Washington Square
The Correspondents Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Better to have loved and lost than never loved at all
Just love the lust you'll have the leap without the fall
It's better to have loved and lost than never loved at all
Just love the lust you'll have the leap without the fall

Your best friend asked if I am straight or gay
I can understand the question when I dance this way
Straight I said, he said that's ok
Some other little something might be coming your way

A little while later and up you slide
Sipping on your drink I'm making moves on the side
I've got to impress her with my mating routine
Show her something no new yorker will have ever seen

So I pull out the peacock knees of surprise
She laughs and tells me that I'm spraying sweat in her eyes
I apologise, stand still on the spot
She puts her hand on my back and says wow you're hot

You turn me on
You turn me on
You turn me on
You turn me on
You turn me on
You turn me on
You turn me on
You turn me on
You turn me on
You turn me on

It's as clear as the ice melting in my glass
there was no need for questions to be asked
hear the how d'you do's, why d'you do's, political views, you've heard the news
the oh my god it's different here, you have to tip with every beer
It's clear, so little time to waste
Make the move, haste post haste
This is lust at first sight
Lets knacker the night 'til it retreats to light

I'm in new york making out in the back of a cab
and she's giving me her body to taste touch and grab
I'm fulfilling a cliche: ticking a box
Big apple, yellow cab, and an American fox
The city driving past us block by block
I never ever ever want this cliche to stop

Knowing that skyscrapers rise above
I could of sworn I felt a crazy little surge of love
The love of lust, directed at you
Do you feel the same way too?
Please tell me that you do
and we can love lust the whole night through

They say it's better to have loved and lost than never loved at all
Just love the lust you'll have the leap without the fall

They say it's better to have loved and lost than never loved at all
Just love the lust you'll have the leap without the fall

They say it's better to have loved and lost than never loved at all
Just love the lust you'll have the leap without the fall

They say it's better to have loved and lost than never loved at all
Just love the lust you'll have the leap without the fall

You turn me on
You turn me on
You turn me on
You turn me on
You turn me on
You turn me on
You turn me on
You turn me on




You turn me on
You turn me on

Overall Meaning

The Correspondents' song "Washington Square" is all about lust and the pleasures of the moment. The lyrics speak of preferring to love and lose rather than not love at all, and the importance of embracing lust to experience the thrill without the consequences of a fall. The singer meets a girl at a bar in Washington Square, New York, and tries to impress her with his moves. He admits to being straight but open to other possibilities, which seem to pay off as they end up making out in the back of a cab. The song is essentially a celebration of living in the moment and seizing opportunities to experience pleasure without worrying about the future.


The lyrics of "Washington Square" could be interpreted as a commentary on the hedonistic culture of New York City, where people are always on the lookout for their next thrill. The city is often associated with fast-paced living, partying, and casual hookups, and the song captures the energy of that lifestyle. However, it is also a cautionary tale about the dangers of getting too caught up in the moment and losing sight of what's truly important in life.


Line by Line Meaning

Better to have loved and lost than never loved at all
It's preferable to have had a love experience, even if it ends in heartbreak, rather than never having loved at all.


Just love the lust you'll have the leap without the fall
Simply enjoy the physical aspect of a relationship without worrying about the emotional consequences.


Your best friend asked if I am straight or gay
Your friend inquired about my sexual orientation based on my dancing style.


I can understand the question when I dance this way
I can see why your friend may have been confused about my sexuality when observing the way I dance.


Straight I said, he said that's ok
I clarified that I am heterosexual, to which your friend responded positively.


Some other little something might be coming your way
I suggest that there may be a possibility of a future encounter or relationship between us.


A little while later and up you slide
Eventually, you join me at the bar.


Sipping on your drink I'm making moves on the side
While you sip your drink, I am attempting to flirt with you.


I've got to impress her with my mating routine
I feel the need to showcase my best moves and behavior to attract you, like animals during mating season.


Show her something no new yorker will have ever seen
I want to impress you with unique moves or behavior that are uncommon in New York City.


So I pull out the peacock knees of surprise
I perform an unexpected, show-stopping move.


She laughs and tells me that I'm spraying sweat in her eyes
You find my moves entertaining, but I am overexerting myself and causing some physical discomfort for you.


I apologise, stand still on the spot
I apologize for my excessive sweating and stop moving.


She puts her hand on my back and says wow you're hot
You compliment my physical appearance and are attracted to me.


It's as clear as the ice melting in my glass
It is obvious and apparent, like ice melting in a glass.


there was no need for questions to be asked
We didn't need to have any deep conversations or ask each other many questions to feel a connection.


hear the how d'you do's, why d'you do's, political views, you've heard the news
There are many typical conversations about small talk topics, opinions, and current events happening around us.


the oh my god it's different here, you have to tip with every beer
There are some aspects of New York City that are novel and different from other places, like having to tip for every drink at a bar.


It's clear, so little time to waste
It is evident that time is limited and should not be wasted.


Make the move, haste post haste
We should act quickly and make a move as soon as possible.


This is lust at first sight
Our attraction to each other is purely physical and immediate.


Lets knacker the night 'til it retreats to light
Let's spend the whole night engaging in sexual activity until morning comes.


I'm in new york making out in the back of a cab
I am in New York City, kissing and touching someone in a taxi.


and she's giving me her body to taste touch and grab
The other person is allowing me to explore and engage with their body in a sexual manner.


I'm fulfilling a cliche: ticking a box
I am engaging in a stereotypical or overdone experience or behavior, like having sex in New York City.


Big apple, yellow cab, and an American fox
I am experiencing a classic New York City moment with an attractive American partner.


The city driving past us block by block
We are being driven through the city while engaging in sexual activity.


I never ever ever want this cliche to stop
I am enjoying this stereotypical experience so much that I never want it to end.


Knowing that skyscrapers rise above
Being surrounded by tall buildings adds to the excitement and intensity of the experience.


I could of sworn I felt a crazy little surge of love
I may be feeling intense emotions beyond just physical attraction, like a spark of love.


The love of lust, directed at you
I am experiencing an intense attraction and desire for you.


Do you feel the same way too?
I am curious if you are feeling the same level of attraction and desire towards me.


Please tell me that you do
I am hoping that you will confirm your mutual attraction and desire for me.


They say it's better to have loved and lost than never loved at all
As stated earlier, it is better to experience love, even if it ends in heartbreak, than to never have loved at all.


You turn me on
You are able to arouse and excite me sexually.




Contributed by Penelope Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@antonioortiz1306

Better to have loved and lost than never loved at all 
Just love the lust you'll have the leap without the fall 
It's better to have loved and lost than never loved at all 
Just love the lust you'll have the leap without the fall

Your best friend asked if I am straight or gay 
I can understand the question when I dance this way 
Straight I said, he said that's ok 
Some other little something might be coming your way

A little while later and up you slide 
Sipping on your drink I'm making moves on the side 
I've got to impress her with my mating routine 
Show her something no new yorker will have ever seen

So I pull out the peacock knees of surprise 
She laughs and tells me that I'm spraying sweat in her eyes 
I apologise, stand still on the spot 
She puts her hand on my back and says wow you're hot

You turn me on
You turn me on 
You turn me on 
You turn me on
You turn me on 
You turn me on 
You turn me on
You turn me on 
You turn me on 
You turn me on

It's as clear as the ice melting in my glass 
there was no need for questions to be asked 
hear the how d'you do's, why d'you do's, political views, you've heard the news 
the oh my god it's different here, you have to tip with every beer 
It's clear, so little time to waste 
Make the move, haste post haste 
This is lust at first sight 
Lets knacker the night 'til it retreats to light

I'm in new york making out in the back of a cab 
and she's giving me her body to taste touch and grab 
I'm fulfilling a cliche: ticking a box 
Big apple, yellow cab, and an American fox 
The city driving past us block by block 
I never ever ever want this cliche to stop

Knowing that skyscrapers rise above 
I could of sworn I felt a crazy little surge of love 
The love of lust, directed at you 
Do you feel the same way too? 
Please tell me that you do 
and we can love lust the whole night through

They say it's better to have loved and lost than never loved at all 
Just love the lust you'll have the leap without the fall

They say it's better to have loved and lost than never loved at all 
Just love the lust you'll have the leap without the fall

They say it's better to have loved and lost than never loved at all 
Just love the lust you'll have the leap without the fall

They say it's better to have loved and lost than never loved at all 
Just love the lust you'll have the leap without the fall

You turn me on



All comments from YouTube:

@FroggyGizmo

Every sexuality somehow vibes with him. You cannot escape him no matter who you are

@pg-13otaku4

I’m a straight dude, but this video makes me question that tbh

@silvioliu362

I'm ace and also non-binary and right now I want to look like this.

@konstancjadrzewo488

As a lesbian, I agree.

@afirmanta6226

As a straight non-weeab00 I don't agree. Being straight weeab00 and just straight is a difference, and if you don't understand why then don't try cause you will most likely fail

@FroggyGizmo

@Afirmanta ok Chad

10 More Replies...

@anomienormie8126

I love that first part of the song where it implies the gay best friend and the straight girl have been eyeing the same man and one of them has to ask if he’s straight or gay.

@eileenheath1968

I have been there. An adorable gay guy and I were watching this really nice looking guy dance (think Pal Waaktarr from A-Ha) and kept trying to figure out who should ask him. I lost the toss but won the guy.

@rateeightx

But Imagine If He Was Bi. That's Be Inconvenient.

@Asupreme

@rate eightx how would it be inconvenient??

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