Vincent Gallo (born Buffalo, New York 11 April 1961) is an Italian American… Read Full Bio ↴Vincent Gallo (born Buffalo, New York 11 April 1961) is an Italian American movie actor and director starring in a number of independent movies, notably Buffalo '66 and The Brown Bunny. Musically, his work can be devoid of grandeur and often absent are "pop" aesthetics of strict meter, tempo, or modern recording techniques. Gallo instead focuses on mood, gesture and adds elements of early 20th century style.

From soft mellotron melodies to meandering guitar lines, his music either guides the listener through frameworks of simple motives, rhythms and sounds; or he presents almost archetypical song structures. Lyrics like, Laura, Laura, come back are repeated, establishing a mood and confessional qualities. His weary, effeminate voice can be guileless - a contrast to his usual character in the media.

His darker qualities can still be heard in songs like Ass Fucker (Reprise) and in the awkward harmonies of A Picture of Her. However they still sit next to the hazy tones accompanying the words, Goodnight baby/sleep tight/you and me.

When
Vincent Gallo Lyrics

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Doo do doo do doo do doo
Do doo do doo

When you come near to me
I go away
What is not clear for me
I go away
What is not here for me

I go away
I go away
I go away

Doo do doo do doo do doo
Do doo do doo

Doo do doo do doo do doo
Do doo do doo

Doo do doo do doo do doo
Do doo do doo

When you come near to me
I go away
When things are clear to me
I go away
What is not here for me
I go away
I go away
I go away

Doo do doo do doo do doo
Do doo do doo

Doo do doo do doo do doo
Do doo do doo

Doo do doo do doo do doo
Do doo do doo

Overall Meaning

Vincent Gallo's song "When" is a brief but evocative song about the complicated emotions that arise when the person you love is around. The song is minimalistic with simple lyrics and a repetitive melody that reflects the duality of emotions experienced by the singer. The song's central line, "When you come near to me, I go away" expresses the push and pull that happens between two people in a relationship, particularly when one feels overwhelmed by the other's presence.

The singer is saying that when the person is near to them, they feel confused and uncertain about their feelings, causing them to leave. As much as they want to stay, they cannot because they are struggling to make sense of their emotions. The lyrics "What is not clear for me, I go away" suggests that the person cannot make sense of their feelings, and as such, they shut down and leave.

The song's repetition reinforces the message of the lyrics, with the melody rising and falling as though the person is caught in a cycle of emotions that they cannot break free from. The song's simple structure is both melancholic and catchy, leaving the listener pondering over the complex emotions and the struggle to express them.

Line by Line Meaning

When you come near to me
Whenever somebody gets close to him

I go away
He distances himself from that person

What is not clear for me
If he doesn't understand something

I go away
He moves away from that situation

What is not here for me
If he doesn't have something

I go away
He literally goes away from that scenario

I go away
He persists in distancing himself

When things are clear to me
If he understands something

What is not here for me
If he doesn't possess something

I go away
He moves away from that entity

I go away
He continues to distance himself