The Last Emperor
R.Sakamoto & D.Byrne Lyrics
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I see the shoreline, I see the whitecaps
A baseball diamond, nice weather down there
I see the school and the houses where the kids are
Places to park by the factories and buildings
Restaurants and bar for later in the evening
Then we come to the farmlands, and the undeveloped areas
I see the parkway that passes through them all
And I have learned how to look at these things and I say
I wouldn't live there if you paid me
I wouldn't live like that, no Siree
I wouldn't do the things the way those people do
I wouldn't live there if you paid me to
I guess it's healthy, I guess the air is clean
I guess those people have fun with their neighbors and friends
Look at that kitchen and all of that food
Look at them eat it, I guess it tastes real good
They grow it in those farmlands
Then they bring it to the stores
They put it in the car trunk
And they bring it back home and I say
I wouldn't live there if you paid me
I wouldn't live like that, no Siree
I wouldn't do the things the way those people do
I wouldn't live there if you paid me to
I'm tired of looking out the windows of the airplane
I am tired of traveling, I want to be somewhere
It's not even worth talking
About those people down there
The lyrics to “The Last Emperor-Theme” by Ryuichi Sakamoto and David Byrne represent a contrast between an aerial view of the world and a personal perspective on what they see from above. The first verse speaks of Sakamoto’s map-like view of the world below, where he recognizes familiar shapes and places such as shorelines, baseball diamonds, schools, and houses. However, as the song progresses, he moves beyond the developed areas and into farmlands and undeveloped areas, where he observes people living more simply and sustainably, growing their own food, and bringing it back to their families.
Despite acknowledging the positive aspects of this lifestyle, Sakamoto still feels disconnected from these communities and could never see himself living there. The repetition of the phrase “I wouldn’t live there if you paid me” highlights this divide and serves to emphasize the contrast between different ways of living. Ultimately, the song captures the tension between the bittersweet beauty of the world from above and a longing for a more grounded sense of place and belonging that can only come from an intimate connection with the land and community.
Line by Line Meaning
I see the shapes, I remember from maps
I can recognize the shapes and locations from studying maps
I see the shoreline, I see the whitecaps
I observe the ocean's waves as they crash on the shore
A baseball diamond, nice weather down there
I view a sports field in a region of pleasant climate
I see the school and the houses where the kids are
I notice the homes and educational institution where the children reside
Places to park by the factories and buildings
I spot designated areas for parking near commercial and industrial sites
Restaurants and bar for later in the evening
I observe eating establishments and bars for leisure activities at night
Then we come to the farmlands, and the undeveloped areas
Next, I see the agricultural lands and undeveloped regions
And I have learned, how these things work together
I have acquired knowledge about how these various areas and components interact
I see the parkway that passes through them all
I notice the roadway that traverses through all these elements
And I have learned how to look at these things and I say
As a result, I've developed a perspective on observing and analyzing these phenomena, and I proclaim
I wouldn't live there if you paid me
Under no circumstances would I reside in that region, even for compensation
I wouldn't live like that, no Siree
I have no interest in adopting that style of living, not at all
I wouldn't do the things the way those people do
I wouldn't adopt the same customs and behaviors as those people
I wouldn't live there if you paid me to
I categorically refuse to reside there, even if given monetary compensation
I guess it's healthy, I guess the air is clean
I surmise that the environment is healthy and the air quality is high
I guess those people have fun with their neighbors and friends
Perhaps those people derive enjoyment from socializing with their acquaintances and comrades
Look at that kitchen and all of that food
Observing that kitchen overflowing with food...
Look at them eat it, I guess it tastes real good
...and observing them eating it, I presume that it's delicious
They grow it in those farmlands
It compares their process of cultivating food in the agricultural regions
Then they bring it to the stores
They then transport it to retail stores
They put it in the car trunk
And they pack it in their vehicle's trunk
And they bring it back home and I say
They then return to their homes with their fresh produce, and I utter
I'm tired of looking out the windows of the airplane
I'm weary of gazing through the aircraft's windows
I am tired of traveling, I want to be somewhere
I am exhausted from traveling and yearn for a specific destination
It's not even worth talking
Those folks and their customs aren't even worth mentioning
About those people down there
Referring to the people residing in the areas below
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DAVID BYRNE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind