Wainwright played a dobro on this song; his producer, Pierre Marchand, played the piano. It was released on his second album, Poses, released when he was 27. Wainwright was an old soul musically, influenced by opera. His sound didn't go over well in the grunge era, but by 2001 there was more of an audience for his eclectic sound.
Greek Song
Rufus Wainwright Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You turn me on you turn me on
You have to know
You who were born where the sun she keeps her distance
You turn me on you turn me on
But so does she
You who were born there where beauty is existence
Your body heals my soul
You who were born where you shiver and you shudder
You turn me on the girl is gone so come on
Let's go
All the pearls of China
Fade astride a volta
Don't sew beelines to anybody's hide
Save your poison for a lover who is on your side
One way is Rome and the other way is Mecca
On either side on either side
Of our motorbike
One way is home and the other way is papa
On either side on either side and prepared to strike.
When I get back
I will dream in Barnes and Noble's
Oh leave me here oh leave me
Where angles fear to tread
When I get back I will bleed after my beating
Don't leave me here don't leave me here
I'm scared to death
All the pearls of China
Fade astride a volta
Don't sew beelines to anybody's hide
Save your poison for a lover who is on you side
All the pearls of China
Fade astride a volta
Don't sew beelines to anybody's hide
Save your poison for a lover who is on your side.
The lyrics to Rufus Wainwright's song "Greek Song" are full of mystical imagery that is generally open to interpretation. The song seems to be describing a woman who was born under a unique set of circumstances, including having the sun above her shoulders or living in a place where beauty is existence. This woman is described as having a powerful effect on the singer - she turns him on both physically and emotionally, and her body heals his soul.
However, these positive images are occasionally contrasted with darker sentiments. The woman also comes from a place where she shivers and shudders, and she seems to disappear at some point. The lyrics also reference "poison" and bleeding after a beating, suggesting that this relationship may not be entirely healthy. There are references to Rome, Mecca, and a motorbike, which seem to suggest a journey being taken by both the singer and the woman in question. However, the true meaning of the song remains elusive, leaving the audience to interpret it for themselves.
In terms of interesting facts about the song, there are several unique details to note. For one, the song appears on Rufus Wainwright's debut album, which was released in 1998. The album was produced by Jon Brion, who has worked with numerous other artists, including Fiona Apple and Kanye West. "Greek Song" was never released as a single, so it didn't receive much airplay or attention from mainstream audiences. However, the song has become a fan favorite and is often performed at Wainwright's concerts.
Another interesting detail is that the song's title is likely a reference to the Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice. In the myth, Orpheus is a musician who travels to the underworld to rescue his wife, Eurydice, who has died. The song's lyrics contain references to journeys and to a woman who disappears, which could be interpreted as references to this myth. Additionally, the song's chorus repeats the phrase "save your poison for a lover who is on your side," which could be a reference to the Greek myth of Medea, who kills her children to spite her unfaithful husband.
While it's difficult to pinpoint the exact meaning of "Greek Song," it's clear that the song is full of vivid imagery and emotional intensity. Whether describing the beauty of a woman or the darkness of a relationship, Rufus Wainwright's song captures a sense of longing and desire that is both alluring and haunting.
Chords:
Verse:
G B C G
G B C D
C B Am G
C B Am D
Chorus:
G Am Em D
G Am Em D
G Am Em D
C G/B Am D/F# Gsus4 G
Line by Line Meaning
You who were born with the sun above your shoulders
You, born with privileges and advantages, attract me
You turn me on you turn me on
You captivate me and make me desire you
You have to know
It is important that you understand
You who were born where the sun she keeps her distance
You, from a place where love and warmth are rare, still attract me
But so does she
But that place still holds a certain allure
You who were born there where beauty is existence
You, from a place where beauty is inherent and ever-present, enchant me
Your body heals my soul
Being with you rejuvenates me on a deep level
You who were born where you shiver and you shudder
You, from a place of discomfort and fear, excite me
You turn me on the girl is gone so come on
You still arouse me, despite the absence of another woman
Let's go
Let's move forward together
All the pearls of China
All the valuable things in the world
Fade astride a volta
Lose their worth over time
Don't sew beelines to anybody's hide
Don't stay committed to someone who is not good for you
Save your poison for a lover who is on your side
Preserve your strength and love for someone who reciprocates it
One way is Rome and the other way is Mecca
There are multiple paths one can take in life
On either side on either side
You have options
Of our motorbike
Of our life journey
One way is home and the other way is papa
One path leads to comfort and familiarity, the other to the unknown
On either side on either side and prepared to strike.
Both paths are viable and potentially rewarding
When I get back
When I return to reality
I will dream in Barnes and Noble's
I will escape my troubles and find solace in books
Oh leave me here oh leave me
Allow me to stay in this refuge
Where angles fear to tread
Where few are brave enough to venture
When I get back I will bleed after my beating
I will suffer, but take it as an opportunity to heal
Don't leave me here don't leave me here
Don't abandon me in my struggles
I'm scared to death
I'm terrified of what's to come
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind