Berlin
Lou Reed- John Cale Lyrics
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Oh, thank you
This next song, we're gonna make believe
We're in, uh, Casablanca
And I'm Humphrey Bogart, and this is what I'm gonna sing to Lauren Bacall
And it's called Berlin
By Berlin, by the wall
It was oh-so nice
Hey honey, it was candlelight and Dubonnet on ice
We were in a small cafe
And you could hear the guitars play
It was oh-so nice
Hey baby, it was, uh, paradise
You're right, woah, and I'm wrong
You know I'm going to miss you now that you're gone
One sweet day
You're right, woah, and I'm wrong
You know I'm going to miss you now that you're gone
One sweet day
One sweet day
We were in a small cafe
You could hear the guitars play
It was oh-so nice
Candlelight and Dubonnet on ice
Don't you forget, hire a vet
He hasn't had that much fun yet
It was oh-so nice
Hey honey, it was paradise
You're right and I'm wrong
You know I'm going to miss you now that you're gone
One sweet day
You're right, woah, and I'm wrong
You know I'm going to miss you now that you're gone
One sweet day
Oh, oh, one sweet day
One sweet day, one sweet day
One sweet day, baby, baby, one sweet day
One sweet day, baby, baby, one sweet day
Baby, baby, one sweet day
The song "Berlin" by Lou Reed is an interesting tune with an enigmatic meaning behind its lyrics. The track was released in 1973 as a part of the album also titled "Berlin." The song starts with Lou Reed's announcement of how he is going to make the audience pretend they are somewhere else, somewhere fancy, somewhere that never took place. He then introduces the Song "Berlin" by singing about a beautiful memory, his fond recollection of being with someone he loves.
The song is written in a nostalgic and reflective tone, with Lou Reed talking about a brief moment of love, friends, and drinks in Berlin. The lyrics "By Berlin, by the wall / You were five foot, ten inches tall / It was oh-so nice / Hey honey, it was candlelight and Dubonnet on ice" paint a picture of a beautiful romantic evening in Berlin. The mention of Dubonnet indicates the fact that the characters in the song were wealthy and could afford luxurious drinks.
As the song progresses, Lou Reed expresses regret about the way things went between them, indicating that he was wrong and his partner was right. The lines "You're right, woah, and I'm wrong / You know I'm going to miss you now that you're gone / One sweet day" signify the sadness and longing for someone who has gone away.
Overall, Lou Reed's "Berlin" is a nostalgic ode to love and luxury, with a bittersweet undertone reflecting on the loss of someone. The song portrays a beautiful memory of a time and place that the artist can never go back to.
Line by Line Meaning
By Berlin, by the wall
The setting of this song is Berlin near the wall.
You were five foot, ten inches tall
You were of average height and nothing special.
It was oh-so nice
The moment was pleasant and enjoyable.
Hey honey, it was candlelight and Dubonnet on ice
The scene was romantic, lit by candlelight, and with a drink served on ice.
We were in a small cafe
The setting was a cozy and intimate establishment.
And you could hear the guitars play
Live music was being performed in the background.
Hey baby, it was, uh, paradise
The feeling of bliss and happiness was present and shared.
You're right, woah, and I'm wrong
You are correct and I am not agreeing with you.
You know I'm going to miss you now that you're gone
I will feel the loss of your presence now that you are no longer here.
One sweet day
Someday in the future, the hope is for a positive outcome.
Don't you forget, hire a vet
Don't forget to employ a veteran who hasn't had the opportunity to have fun.
It was oh-so nice
Once again, the situation was pleasurable and joyful.
Hey honey, it was paradise
The feeling of paradise is referred to once more, indicating the greatness of this experience.
Oh, oh, one sweet day
Repeating and emphasizing the hope expressed earlier in the song.
One sweet day, one sweet day
The desire for a positive outcome is reinforced and repeated.
Baby, baby, one sweet day
This message is directed towards an individual (or many) in the context of the song.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Lou Reed
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@brucemacmillan9581
My dad played piano on the studio recording of Berlin. Also did the string and horn arrangements for the album.
@kanjiwooowooo3202
That's amazing
@kahnlives
You expect us to believe that🤨
@brucemacmillan9581
@@kahnlives My father is Allan Macmillan. Check out the credits on the album and you'll see that he's the pianist on the title track and also did the string and horn arrangements for other tracks on the album. He worked with the producer, Bob Ezrin, on several album projects, including Alice Cooper records. I also worked, for a brief period, at the studio he ran in Toronto - Nimbus 9/Soundstage - with his partners, producer Jack Richardson and Peter Clayton. Whether you choose to believe he's my father is your business. But it won't change the fact that he is.
@kahnlives
@@brucemacmillan9581 The VU a one of a kind band, I’m impressed. You’re father sounds like an amazing guy!
@brucemacmillan9581
@@kahnlives My dad wasn't involved with The VU. He worked with Lou after he went solo. And just on the one album.
@kahnlives
John Cales piano playing is phenomenal in this clip, truly amazing.
@CarnivalofLVX
This is the best performance I’ve ever seen. And this version of Berlin is by far the best. Beautiful
@lelandthomosoniii4743
He's reading
Urban Poetry!
@annamonaco5959
amassed by performance but sound too!