Sunset City
The Magnetic Fields Lyrics


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Well I don't care what people say
Life is too short to hang around
So I stay so long in a place
And then move on to the next town

Oh Sunset City
I've got to see the world
Don't hold me too tightly
Don't whisper my name
Sad-eyed baby
I'm not that kind of girl
When the dice stop rolling
There's no more to the game

When the time comes to say goodbye

And in the morning I'll be gone
For other towns and other lives
I'll catch the first train, bag in hand
And I won't miss you, and you won't cry

Oh Sunset City
I've got to see the world
Don't hold me too tightly
Don't whisper my name
Sad-eyed baby
I'm not that kind of girl
When the dice stop rolling
There's no more to the game





When the time comes to say goodbye

Overall Meaning

The Magnetic Fields' song Sunset City is a reflection on the need for change and to take risks in one's life. The singer begins by stating that they do not care what people say, as they believe life is too short to stay in one place for too long. The lyrics depict the singer's desire to see the world, and they will not let anything, or anyone, hold them back.


The chorus repeats: "Oh Sunset City, I’ve got to see the world, don’t hold me too tightly, don’t whisper my name, sad-eyed baby, I’m not that kind of girl, when the dice stop rolling, there’s no more to the game." This chorus acts as a kind of mantra for the singer's desire to live life on their own terms, free from constraints.


The song concludes with the singer declaring that they will be moving on, catching the first train to the next town, without looking back. "When the time comes to say goodbye, and in the morning I'll be gone, for other towns and other lives, I'll catch the first train, bag in hand, and I won't miss you, and you won't cry."


Overall, Sunset City encourages the listener to take risks and seek adventure, to not be held back by the opinions of others, and to live life to the fullest.


Line by Line Meaning

Well I don't care what people say
I don't let other people's opinions affect my life


Life is too short to hang around
Life is too precious to waste in the same place forever


So I stay so long in a place
I stay in a place for a while, but not forever


And then move on to the next town
I move onto the next place to explore and experience


Oh Sunset City
Oh beautiful city, where I'm currently residing


I've got to see the world
I have an urge to explore the world


Don't hold me too tightly
Don't try to keep me from leaving


Don't whisper my name
Don't try to call me back


Sad-eyed baby
You may be sad, but I'm still going


I'm not that kind of girl
I'm not the type to settle down and stay in one place


When the dice stop rolling
When things come to an end


There's no more to the game
There's nothing left to do but move on


And in the morning I'll be gone
I will have left and moved on to a new location by morning


For other towns and other lives
I'm searching for new experiences in different places


I'll catch the first train, bag in hand
I'll leave as soon as possible, with nothing holding me back


And I won't miss you, and you won't cry
I won't look back, and neither should you


When the time comes to say goodbye
When it's time to move on and say farewell




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

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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