Amelia
Maria Pia De Vito Danilo Rea Aldo Romano Enzo Pietropaoli & Joni Mitchell Lyrics
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When I spotted six jet planes
Leaving six white vapor trails across the bleak terrain
It was the hexagram of the heavens
It was the strings of my guitar
Amelia, it was just a false alarm
The drone of flying engines
It scrambles time and seasons
If it gets through to you
Then your life becomes a travelogue
Of picture postcard charms
Oh, Amelia, it was just a false alarm
People will tell you where they've gone
They'll tell you where to go
But 'til you get there yourself
You never really know
Where some have found their paradise
Others just come to harm
Oh, Amelia, it was just a false alarm
I wish that he was here tonight
It's so hard to obey
His sad request of me to kindly stay away
So this is how I hide the hurt
As the road leads cursed and charmed
I tell Amelia, it was just a false alarm
A ghost of aviation
She was swallowed by the sky
Or by the sea, like me, she had a dream to fly
Like Icarus ascending
On beautiful foolish arms
Amelia, it was just a false alarm
Maybe I've never really loved
I guess that is the truth
I've spent my whole life in clouds at icy altitude
And looking down on everything
I crashed into his arms
Amelia, it was just a false alarm
I pulled into the Cactus Tree Motel
To shower off the dust
And I slept on the strange pillows of my wanderlust
I dreamed of 747s
Over geometric farms
Dreams, Amelia, dreams and false alarms
In "Amélia," Joni Mitchell weaves a poignant and introspective narrative about longing, fleeting connections, and the complexities of love. The song opens with the singer driving through a desert and witnessing six jet planes leaving white vapor trails across the barren landscape. This imagery, symbolized by the hexagram of the heavens and the strings of a guitar, represents a false sense of hope and possibility. The mention of Amélia suggests that she may be a metaphor for a lost love or an unattainable ideal.
The drone of the flying engines becomes a metaphorical song that disrupts time and seasons, immersing the listener in a journey of self-discovery. Deep introspection reveals that hearing about others' experiences is not the same as living them firsthand. People may offer advice and guidance, but until one experiences something personally, they can never truly know its impact. Some may find their paradises, while others encounter harm. The singer reflects on their inability to fulfill a sad request from a loved one, effectively hiding their pain by embarking on a cursed and charmed road.
The reference to Amélia as a "ghost of aviation" emphasizes the fleeting nature of her dreams. Like the singer, Amélia had a desire to fly but was ultimately consumed by the sky or the sea, leaving behind only a dream. The metaphor of Icarus ascending on foolish arms further underscores the theme of chasing unattainable aspirations. The singer questions their capacity for love, acknowledging a lifetime spent in isolation at high altitudes. However, a moment of vulnerability leads to a crash into someone's arms, perhaps suggesting a brief connection and momentary escape from the self-imposed emotional distance.
The song concludes with the singer retreating to a motel, seeking solace and rest after their emotional journey. The dreams of 747s and geometric farms evoke a sense of longing and desire for freedom. Ultimately, "Amélia" explores the notion of false alarms, unfulfilled dreams, and the complexities of love, leaving listeners with a bittersweet sense of introspection.
Line by Line Meaning
I was driving across the burning desert
I found myself traveling through a scorching desert.
When I spotted six jet planes
I noticed six airplanes flying in the sky.
Leaving six white vapor trails across the bleak terrain
As they soared, they left behind white trails in the desolate landscape.
It was the hexagram of the heavens
These airplanes formed a pattern resembling a hexagram, a symbol of divine connections.
It was the strings of my guitar
Their presence resonated with the strings of my guitar, evoking a sense of harmony.
Amelia, it was just a false alarm
But, Amelia, their appearance turned out to be only an illusion or misunderstanding.
The drone of flying engines
The sound of the aircraft engines created a mesmerizing and melancholic melody.
Is a song so wild and blue
This song captures a feeling of untamed freedom and sadness simultaneously.
It scrambles time and seasons
Its impact disrupts the flow of time and alters the perception of seasons.
If it gets through to you
If you allow yourself to be deeply affected by it.
Then your life becomes a travelogue
Your life transforms into a record of your journeys and experiences.
Of picture postcard charms
Full of idyllic and picturesque moments.
Oh, Amelia, it was just a false alarm
Oh, Amelia, it was merely a misinterpretation or misconception.
People will tell you where they've gone
Others will share stories of their own travels and destinations.
They'll tell you where to go
They may offer suggestions or directions for your own journey.
But 'til you get there yourself
However, you won't truly understand until you experience it firsthand.
You never really know
You can never truly comprehend.
Where some have found their paradise
While some have discovered their personal utopias.
Others just come to harm
Others may face unfortunate consequences or difficulties.
Oh, Amelia, it was just a false alarm
Oh, Amelia, it was nothing more than an illusion or deception.
I wish that he was here tonight
I long for his presence on this particular evening.
It's so hard to obey
It's challenging to adhere to
His sad request of me to kindly stay away
His sorrowful plea for me to keep my distance.
So this is how I hide the hurt
Therefore, this is my way of concealing my pain.
As the road leads cursed and charmed
While the path I travel seems both doomed and graced with miracles.
I tell Amelia, it was just a false alarm
I reassure Amelia that it was only a mistaken alarm or misconception.
A ghost of aviation
A specter that represents the realm of flying.
She was swallowed by the sky
She disappeared, engulfed by the vastness of the heavens.
Or by the sea, like me, she had a dream to fly
Alternatively, she may have vanished in the depths of the sea, just like me, driven by a desire to soar.
Like Icarus ascending
Similar to the mythical figure Icarus, who rose higher and higher.
On beautiful foolish arms
With inherently captivating but naive aspirations.
Amelia, it was just a false alarm
Amelia, it was merely a misconception or misjudgment.
Maybe I've never really loved
Perhaps I have never truly experienced love.
I guess that is the truth
I suppose that is the reality of my situation.
I've spent my whole life in clouds at icy altitude
I have dedicated my entire existence to a cold and distant height, surrounded by clouds.
And looking down on everything
Observing everything from above, detached and distant.
I crashed into his arms
I collided with his embrace.
Amelia, it was just a false alarm
Amelia, it was nothing more than an incorrect perception or assumption.
I pulled into the Cactus Tree Motel
I arrived at the Cactus Tree Motel and parked my vehicle.
To shower off the dust
To cleanse myself from the accumulated dirt and grime.
And I slept on the strange pillows of my wanderlust
I rested my head on the unfamiliar pillows of my inherent desire for exploration and adventure.
I dreamed of 747s
I had vivid dreams about massive Boeing 747 airplanes.
Over geometric farms
Hovering above precisely arranged agricultural lands.
Dreams, Amelia, dreams and false alarms
Visions and fantasies, Amelia, mixed with the deceptive sense of alarm.
Lyrics © Aporia Records Inc., RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Joni Mitchell
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind