing. This could be seen as a metaphor for the various experiences we have in life and how they shape us. The final repetition of "Some cities" leaves the listener with an open-ended question, as if the singer is still grappling with the complexities of life and the world around them.


Overall, the lyrics to Some Cities are open to interpretation and could be seen as a commentary on the state of modern society, the need for change, and the search for connection and meaning.


Line by Line Meaning

I think I might have met you before,
The singer suspects that he and the subject may have crossed paths in the past.


I think its time to settle the score,
It seems like an opportune time for the singer to address any grievances between himself and the subject.


Buildings how they stretch so tall,
The singer marvels at the height of the buildings surrounding him.


Steal and brick no more,
He lets out a sigh and muses about the absence of antique architectural styles in the buildings compared to modern construction materials.


No, no.
The singer expresses a tinge of sadness.


Can I make you see.
With the use of the second person, the singer tries to persuade the subject to share his vision of the world.


Id sooner just wreck em down,
The singer suggests he would prefer if the modern buildings were destroyed.


Never build on broads of ground,
He advocates for the avoidance of building on leveled earth.


Rows that came together,
The singer recalls gentle moments.


Memory never severs, love will never sever for me.
Despite bad times, he refuses to forget the love that he had.


Can't I make you see.
The singer seeks validation from the subject about the relevance of his perspective.


Some cities crush,some cities heal,
He compares cities and their effect on people to illustrate how different a place can feel for different people.


Some cities laugh while other cities steal,
Not all cities are the same - some are peaceful, while others are riddled with crime.


Can I make you see,can I make you
He reiterates his wish for the subject to share his viewpoint.


Can I, can I make you see,
He repeats his question yet again, reminding the listener of his urgency.


Can I make you
The song ends with the singer still attempting to persuade the subject of the worthiness of his perception.


Some cities,
The idea that different places have different personalities comes full circle, as the singer reflects on the timeless and irreplaceable individuality of every city.


Some cities crush,Some cities crush
The conclusion is repeated twice for emphasis, with the singer reminding us that not all cities behave the same way.




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ANDY WILLIAMS, JEZ WILLIAMS, JIMI GOODWIN

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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