Lament
Madonna & Jonathan Pryce Lyrics
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I could have any prize that I desired
I could burn with the splendor of the brightest fire
Or else, or else I could choose time
Remember I was very young then
And a year was forever and a day
So what use could fifty, sixty, seventy be?
And how I lived, how they shone
But how soon the lights were gone
The choice was yours and noone else's
You can cry for a body in despair
Hang your head because she is no longer there
To shine, to dazzle, or betray
How she lived, how she shone
But how soon the lights were gone
Eyes, hair, face, image
All must be preserved
Still life displayed forever
No less than she deserved.
The song "Lament" by Madonna and Jonathan Pryce tells about the fleeting nature of fame and the choices that people make in life. Madonna sings from the perspective of a young woman who had the opportunity to choose between fame and time. She could have had everything that she desired, the brightest fire, but she chose time. However, despite choosing time, she saw the lights of fame and went on her way. The lights shone bright for her but soon enough they disappeared, leaving her with the memories of how she lived and how they shone in the past.
Jonathan Pryce then sings from another perspective, where someone else's choice was taken away from them. This person had a body in despair, a woman who was no longer there to shine, dazzle, or betray. The person had to preserve her eyes, hair, face, and image in still life forever, as that is what she deserved. The lyrics reflect on how fame is not permanent and how it can be taken away at any time, leaving people only with memories and regrets.
Overall, "Lament" is a melancholic song that reflects on the fleeting nature of fame and the choices that people make in life. The lyrics remind listeners that fame is not permanent and can be taken away at any time, leaving people only with memories and regrets.
Line by Line Meaning
The choice was mine, and mine completely
I had complete control over the choice I made
I could have any prize that I desired
I had the ability to obtain anything I wanted
I could burn with the splendor of the brightest fire
I could achieve great accomplishments and shine brightly
Or else, or else I could choose time
Alternatively, I could choose to take my time with my decisions
Remember I was very young then
At the time, I was very young and inexperienced
And a year was forever and a day
Time seemed to pass much slower and have greater significance then
So what use could fifty, sixty, seventy be?
Old age seemed like it would have no value or purpose
I saw the lights, and I was on my way
I was drawn to the excitement and glamour of fame and success
And how I lived, how they shone
I lived a glamorous life and shone brightly
But how soon the lights were gone
However, my fame and success didn't last very long
The choice was yours and noone else's
You alone are responsible for the choices you make
You can cry for a body in despair
It's okay to grieve and feel sorrow for someone who is no longer there
Hang your head because she is no longer there
It's natural to feel sad and mournful when someone you looked up to is gone
To shine, to dazzle, or betray
People may aim to shine and impress others, but may also be willing to betray for success
How she lived, how she shone
The person being talked about lived a glamorous and impressive life
But how soon the lights were gone
Unfortunately, their success and fame didn't last very long
Eyes, hair, face, image
These are all physical attributes that people may obsess over in order to preserve their image
All must be preserved
People may go to great lengths to maintain a certain image and prevent the aging process
Still life displayed forever
The preserved image may be displayed and admired for eternity
No less than she deserved.
The person in question deserves at least this level of recognition for their efforts
Lyrics © DistroKid, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER, TIM RICE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Zeth Guilford
Great song