boulevard of broken dreams
Leslie Cheung(張國榮) Lyrics

In Leslie Cheung's song "Boulevard of Broken Dreams," the lyrics tell a story of a place filled with sorrow and shattered dreams. The boulevard symbolizes a street where people with broken dreams, such as gigolos and gigolettes (both male and female prostitutes), roam. They are able to engage in fleeting, emotionless encounters without any regrets, as they try to forget the dreams that did not come true.

The lyrics highlight the contrast between laughter and tears, with individuals experiencing short-lived happiness tonight followed by sorrow and disappointment tomorrow. The shattered schemes and broken dreams represent the failed aspirations and hopes that haunt these individuals. They wake up to find their eyes wet with tears, a clear reminder of the disappointments they face.

The lines "Here is where you'll always find me, always walking up and down," suggest a feeling of aimlessness and despair. The singer has lost their sense of self and has left their soul behind in an old cathedral town, signifying a spiritual emptiness or lack of fulfillment. Despite this, the boulevard remains a place where people temporarily find joy, but they cannot hold onto it for long.

The reference to gigolos and gigolettes singing a song and dancing along the boulevard signifies a sense of resilience and the ability to put on a facade of happiness and enjoyment even in the face of broken dreams. They continue to perform and entertain, trying to find solace or distraction in their transient moments of pleasure. The repetition of the line "The joy you find here you borrow, you cannot keep it long it seems" emphasizes the fleeting nature of happiness and how it eludes those on the boulevard.

Overall, "Boulevard of Broken Dreams" explores the themes of lost dreams, temporary happiness, and the struggle to maintain positivity in the face of disappointment. The song captures the melancholic atmosphere of a place where broken individuals seek solace but are ultimately unable to escape their reality. Leslie Cheung's compelling interpretation adds an additional layer of emotional depth to the lyrics.