After self-releasing her first three records and gaining popularity in New York City's independent music scenes, particularly the anti-folk scene centered on New York City's East Village, Spektor signed with Sire Records in 2004 and began achieving greater mainstream recognition. After giving her third album a major label re-release, Sire released Spektor's fourth album, Begin to Hope, which achieved a Gold certification by the RIAA. Her following two albums, Far and What We Saw from the Cheap Seats, each debuted at number 3 on the Billboard 200. 2016's Remember Us to Life peaked at 23 on the Billboard 200.
Mayor Bill de Blasio proclaimed June 11, 2019, Regina Spektor Day in New York City. Spektor was also inducted into the Bronx Walk of Fame on May 18, 2019, by Borough President Rubén Díaz Jr.
Don't Leave Me
Regina Spektor Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ball-eyes and their lip-mouths in the night
And stumbling through the streets they say
"Sir, do you got a light?"
And if you do then you're my friend
And if you don't then you're my foe
And if you are a deity of any sort
Then please don't go
Ne Me Quitte Pas, Mon Chere
Ne Me Quitte Pas
Ah ah ah ah Ne Me Quitte Pas, Mon Chere
Ne Me Quitte Pas
And down on Lexington they're wearing
New shoes stuck to aging feet
And close their eyes and open
And they'll recognize the aging street
And think about how things were right
When they were young and veins were tight
And if you are the ghost of Christmas Past
Then wont you stay the night?
Ne Me Quitte Pas, Mon Chere
Ne Me Quitte Pas
Ah ah ah ah Ne Me Quitte Pas, Mon Chere
Ne Me Quitte Pas
Ooh ooh ooh ooh Ne Me Quitte Pas, Mon Chere
Ne Me Quitte Pas
Ah ah ah ah Ne Me Quitte Pas, Mon Chere
Ne Me Quitte Pas
Down in Bronxy-Bronx the kids go
Sledding down snow-covered slopes
And frozen noses, frozen toes
The frozen city starts to glow
And yes, they know that it'll melt
And yes, the know New York will thaw
But if you are a friend of any sort
Then play along and catch a cold!
Ne Me Quitte Pas, Mon Chere
Ne Me Quitte Pas
Ah ah ah ah Ne Me Quitte Pas, Mon Chere
Ne Me Quitte Pas
Ooh ooh ooh ooh Ne Me Quitte Pas, Mon Chere
Ne Me Quitte Pas
Ah ah ah ah Ne Me Quitte Pas, Mon Chere
Ne Me Quitte Pas
I love Paris in the rain
I love Paris in the rain
I love, I love, in the rain
I love Paris in the rain
I love Paris in the rain
I love, I love, in the rain
Oh I love, I love, in the rain
Oh I love, I love, in the rain
Oh I love, I love, in the rain
The lyrics of Regina Spektor's "Don't Leave Me" invoke a sense of nostalgia and a yearning for human connection, no matter how fleeting it may be. The song is divided into three parts, each describing a different scene in New York City, and they all share the common thread of people seeking out a sense of community and belonging.
In the first stanza, the singer describes the people on Bowery, who are looking for a light and are willing to befriend anyone who can provide it. The repeated phrase "Ne me quitte pas, mon chère" (Do not leave me, my dear) serves as a plea to those who may be able to offer some kind of companionship, whether it be a light or a moment of conversation. The second stanza takes us to Lexington, where people are trying to recapture their youth and the feeling of being invincible. The ghost of Christmas past is invoked as a way to paint a picture of a person who may be able to offer some wisdom or guidance to those who have lost their way.
The final stanza takes us to the Bronx, where kids are making the most of the winter weather, even if it means getting sick. The idea of catching a cold and "playing along" with the fleeting joy of a snow day shows how even temporary moments of happiness are worth pursuing. The repetition of "I love Paris in the rain" feels almost like a nonsequitur, but it serves as a reminder that there are things in life that we can love and feel connected to, even if they are far away or elusive.
In summary, Regina Spektor's "Don't Leave Me" is a meditation on the human need for connection and the sometimes desperate measures we take to find it.
Line by Line Meaning
Down on Bowery they lose their Ball-eyes and their lip-mouths in the night
On the rough streets of Bowery, people become exhausted to the point where they can no longer keep their eyes open or keep their lips from hanging open as they wander aimlessly in the darkness.
And stumbling through the streets they say 'Sir, do you got a light?'
As these aimless wanderers stumble through the streets, they ask strangers if they have a lighter they can borrow to light their cigarettes.
And if you do then you're my friend
If you have a lighter, they will consider you a friend because it means you've given them a small favor.
And if you don't then you're my foe
If you don't have a lighter, they will see you as an enemy because you can't do them this small favor.
And if you are a deity of any sort Then please don't go
Any kind of god or higher power would be regarded as a source of good news on this dark and dreary street, and the person speaking would prefer that they don't leave.
And down on Lexington they're wearing New shoes stuck to aging feet
On Lexington Avenue, the people are wearing new shoes, but their feet are old and worn out, making it difficult for them to walk.
And close their eyes and open And they'll recognize the aging street
They close and open their eyes and are immediately reminded of the reality of their surroundings, which is a decaying, old street.
And think about how things were right When they were young and veins were tight
They think and reminisce about their youth when everything was perfect and easy, and their blood was still flowing with the fullness of life.
And if you are the ghost of Christmas past Then wont you stay the night?
They invite the ghost of Christmas past to stay and keep them company on this old and dreary street, even if it's just for one night.
Down in Bronxy-Bronx the kids go Sledding down snow-covered slopes
In the Bronx, children go sledding on hills covered with snow.
And frozen noses, frozen toes The frozen city starts to glow
Despite the cold, the city lights up with a serene beauty because of the snow on the ground and the excited children playing in it.
And yes, they know that it'll melt And yes, the know New York will thaw
The children know that this snow will eventually melt, and that the city will return to its busy and normal state, but they still enjoy the moment while it lasts.
But if you are a friend of any sort Then play along and catch a cold!
If you're a friend, you are invited to join in the fun and catch a cold with the children.
I love Paris in the rain I love Paris in the rain I love, I love, in the rain
The singer expresses their love for the beauty of Paris in the rain and how it makes them feel, which inspires them to love even more.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: REGINA SPEKTOR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@robinvanbeem7463
LYRICS
Down on Bowery they lose their
Ball-eyes and their lip-mouths in the night,
And stumbling through the streets they say,
"Sir, do you got a light?
And if you do then you're my friend,
And if you don't then you're my foe,
And if you are a deity of any sort
Then please don't go."
Ne Me Quitte Pas, Mon Cher
Ne Me Quitte Pas
Ne Me Quitte Pas, Mon Cher
Ne Me Quitte Pas
And down on Lexington they're wearing
New shoes stuck to aging feet,
And close their eyes and open,
And I recognize the aging street,
And think about how things were right
When they were young and veins were tight
And if you are the ghost of Christmas Past
Then won't you stay the night?
Ne Me Quitte Pas, Mon Cher
Ne Me Quitte Pas
Ne Me Quitte Pas, Mon Cher
Ne Me Quitte Pas
Ne Me Quitte Pas, Mon Cher
Ne Me Quitte Pas
Ne Me Quitte Pas, Mon Cher
Ne Me Quitte Pas
Down in Bronxy-Bronx the kids go
Sledding down snow-covered slopes
And frozen noses, frozen toes
And frozen city starts to glow
And yes, they know that it'll melt
And yes, they know New York will thaw
But if you are a friend of any sort
Then play along and catch a cold!
Ne Me Quitte Pas, Mon Cher
Ne Me Quitte Pas
Ne Me Quitte Pas, Mon Cher
Ne Me Quitte Pas
Ne Me Quitte Pas, Mon Cher
Ne Me Quitte Pas
Ne Me Quitte Pas, Mon Cher
Ne Me Quitte Pas
[x2]
I love Paris in the rain.
I love Paris in the rain.
I love, I love, in the rain...
[x3]
I love, I love, in the rain...
@random_number0
This is probably one of the most favorite songs in my entire life. The music itself is great, cheerful, catching, and just envokes the feeling of joy in me :D I just love how her music is always creative like this.
@izaalar6088
Una De Las Mejores Canciones De La Historia .
@yoelhuete878
Did you already listen the song on russian version?? is awesome too!!
@kenigsfamily
@@yoelhuete878 where is it?
@yoelhuete878
@@kenigsfamily this is the russian version and is also awesome!! https://youtu.be/aJnfZi9IhyM?si=d1j6kzrUwk_O-wjj
@leafyveins4985
This song has never, ever failed to make me feel at least a little tiny bit better. Regina is magical.
@israelcontreras1936
Almost 10 years later and this video still puts a smile on my face.
Thank you for that, Regina. :)
@user-kk1rw7io6f
She's my favorite artist since I was a child. The Call from Narnia made me a fan of her, her songs are so good. But it''s just sad that she's underrated and not all people knows about how great her music is.
@larr37
Every time I listen to Regina Spektor I'm astonished. Love her voice.
@SubjectDelta20
This song is so unbelievably catchy. It burrows itself in you're brain and plays on a loop over and over and over again.