Come Back From San Fransisco
The Magnetic Fields Lyrics


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Come back from San Francisco
It can't be all that pretty
When all of New York City misses you
Should pretty boys in discos
Distract you from your novel
Remember I'm awful in love with you

You need me like the wind needs the trees
To blow in like the moon needs poetry
You need me

Come back from San Francisco
And kiss me, I've quit smoking
I miss doing the wild thing with you
Will you stay? I don't think so
But all I do is worry
Pack bags, call cabs, and hurry home to me

You need me like the wind needs the trees
To blow in like the moon needs poetry
You need me

You need me like the wind needs the trees
To blow in like the moon needs poetry
You need me





When you betray me, betray me with a kiss
Damn you, I've never stayed up as late as this

Overall Meaning

The Magnetic Fields' song "Come Back From San Francisco" is a plea for a lover to return to New York City. The singer is longing for their partner, who left for San Francisco, but the singer feels that the city can't be all that pretty if it's keeping their lover away from them. The singer acknowledges that there may be pretty boys and discos in San Francisco that distract their lover, but reminds them that they are awful in love with them.


In the chorus, the singer emphasizes how much their lover needs them, using poetic imagery: like the wind needs the trees, and the moon needs poetry. The second verse consists of the singer asking their lover to return and kiss them, now that they have quit smoking. They miss being intimate with them, and even though they don't think their lover will stay, they worry and hope that they will come back to them. The song ends with the singer wishing that if their lover were to betray them, it would be with a kiss.


Overall, the song is a melancholic, understated love song that explores the complexities of relationships and the desperation of longing for someone who has left. It showcases The Magnetic Fields' signature dry, witty lyricism and distinctive musical style.


Line by Line Meaning

Come back from San Francisco
Please return from your trip to San Francisco


It can't be all that pretty
I doubt San Francisco is actually that great


When all of New York City misses you
I'm not the only one who wishes you were here


Should pretty boys in discos
If you're distracted by attractive men at clubs


Distract you from your novel
And that stops you from working on your writing


Remember I'm awful in love with you
Just remember how much I love you


You need me like the wind needs the trees
You require my presence as much as nature needs essential elements


To blow in like the moon needs poetry
Like the moon needs creative expression


Come back from San Francisco
Please come back


And kiss me, I've quit smoking
Kiss me and notice that I stopped smoking


I miss doing the wild thing with you
I miss having intimate experiences with you


Will you stay? I don't think so
I don't believe you will stay long


But all I do is worry
But I can't help but be anxious


Pack bags, call cabs, and hurry home to me
Please pack your things, arrange transportation, and come back to me quickly


When you betray me, betray me with a kiss
If you betray me, at least do it with affection


Damn you, I've never stayed up as late as this
You've kept me up later than ever before




Lyrics © ROUGH TRADE PUBLISHING, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Stephin Raymond Merritt

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

Dangermoose2000

Tune deserves more love

Sparrow

anyone here cause of teo?

Sparrow

@Dillan nah check his vid 'My channel is being overtaken'

Dillan

Wrong song bud

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