Marlene On The Wall
Vega Suzanne Lyrics
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All this to say, what's it to you?
Observe the blood, the rose tattoo
Of the fingerprints on me from you
Other evidence has shown
That you and I are still alone
We skirt around the danger zone
Marlene watches from the wall
Her mocking smile says it all
As the records the rise and fall
Of every soldier passing
But the only soldier now is me
I'm fighting things I cannot see
I think it's called my destiny
That I am changing
Marlene on the wall
I walk to your house in the afternoon
By the butcher's shop with the sawdust strewn
Don't give away the goods too soon
Is what she might have told me
And I tried so hard to resist
When you held me in your handsome fist
And reminded me of the night we kissed
And of why I should be leaving
Marlene watches from the wall
Her mocking smile says it all
As the records the rise and fall
Of every man who's been here
But the only one here now is me
I'm fighting things I cannot see
I think it's called my destiny
That I am changing
Marlene on the wall
The lyrics to Vega Suzanne's song Marlene On The Wall are enigmatic and open to interpretation. The song seems to be discussing a complicated relationship between two people, possibly the singer and someone else. The singer mentions being in love with this person but also wants to know what significance their love holds for the other person. The evidence of their relationship is in the form of fingerprints and tattoos.
The lyrics mention the danger zone, and the two of them avoiding talking about it. It is unclear what danger is being referred to - it could be the danger of getting too close or the danger of moving too far apart. Marlene is mentioned throughout the song, watching from the wall with a mocking smile, recording the rise and fall of every soldier who passes. This could represent the fleeting nature of love and relationships, with Marlene being a symbol of someone who has experienced the highs and lows of love.
The singer feels like they are the only one fighting in the relationship, as if they are battling against something they cannot see. They believe that this is their destiny, and that they are changing because of it. Overall, the song seems to be an introspective examination of a complicated relationship, with the singer questioning their own feelings and struggles.
Line by Line Meaning
Even if I am in love with you
Although I have strong feelings for you
All this to say, what's it to you?
What's the point of me saying this to you?
Observe the blood, the rose tattoo
Notice the physical evidence of our intimacy
Of the fingerprints on me from you
I still carry your touch with me
Other evidence has shown
Other signs indicate
That you and I are still alone
Despite our connection, we are separated
We skirt around the danger zone
We avoid the risky situations
And don't talk about it later
We avoid discussing these experiences afterwards
Marlene watches from the wall
An anonymous observer (or the idea of an observer) witnesses our actions
Her mocking smile says it all
This observer seems to be amused by our struggles
As the records the rise and fall
As this observer keeps track of our successes and failures
Of every soldier passing
Of every person who has gone through similar experiences
But the only soldier now is me
I am the only one currently fighting this battle
I'm fighting things I cannot see
I am struggling against abstract emotions or forces
I think it's called my destiny
I believe this struggle is predetermined
That I am changing
This struggle is causing me to develop and grow
I walk to your house in the afternoon
I make a journey to see you during the daytime
By the butcher's shop with the sawdust strewn
Passing by a messy and unpleasant location
Don't give away the goods too soon
Don't reveal too much about yourself too quickly
Is what she might have told me
This is what this observer may have advised me
And I tried so hard to resist
I struggled to avoid giving in to my attractions
When you held me in your handsome fist
When you exercised your power over me with your looks and actions
And reminded me of the night we kissed
And brought up the memory of a significant moment
And of why I should be leaving
And of the reasons why this situation is not good for me
As the records the rise and fall
As this observer tracks the ups and downs of this situation
Of every man who's been here
Of every person who has gone through similar experiences before
But the only one here now is me
I am alone in this current moment
I'm fighting things I cannot see
I am battling against invisible challenges
I think it's called my destiny
I believe this struggle is meant to happen to me
That I am changing
This experience is causing me to transform and evolve
Marlene on the wall
The figure of Marlene watching is ever-present in the singer's mind
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: SUZANNE VEGA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind