Josephine
Tori Amos (Тори Эймос) Lyrics
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In an army's strength therein
Lies the denouement. From
Here you're haunting me. By
The Seine so beautiful, only
Not to be of use, impossible.
So strange, victory, 1200 spires
The only sound, moscow burning.
Vienna seems, only not to be of use- impossible.
In the last extremity, to
Advance or not to advance, I
Hear you laughing
Even still you're calling me
"not tonight, not tonight
Not tonight"
Josephine
The lyrics of "Josephine" by Tori Amos seem to be a reflection on the past and the present, where the singer is haunted by the memory of Josephine. With the line "not tonight Josephine," the singer seems to be rejecting the idea of rekindling a relationship with Josephine. The reference to an army's strength perhaps represents the power dynamics in their relationship, with the denouement (or final outcome) being that the singer is still haunted by the memories of the past. The Seine, with its haunting beauty, could represent the memory of a beautiful love that can no longer be salvaged. The line "so strange, victory, 1200 spires" perhaps refers to the feeling of nostalgia combined with the overwhelming beauty of a place like Paris. Meanwhile, Moscow burning represents destruction and chaos. The final line "not tonight, not tonight, not tonight Josephine" reveals that the singer is resolved to resist the temptation of rekindling the past relationship with Josephine, even if she seems to be calling out to her.
Line by Line Meaning
Not tonight josephine.
Not right now, Josephine.
In an army's strength therein
In the power of an army lies
Lies the denouement. From
The ultimate outcome is determined by
Here you're haunting me. By
You're still with me in spirit. Beside
The Seine so beautiful, only
The picturesque Seine river is lovely, but
Not to be of use, impossible.
It's impossible for it to be helpful to me.
So strange, victory, 1200 spires
It's a strange thing, victory with its 1200 spires
The only sound, moscow burning.
The only noise was the fire that consumed Moscow.
Empty like the Tuileries. Like a dream
The Tuileries are deserted, like a dream
Vienna seems, only not to be of use- impossible.
Vienna appears as if it'll be useful, but it's impossible.
In the last extremity, to
At the brink, do we
Advance or not to advance, I
Choose to advance or not to advance, as
Hear you laughing
I can hear you laughing at me
Even still you're calling me
You're still calling out to me
"not tonight, not tonight
"Not now, not tonight
Not tonight"
"Not this evening"
Josephine
Josephine
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BURKE BIVENS, GUS KAHN, WAYNE KING
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind