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.
The party
Regina Spektor Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You taste like birthday
You look like New Years
You're like a big parade through town
You leave such a mess but you're so fun
Tell all the neighbors to start knocking down walls
To grab their guitars and run out to the hall
For every place there is a bus
That'll take you where you must
Start counting all your money and friends before you come back again
For every road we can retrace
For every memory we can't face
For every name that's been erased
Let's have another round
May I propose a little toast?
For all the ones who hurt the most
For all the friends that we have lost
Let's give them one more round of applause
But you're like a party somebody threw me
You taste like birthday
You look like New Year
You're like a big parade through town
That leaves such a mess but you're so fun
In Regina Spektor's song, The Party, she compares a person to a fun-filled, chaotic party. The person she is describing brings joy and excitement to her life and is someone she enjoys being around. She uses similes to compare this person to events and things that bring celebration and happiness. The lines "You taste like birthday/You look like New Year" convey the excitement and anticipation associated with these events. Similarly, the line "You're like a big parade through town" symbolizes the attention and energy that this person commands.
The chorus of the song encourages people to come together and celebrate. She wants the neighbors to join in and sing along to her new song. The lines "Start counting all your money and friends before you come back again" allude to the fact that this celebration is relatively short-lived, and people should appreciate the moment while it lasts.
The song's bridge is a reflective moment amidst the chaos and fun. She sings about memories that people retrace and ones we can't face. She acknowledges the pain of losing friends but suggests that we should raise a toast to them one more time. Thus, the song ends on a celebratory note, reiterating the idea that we should cherish the people and moments that make our lives enjoyable.
Line by Line Meaning
You're like a party somebody threw me
You bring excitement and joy into my life like a party.
You taste like birthday
You are sweet and enjoyable, like the taste of birthday cake.
You look like New Years
You are special and memorable, like the appearance of New Year's Eve.
You're like a big parade through town
You are loud and colorful, like a parade that draws a lot of attention from people around.
You leave such a mess but you're so fun
You may create chaos and disorder but still your company is enjoyable and worth having.
Tell all the neighbors to start knocking down walls
Invite people around us to have fun and break free from their dull lives.
To grab their guitars and run out to the hall
Bring along their musical instruments and join the party without any inhibition.
And we're coming out right along to sing them my new song
Encourage people to participate and enjoy the party with everyone who has gathered by singing the new song.
For every place there is a bus
There is always an opportunity to move on, go to different places, and explore new things.
That'll take you where you must
A bus can take us to where we feel we belong, where we are meant to be.
Start counting all your money and friends before you come back again
Before departing on the journey, make sure to count the wealth of experiences and friends one has, in order to cherish and remember those moments forever.
For every road we can retrace
We can always look backward and retrace our steps, retracing memories and moments.
For every memory we can't face
There may be memories that we are afraid to confront or unable to face anymore.
For every name that's been erased
People who have left us and whose memories we cherish even though they are no longer around.
Let's have another round
Let's relive the good times again and again without any regrets or fear of the future.
May I propose a little toast?
A traditional call to attention for all present to raise their glasses and celebrate together.
For all the ones who hurt the most
Let us remember all who have faced pain and hurt, and celebrate their resilience and healing.
For all the friends that we have lost
Let's remember our friends who are no longer amongst us and celebrate their lives.
Let's give them one more round of applause
Let's show respect for and appreciate the times spent with them and their contribution to our lives.
But you're like a party somebody threw me
You bring happiness and joy into my life like a party.
You taste like birthday
You are sweet and enjoyable, like the taste of birthday cake.
You look like New Year
You have a special and memorable appearance, like New Year's Eve.
You're like a big parade through town
You attract attention and energy, like a parade moving through the streets.
That leaves such a mess but you're so fun
Although you may create chaos and mess, you are still an enjoyable presence that everybody loves to have around.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: REGINA SPEKTOR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind