Their first collaborative release was a single, as Sylvian ∙ Sakamoto, "Bamboo Houses ∙ Bamboo Music" (30 Jul 1982, Vigin). Later, they worked together on the hit Forbidden Colours (with Sylvian's vocal) and "23rd Psalm", from Sakamoto's "Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence" (1983), soundtrack for the Nagisa Oshima film.
Sites: Discogs
World Citizen
Ryuichi Sakamoto & David Sylvian Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
World citizen
I want to feel
Until my heart can take no more
And there′s nothing in this world I wouldn't give
I want to break
I want a conscience that will keep me wide awake
I won′t be disappointed
I won't be disappointed
I won't be
I saw a face
It was a face I didn′t know
Her sadness told me everything about my own
Can′t let it be
When least expected there she is
Gone the time and space that separates us
And I'm not safe
I think I need a second skin
No, I′m not safe
World citizen
World citizen
I want to travel by night
Across the steppes and over seas
I want to understand the cost
Of everything that's lost
I want to pronounce all their names correctly
World citizen
World citizen
I won′t be disappointed
I won't be
She doesn′t laugh
We've gone from comedy to commerce
And she doesn't feel the ground she walks upon
I turn away
And I′m not sleeping well at night
And while I know this isn′t right
What can you do?
The lyrics of Ryuichi Sakamoto and David Sylvian's song "World Citizen" embody themes of longing, connection, and introspection. It begins with the desire to fully experience and feel, to push past the limits of the heart and give everything without hesitation. The lyrics express a yearning to break through the indifference and monotony of everyday life, to have a conscience that keeps one awake and aware.
The song takes a turn when the singer encounters a face they don't recognize but whose sadness reflects their own. This encounter disrupts the separation of time and space, blurring boundaries and making the singer feel vulnerable and unsafe. It suggests that human connections can transcend physical limitations and ignite a sense of urgency and empathy.
The idea of being a "world citizen" is reinforced, symbolizing a desire to transcend cultural and geographical barriers. It entails traveling through the night, crossing steppes and seas, and gaining a deeper understanding of the cost of everything that is lost. It highlights the importance of acknowledging and properly pronouncing the names of all people, signifying respect and recognition of their individuality and humanity.
The lyrics also touch upon the loss of laughter and the transformation of relationships from genuine connections to mere transactions. The singer feels a disconnection with the world, unable to sleep well at night due to the realization that something isn't right.
Overall, "World Citizen" portrays a yearning for deeper connections, a call to break through indifference, and an exploration of the complexities and vulnerabilities of being a global citizen.
Line by Line Meaning
World citizen
A person who sees themselves as a member of the entire world, rather than just one specific country or culture.
I want to feel
I desire to experience emotions and sensations deeply.
Until my heart can take no more
Until I have experienced such intensity of emotions that my heart feels overwhelmed.
And there's nothing in this world I wouldn't give
I am willing to sacrifice anything and everything for the sake of this intense experience.
I want to break
I long to shatter or disrupt the monotony and lack of emotions in everyday life.
The indifference of the days
The apathy and lack of interest that characterize most ordinary days.
I want a conscience that will keep me wide awake
I desire a moral sense or awareness that will prevent me from becoming numb or indifferent.
I won't be disappointed
I will not let myself feel disillusioned or let down.
I saw a face
I encountered someone's visage or expression.
It was a face I didn't know
It belonged to someone unfamiliar to me.
Her sadness told me everything about my own
By observing her sadness, I gained a deeper understanding of my own emotional state.
Can't let it be
I cannot simply ignore or accept it.
When least expected there she is
Just when I least anticipate it, she appears.
Gone the time and space that separates us
The barriers of time and distance between us have disappeared.
And I'm not safe
I do not feel secure or protected.
I think I need a second skin
I believe I require an additional layer of protection or defense.
No, I'm not safe
No, I still do not feel secure or protected.
World citizen
A reminder of one's global identity and connection to all people and places.
I want to travel by night
I yearn to journey during the nighttime.
Across the steppes and over seas
Over vast stretches of grasslands and bodies of water.
I want to understand the cost
I long to comprehend the price or consequences.
Of everything that's lost
Of all the things that have been forgotten or no longer exist.
I want to pronounce all their names correctly
I desire to accurately and respectfully utter the names of every person.
She doesn't laugh
She doesn't find amusement or joy.
We've gone from comedy to commerce
Our relationship has transitioned from humorous or lighthearted to being focused on business or financial matters.
And she doesn't feel the ground she walks upon
She lacks a sense of connection or rootedness.
I turn away
I avert my gaze or attention.
And I'm not sleeping well at night
I struggle to find restful sleep at night.
And while I know this isn't right
Although I am aware that this behavior or situation is incorrect or unhealthy.
What can you do?
There seems to be no solution or remedy for this predicament.
Writer(s): David Sylvian, Ryuichi Sakamoto
Contributed by Carson S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@vaxjalus5647
(Track 2)
What happened here?
The butterfly has lost its wings
The air's too thick to breathe
And there's something in the drinking water.
The sun comes up
The sun comes up and you're alone
Your sense of purpose come undone
The traffic tails back to the maze on 101
And the news from the sky
Is looking better for today
In every single way
But not for you
World citizen
World citizen
It's not safe
All the yellow birds are sleeping
Cos the air's not fit for breathing
It's not safe
Why can't we be
Without beginning, without end?
Why can't we be?
World citizen
World citizen
And if I stop
And talk with you awhile
I'm overwhelmed by the scale
Of everything you feel
The lonely inner state emergency
I want to feel
Until my heart can take no more
And there's nothing in this world I wouldn't give
I want to break
The indifference of the days
I want a conscience that will keep me wide awake
I won't be disappointed
I won't be disappointed
I won't be.
I saw a face
It was a face I didn't know
Her sadness told me everything about my own
Can't let it be
When least expected there she is
Gone the time and space that separates us
And I'm not safe
I think I need a second skin
No, I'm not safe
World citizen
World citizen
I want to travel by night
Across the steppes and over seas
I want to understand the cost
Of everything that's lost
I want to pronounce all their names correctly
World citizen
World citizen
I won't be disappointed
I won't be.
She doesn't laugh
We've gone from comedy to commerce
And she doesn't feel the ground she walks upon
I turn away
And I'm not sleeping well at night
And while I know this isn't right
What can you do?
@noris9237
デビットの声は安心感とゾクゾクするのと、渋いのと自分は大好きなミュージシャンで、もちろん教授も大好きです。
この組み合わせは最高‼️
@wendellwiggins3776
RIP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! RYUICHI
@TheJudgeraye
I used to have secrets of the Beehive on cassette and would listen to it as a soundtrack to my life at the time. That's what we do when we like music, we imagine things when we listen or we listen when we're doing things and associate it. This stuff proves this Sylvian guy still knows what he's doing...
@karoI508
Long version takes me into another dimension. Astounding artist is what David Sylvian is.
@dazzp2
RIP Ryuichi 神のお恵みがありますように。
@ulisesavath6499
Ayudas a entender la vida. Gracias David.
@KissEnlightenment
ソロになってからのシルヴィアン史上最もオシャレな作品だと思った。 シルヴィアン＋コラボレーションの組み合わせは素晴らしいね、
@tomislavzdunic802
Most beautiful man voice lirics music in world.. Solar system.. Esoteric diamond.. Croatia
@anattosw5838
David è una stella Bianca che spande ancora luce su questa sconfitta umanità.
@user-jn8gp2pw2b
Je ne connaissais pas votre musique, je dois avouer que c'est une magnifique découverte, vous avez beaucoup de talent!