Paris Paris
Malcolm McLaren Lyrics


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I feel love, Paris Paris
Love to love, Paris Paris
Feelings so close to my heart

Barman dans le shaker, d'abord de l'élégance
Un trait de Sacré-Coeur et deux doight de Doisneau
Une Piaf, quelques moineaux et Joséphine Baker...
Là une de Prévert, mais sans raton-laveur
Prenons un dernier verre pres Bateau lavoir
Une Sinone de Beauvoir et deux singes en hiver...
Last night was made for love

Mettez trois notes de jazz dans un quatier latin
Un menu sur l'ardoise un fond d'un bar-tabac
Et la résille d'un bas sur un genou qu on croise

Oh Baby, just take my frozen hands and hear me say
Don't let me turn to sand and blow away
Though this crowded desert called Paris

I feel love, Paris Paris
Love to love, Paris Paris
Feelings so close to my heart

Un zeste de Javanaise, un tour de
Moulin Rouge et deux de Notre-Dame
Nappé de macadam, décoré d'un chaland
D'Anvers ou d'Amsterdam un canal, Arletty

Oh Baby, just hold this lonely fan and hear him say
Don't let me turn to sand and blow away
Though this crowded desert called Paris
Sans doute la seule femme qui pouvait dire
"Paname"

I feel love, Paris Paris
Love to love, Paris Paris
Feelings so close to my heart

Mettez trois notes de jazz dans un quatier latin
Un menu sur l'ardoise un fond d'un bar-tabac
Et la résille d'un bas sur un genou qu on croise

I feel love, Paris Paris
Love to love, Paris Paris
Feelings so close to my heart





Saupoudrez, pour finir, de poussière do métro
Mais n'en prenez pas trop, Paris perdrait son âme

Overall Meaning

The song "Paris Paris" by Malcolm McLaren is a whimsical tribute to the city of Paris. The opening lyrics "I feel love, Paris Paris, love to love, Paris Paris, feelings so close to my heart" express the artist's immediate affection and attachment to the city. He uses various references to Parisian culture and landmarks throughout the song. For example, the line "Barman dans le shaker, d'abord de l'élégance" refers to the elegance and sophistication of Parisian bartenders. The lines "Un trait de Sacré-Coeur et deux doigt de Doisneau, une Piaf, quelques moineaux et Joséphine Baker" reference the famous landmarks and cultural icons of Paris including the Sacré-Coeur Basilica, photographer Robert Doisneau, and famous performers like Edith Piaf and Josephine Baker.


The song goes on to mention various other Parisian icons including Jacques Prevert, the famous writer and poet, and Simone de Beauvoir, the philosopher and writer. The lines "Un zeste de Javanaise, un tour de Moulin Rouge et deux de Notre-Dame, nappe de macadam, décoré d'un chaland d'Anvers ou d'Amsterdam un canal, Arletty" reference different aspects of Parisian culture including the Moulin Rouge and Notre-Dame Cathedral.


The chorus of the song repeats twice, emphasizing the artist's love for Paris and the way the city is close to his heart. The final lines of the song "Saupoudrez, pour finir, de poussière do métro, mais n'en prenez pas trop, Paris perdrait son âme" provide a warning against taking too much of the city's essence, lest it lose its soul.


Line by Line Meaning

I feel love, Paris Paris
The artist is expressing their deep love and admiration for Paris.


Love to love, Paris Paris
The artist has a strong desire to express their love in Paris.


Feelings so close to my heart
The artist's love for Paris is a deeply personal and emotional connection.


Barman dans le shaker, d'abord de l'élégance
The artist envisions a sophisticated Parisian bartender mixing elegance into their drinks.


Un trait de Sacré-Coeur et deux doight de Doisneau
The artist describes the creation of a representation of Paris through images of the Sacré-Coeur basilica and Robert Doisneau's photography.


Une Piaf, quelques moineaux et Joséphine Baker...
The artist sees Paris as a place that pays tribute to its famous music icons, such as Edith Piaf and Josephine Baker.


Là une de Prévert, mais sans raton-laveur
The artist appreciates the poetry of Jacques Prévert, but without the stereotypical portrayals of Paris, like a raccoon-wearing character.


Prenons un dernier verre pres Bateau lavoir
The artist invites the listener to have one last drink by the Seine River and the historic Bateau Lavoir artistic hub in Montmartre.


Une Sinone de Beauvoir et deux singes en hiver...
The artist references Simone de Beauvoir's feminist philosophy and the 1962 movie 'Two Women in the Snow' as important cultural symbols of Paris.


Last night was made for love
The artist suggests that Paris is a place that can set the mood for a romantic evening.


Mettez trois notes de jazz dans un quatier latin
The artist evokes the image of jazz notes playing in the Latin Quarter of Paris, creating an exotic musical atmosphere.


Un menu sur l'ardoise un fond d'un bar-tabac
The artist describes the simple pleasures of Paris, such as a chalkboard menu in a small tobacco bar.


Et la résille d'un bas sur un genou qu on croise
The artist appreciates the chic yet subtle fashion of seeing a woman wearing fishnet stockings and a skirt in Paris.


Oh Baby, just take my frozen hands and hear me say
The artist emphasizes the physical coldness of Paris and wishes for someone to listen to their heartfelt words.


Don't let me turn to sand and blow away
The artist expresses fear of being forgotten, much like sand that gets blown away by the wind.


Though this crowded desert called Paris
Paris may seem busy and overwhelming, but it still holds an emotional pull for the artist.


Un zeste de Javanaise, un tour de Moulin Rouge et deux de Notre-Dame
The artist suggests adding a combination of French landmarks, such as the Notre-Dame Cathedral and the Moulin Rouge cabaret, into the mix of Parisian experiences.


Nappé de macadam, décoré d'un chaland
The artist sees the streets of Paris as coated with black asphalt and decorated with the visitors to the city.


D'Anvers ou d'Amsterdam un canal, Arletty
The artist finds two canals, one in Antwerp and one in Amsterdam, reminiscent of the riverbanks of Paris. Arletty, a famous French actress, is also mentioned as a symbol of the city's art and culture.


Oh Baby, just hold this lonely fan and hear him say
Again, the artist desires to be heard and understood in Paris, even when they feel isolated and alone.


Sans doute la seule femme qui pouvait dire "Paname"
The artist admires the ability of an unknown woman who can confidently say the nickname of Paris, 'Paname,' which was popularized by music hall performers.


Saupoudrez, pour finir, de poussière do métro
The artist finishes off the image of Paris by sprinkling a bit of metro dust on top, acknowledging the everyday grit and rawness of the city.


Mais n'en prenez pas trop, Paris perdrait son âme
The artist warns against overdoing any artistic or cultural influences on Paris that would dilute its very essence and character.




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: LEIGH GORMAN, DAVID MCNEIL, MALCOLM MCLAREN, DIDIER MAKAGA

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@Robin_Hood054

Anyone from 2024 listening this to masterpiece .

@philippinnell7154

love it @@agnieszkabedowska6710

@JPA64

In this right moment..

@PioSzu88

We all 😊

@anett1473

@kwacou4279

Thank you France for creating the most beautiful language ever ❤️

@user-lg3vz9fu1k

This is a eternal and sentimental song for generations.Hello from New Jersey USA.Pozdrawiam🇺🇸🇵🇱

@1jackbean

OMG! Where has this fab arrangement been hiding all these years, the beautiful Catherine D, that accent and voice...well done j'taime

@cycuac

Jedna z niewielu piosenek gdzie w tej samej chwili czujemy wielką radość i smutek. MEGA !!!!!!

@isabellaadamczyk2058

Tak, masz racje...❤

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