In 2002, she starred with Michelle Pfeiffer in White Oleander and in Rob Marshall's Best Picture winning film Chicago opposite Catherine Zeta Jones, Richard Gere, Queen Latifah, and John C. Reilly. Zellweger earned her second Academy Award nomination as Best Actress, as well as the Screen Actors Guild and Golden Globe Award. In 2004, Zellweger finally received an Academy Award, this time as Best Supporting Actress in Anthony Minghella's Cold Mountain opposite Jude Law and Nicole Kidman.
The Trolley Song
Renée Zellweger Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ding, ding, ding went the bell
Zing, zing, zing went my heartstrings
From the moment I saw him I fell
Chug, chug, chug went the motor
Bump, bump, bump went the break
Thump, thump, thump went my heartstrings
He tipped his hat and took a seat
He said he hoped he hadn't stepped upon my feet
He asked my name, I held my breath
I couldn't speak because he scared me half to death
Buzz, buzz, buzz went the buzzer
Flop, flop, flop went the wheels
Stop, stop, stop went my heartstrings
As he started to go, then I started to know
How it feels
When the Universe reels
He tipped his hat and took a seat
He said he hoped he hadn't stepped upon my feet
He asked my name, I held my breath
I couldn't speak because he scared me half to death
Buzz, buzz, buzz went the buzzer
Flop, flop, flop went the wheels
Stop, stop went my heartstrings
As he started to leave
I took hold of his sleeve with my hand
And as if it were planned
He stayed on with me
And it was grand just to stand
With his hand holding mine
To the end of the line
"The Trolley Song" is a joyful and charming tune from the musical film "Meet Me in St. Louis," sung by the character played by Renée Zellweger. The song captures the excitement and anticipation of a romantic encounter on a trolley ride. The lyrics vividly describe the sounds and sensations experienced by the singer as her heartstrings begin to resonate with love.
The opening lines paint a picture of the trolley's journey with the onomatopoeic sounds of "clang, clang, clang" of the trolley, the "ding, ding, ding" of the bell, and the "zing, zing, zing" of the singer's heartstrings. These sounds evoke a sense of anticipation and excitement. The following lines describe the vibration of the trolley's motor and the singer's heartbeats that seem to sync with each other when she catches sight of her love interest. The vivid descriptions continue as the song describes the charming interaction between the two. The singer is initially too awestruck to speak when he asks her name.
The chorus repeats the sounds of the buzzer and wheels, further emphasizing the connection between the singer's heartstrings and the trolley ride. The final verse suggests that their encounter was perhaps fated, as she takes hold of his sleeve and he decides to stay with her until the end of the line, creating a grand and romantic moment.
Overall, "The Trolley Song" captures the thrill and exhilaration of newfound love against the backdrop of a trolley ride. The descriptive lyrics and playful melodies make it a timeless and heartwarming piece.
Line by Line Meaning
Clang, clang, clang went the trolley
The sound of the trolley was loud and prominent, capturing everyone's attention.
Ding, ding, ding went the bell
The bell on the trolley rang repeatedly, signaling its presence and movement.
Zing, zing, zing went my heartstrings
My heartstrings resonated with excitement and joy upon seeing him.
From the moment I saw him I fell
I immediately fell in love with him as soon as I laid eyes on him.
Chug, chug, chug went the motor
The motor of the trolley made rhythmic and steady sounds as it propelled forward.
Bump, bump, bump went the brake
The brake of the trolley caused jolts and bumps as it slowed down or stopped.
Thump, thump, thump went my heartstrings
My heartstrings beat rapidly and intensely when he smiled, causing a sense of excitement and anticipation.
When he smiled you could feel the car shake
His smile was so captivating and powerful that it seemed to have an impact on the entire atmosphere.
He tipped his hat and took a seat
With a polite gesture, he acknowledged me and found a place to sit.
He said he hoped he hadn't stepped upon my feet
He expressed his concern about accidentally causing me discomfort or inconvenience.
He asked my name, I held my breath
When he inquired about my name, I felt extremely nervous and held my breath in anticipation.
I couldn't speak because he scared me half to death
His presence and charm overwhelmed me to the point where I was unable to utter a single word.
Buzz, buzz, buzz went the buzzer
The buzzer inside the trolley emitted a buzzing sound, indicating an upcoming stop or destination.
Flop, flop, flop went the wheels
The wheels of the trolley made a flopping sound as they rolled over the tracks.
Stop, stop, stop went my heartstrings
My heartstrings abruptly ceased their rapid beating, possibly due to a mix of nervousness and desire for the moment to last longer.
As he started to go, then I started to know
As he began to leave, I began to realize and understand my feelings for him.
How it feels
The intense and overwhelming emotions experienced in that moment.
When the Universe reels
A metaphorical description of the profound impact and shift in perspective caused by such a strong connection.
I took hold of his sleeve with my hand
In an impulsive and daring move, I grabbed onto his sleeve with my hand.
And as if it were planned
It seemed as though our actions were predestined or perfectly orchestrated by fate.
He stayed on with me
He chose to remain by my side, refusing to leave the trolley and our encounter.
And it was grand just to stand
The sheer joy and excitement I felt by simply being close to him was immense.
With his hand holding mine
The physical connection between our hands added an extra layer of intimacy and affection.
To the end of the line
We stayed together until the final stop of the trolley ride, symbolizing a commitment to each other.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Fintage House Publishing
Written by: Hugh Martin, Ralph Blane
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind