Istanbul
Jakil Lyrics

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You make it look easy,
Spill a little love on the floor
City turned hazy,
Must be how you fell through the door

You got me thinkin' of the time
That night in Istanbul
Balcony, the room and the rug

STAY FOR THE NIGHT,
But when I wake up, you better be GONE!

Princess, don't love me that way, uuuh
Princess, don't love me that way, uuuh

Give it straight,
Tell me lies and tell me some more
Beyond that nothing really LEFT TO EXPLORE

You just got me thinkin' of the time
That night in Istanbul
Silky streets, bazaar in the sun
YOU CAN STAY FOR THE NIGHT,
But when I wake up, you better be GONE!

Princess, don't love me that way, uuuh
Princess, don't love me that way, uuuh

I'm just a touch, clutch, thrust on a rainy day
Sun seems so far away (seems so far)
I'm just a touch, clutch, thrust on a rainy day
The heat feels so far away (feels so far)

Princess, don't love me that way!
Princess, don't love me that way!
She doesn't want me,
She doesn't need me
She doesn't want me,
She doesn't need me
She doesn't want me,
She doesn't need me
She doesn't want me,
She doesn't need me
She doesn't want me,
She doesn't need me

Princess, don't love me that way!
Princess, don't love me that way!

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Jakil's song Istanbul tell a story of a passionate but fleeting romance in the city of Istanbul. The song captures the essence of the city with its references to the hazy city streets, bazaars, and silky streets. The singer reminisces about a night spent with a woman who he met in Istanbul. The lyrics evoke an image of two people getting lost in the city, enjoying the sights and each other's company. However, the singer knows that the romance is short-lived, and the woman will eventually leave him. He warns her not to love him in that way, knowing that their relationship must end.

The lyrics have a dreamy quality to them, which is enhanced by the melody and the instrumentation. The use of the words "touch, clutch, thrust" creates a sensual feel, suggesting that their love-making was intense and passionate. The chorus repeats the warning to the woman, emphasizing the singer's reluctance to commit himself to anything deeper than a casual fling. The song's melancholic mood is conveyed by the singer's realization that what they had is already gone, and he is left with nothing but memories of the night in Istanbul.

Line by Line Meaning

You make it look easy, Spill a little love on the floor City turned hazy, Must be how you fell through the door
Jakil marvels at the ease with which his lover carries herself and the love she exudes. The city seems to be affected by her charm, and he wonders if it was the same magic that made her stumble into his life so effortlessly.

You got me thinkin' of the time That night in Istanbul Balcony, the room and the rug STAY FOR THE NIGHT, But when I wake up, you better be GONE!
Jakil reminisces about a night spent in Istanbul with his lover with the beautiful balcony, room, and rug. He implores her to stay for the night but warns her to leave before he wakes up.

Princess, don't love me that way, uuuh Princess, don't love me that way, uuuh
Jakil beseeches his lover to not love him the way she does, indicating perhaps that he is not ready for the intensity of her emotions.

Give it straight, Tell me lies and tell me some more Beyond that nothing really LEFT TO EXPLORE
Jakil is asking his lover to be honest with him, even if it means telling him more lies. He believes that everything else is settled, and there is nothing left to explore.

You just got me thinkin' of the time That night in Istanbul Silky streets, bazaar in the sun YOU CAN STAY FOR THE NIGHT, But when I wake up, you better be GONE!
Jakil again recalls their time in Istanbul, specifically a stroll down its silky streets and its bustling bazaar. He again asks his lover to stay for the night but insists that she must leave before he wakes up.

I'm just a touch, clutch, thrust on a rainy day Sun seems so far away (seems so far) I'm just a touch, clutch, thrust on a rainy day The heat feels so far away (feels so far)
Jakil feels insignificant merely being a touch, clutch, and thrust on a rainy day when the sun and heat seem so far away. He may be alluding to his own feelings of inadequacy in the relationship.

Princess, don't love me that way! Princess, don't love me that way! She doesn't want me, She doesn't need me She doesn't want me, She doesn't need me She doesn't want me, She doesn't need me She doesn't want me, She doesn't need me She doesn't want me, She doesn't need me Princess, don't love me that way! Princess, don't love me that way!
Jakil repeats his earlier plea to his lover, begging her not to love him as she does. He also expresses self-doubt by stating that she neither wants nor needs him in her life.

Contributed by Blake H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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