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.
Just Like The Movies
Regina Spektor Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I eat from the trees
If I do not open the curtains
Then I cannot see
All the people run by
All the people run by
All the people run by
My heart eats beats-ts, eats-ts, beats-ts
My heart eats beats-ts, eats-ts, beats-ts
My heart eats beats
My heart eats love-ts-ts, ahv-ts-ts
Ah-ah-ahv-ts-ts, ahv-ts-ts
Ah-ah-ahv-ts-ts, ahv-ts-ts
Ah-ah-ah-ahv
You are mistaken
'Cause I do not bite
Over the Williamsburg bridge
On a bike
And if he loves me
Then why does he leave?
And if he loves me
Then why does he leave...
My heart eats beats-ts, eats-ts, beats-ts
My heart eats beats-ts, eats-ts, beats-ts
My heart eats beats
My heart eats love-ts-ts, ahv-ts-ts
Ah-ah-ahv-ts-ts, ahv-ts-ts
Ahv-ts-ts, love-ts-ts, ah-ah-ahv-ts-ts-ts
Don't say goodbye
Like you're burying him
'Cause the world is round
And he might return
Don't say goodbye
Like you're burying him
'Cause the world is round
And he might return
But if he loves me
Then why does he leave?
But if he loves me
Then why does he leave...
Don't say goodbye
Like you're burying him
'Cause the world is round
And he might return
Don't say goodbye
Like you're burying him
'Cause the world is round
And he might return
The lyrics of Regina Spektor's "Movies" express a wistful longing for a lost lover and the feeling of being in a world that is chaotic and constantly moving. The first verse sets up the imagery of a movie-like scene, with the singer eating from trees and unable to see the bustling world outside her window. She is introspective, her heart beating to the rhythm of love and longing for a lost love who left her despite his love for her. The bridge of the song (beginning with "You are mistaken") takes on a different tone, with the singer insisting that she does not bite and questioning why her lover would leave if he loves her. The chorus then repeats, with the singer's heart eating beats and love, before repeating the idea that the world is round and that her lover may return.
The lyrics of "Movies" can be interpreted in several ways, as Spektor's songs often are. The idea of eating from trees can be seen as a romantic metaphor- the singer is consuming what the world has to offer, but unable to see the larger picture. She is consumed by her own feelings of love and loss. The repeated line "why does he leave?" emphasizes the feeling of confusion that can come with a relationship ending, and the idea that time is not linear- her lover may return, even though he has left her now.
Line by Line Meaning
It's just like the movies
Life feels surreal and cinematic, like a movie.
I eat from the trees
I appreciate the simple, natural pleasures in life.
If I do not open the curtains
Then I cannot see
If I don't take action to seek out new experiences, I'll remain trapped in my own limited perspective.
All the people run by
Life moves quickly, and it can be overwhelming to see so much activity and change around me.
My heart eats beats-ts, eats-ts, beats-ts
My heart is full of energy and emotion, pulsating with life.
You are mistaken
'Cause I do not bite
Over the Williamsburg bridge
On a bike
Don't underestimate me- I'm adventurous and unafraid to take risks, even when others doubt my abilities.
And if he loves me
Then why does he leave?
I'm struggling to understand why someone I care about would choose to go away, and it's causing me pain and confusion.
Don't say goodbye
Like you're burying him
'Cause the world is round
And he might return
I need to keep an open mind and heart, knowing that the person I'm saying goodbye to may come back into my life.
Contributed by Taylor F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
J.T. Sheldon
I will never understand why this was never released. This is by far my favorite Regina Spektor songs. Maybe one day she'll release an unreleased material/demos album? We can only hope.
ぼじん
2022, it's happening! Regina is releasing a vinyl of previously unreleased stuff!
J.T. Sheldon
@ぼじん omg! where did you hear this?!
dimm
@ぼじん .
ぼじん
@J.T. Sheldon hi! I don't know why I didn't get the notification for this reply. Anyways, so Regina posted on Twitter last year that to celebrate the 20th anniversary of her album 11:11, she will release a box set containing remastered officially released 11:11 songs as well as a list of demos/previously unreleased material. Right now it only exists on vinyl. But spektor has said that she is working on making the box set available on streaming sites like spotify this year!
Kelly Jones
I heard this song in like 2006/2007 but couldn't for the life of me remember how it sounded or any lyrics except that the word "heart" was there. I just spent the last hour scouring the internet to no avail and had pretty much convinced myself that it wasn't Regina Spektor after all. And then suddenly, I remembered the line about the bike and bridge, and found this immediately! YES!!!
cassandra garcia
Same!!!! Exact my line that I just remembered rn was "my heart eats beets", but now I'm starting to wonder if it's 'beats' lol
Airi Macaluso
Is anybody else ever completely fine and then they put on this song and it's like "NOPE!" and immediately you're a hysterical mess?
Eleanor Reeves
Her vocals are so amazing I could listen to this all day!
Adriana Cervantes
this song needs more recognition