As a singer-songwriter, Tikaram scored her greatest hit to date with Twist in My Sobriety, from her debut album Ancient Heart in 1988, when she was 19 years of age. After two years she released her second album The Sweet Keeper, containing songs such as Sunset's Arrived and Harm in Your Hands.
Other albums released by Tanita are: Everybody's Angel, Eleven Kinds of Loneliness, Lovers in the City, Cappuccino Songs and Sentimental.
As of April 2009, Tanita is living in London, England, and is currently recording a new album. Tanita is also releasing free live versions of older songs on her blog. You can subscribe here: http://tanitatikaramblog.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default
Valentine Heart
Tanita Tikaram Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Would you take me back to your house
Which is sainted with lust and the listless shade
If I could have held you once more with that light
It's nothing to you, but it keeps me alive
Like a Valentine's Day, it's a Valentine's heart, anyway
The king and the ages, they fall by the plan
(It's the) challenge it's funny and such
I want to see you again
I want to see you again
It's so simple and plain
But I'll come back and see you again
The lie is the angel, it doesn't exist
I tell you it's funny but you like just to twist all my words
It's a shame you're so young
My word, it's a shame I'm so dumb
I figure a house with the smoke and the fence
The people round here would be pleased
Take my word on this
I would believe just in you, just believe in you
And five days to catch me around with my ring
As I visit the friendships which meant everything to the girl
With the clown's face, to the girl with the clowns face, round here
The lyrics of Tanita Tikaram's song Valentine Heart are a combination of vivid imagery and abstract ideas that come together to create a heartfelt plea for love and connection. The song speaks of a protagonist who is yearning for the warmth and comfort of a lover who is distant and unattainable. The opening line, "If I was a Londoner, rich with complaint," sets the tone for the rest of the song, with the singer expressing a sense of alienation and longing that is tied to their surroundings. The idea of being "sainted with lust and the listless shade" points to a desire for something both sensual and shadowy, a desire that is both comforting and unsettling.
The second stanza shifts the focus to broader societal concerns, with the idea that "the king and the ages, they fall by the plan" suggesting the cyclical nature of human history. The singer longs to escape this inevitability and connect with the person they love, even if that connection is temporary or fleeting. The repetition of "I want to see you again" highlights the desperate need for connection that underpins the whole song, while the reference to "the girl with the clown's face" adds a note of whimsy and unpredictability.
Overall, Valentine Heart is a song that speaks to the human need for love and connection, even in the face of difficulty and uncertainty. It is a reminder that sometimes the things we desire most are the most elusive, but that the pursuit of those desires can bring a sense of purpose and meaning to our lives.
Line by Line Meaning
If I was a Londoner, rich with complaint
If I were a disillusioned Londoner, longing to vent my frustrations, would you welcome me into your home?
Would you take me back to your house
Would you be willing to invite me into the sanctuary of your home?
Which is sainted with lust and the listless shade
Your home is imbued with a holy sense of lust and a languid, dreamy atmosphere.
If I could have held you once more with that light
If I could have embraced you again by the light of the moon or stars.
It's nothing to you, but it keeps me alive
Although it may be insignificant to you, the memory of our past love sustains me.
Like a Valentine's Day, it's a Valentine's heart, anyway
The memory of our love is like a Valentine's Day, a time to celebrate love and affection, and it remains in my heart regardless.
The king and the ages, they fall by the plan
Even the most powerful rulers and the passage of time are subject to a preordained fate.
It's always the tired and the ordinary man
It's often the common, weary person who is affected by such predestined outcomes.
(It's the) challenge it's funny and such
Even though it's a daunting challenge, it's amusing and engaging.
I want to see you again
I long to be in your company once more.
It's so simple and plain
The desire to see you again is straightforward and uncomplicated.
But I'll come back and see you again
I'm determined to reunite with you.
The lie is the angel, it doesn't exist
Deception may seem angelic, but in reality it is non-existent.
I tell you it's funny but you like just to twist all my words
I try to be humorous, but you enjoy distorting my words for your amusement.
It's a shame you're so young
It's unfortunate that you're so inexperienced and naive.
My word, it's a shame I'm so dumb
I admit that it's my own fault for being foolish or ignorant.
I figure a house with the smoke and the fence
I imagine a quaint house with a chimney emitting smoke, and a fence surrounding it.
The people round here would be pleased
The residents of this area would be content with such a simple abode.
Take my word on this
Believe me when I say this is true.
I would believe just in you, just believe in you
I would have faith in only you, and I hope you would have faith in me as well.
And five days to catch me around with my ring
I'll be circling around for five days, wearing my ring, hoping to catch a glimpse of you.
As I visit the friendships which meant everything to the girl
As I reconnect with the friendships that meant everything to the girl I used to be.
With the clown's face, to the girl with the clowns face, round here
The same girl, who used to wear a clown's face as a mask, still resides in this area.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: TANITA TIKARAM
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind