Paris, Texas

[Elle]

I went to Paris (Texas)

With a suitcase in my hand

I had to leave

Knew they wouldn’t understand

 

When you know, you know

When you know, you know

It’s time, it’s time to go

When you know, you know

Then the more you know

It’s time to go

 

I took a train to Spain

Just a notebook in my hand

And I went to see some friends of mine

Down in Florence, Alabama

 

When you know, you know

When you know, you know

It’s time, it’s time to go

When you know, you know

That it’s time to leave

Like the summer breeze

 

When everyone’s star is bright

Brighter than you are

It’s time to go

And you’re the only one left

Dancing while they’re on the floor

Time to go

 

I flew back home

It seems everything’s the same

(Venice, California)

Except that you weren’t home

Hello, I called to know why (but)

 

When you’re home, you’re home

(Venice, California)

When you’re home, you’re home

(Venice, California)

You’re home when you’re alone

 

When you’re right, you’re right

When you’re right, you’re right

Even when you’re wrong

[kraljicabenzinske]

she's so real for that

[ShadesOfViolence]

that's deep

[emliqua]

Can it be March 24th already 

[The Missing Shade of Blue]

If you get it, you get it. If you don't, you don't.

[The Siren]

[Flowerbomb]

Spoiler

I went to Paris (Texas) with a suitcase in my hand

I had to leave

Knew they wouldn't understand

 

When you know, you know

When you know, you know

It's time, it's time to go

When you know, you know

Then the more you know

It's time to go

 

I took a train to Spain (?)

Just a notebook in my hand
And I went to see some friends of mine

down in Florence, Alabama

 

When you know, you know

When you know, you know

It's time, it's time to go

When you know, you know

That it's time to leave

like the summer breeze

 

When everyone's stars bright

Brighter than you are

It's time to go

And you're the only one left

Dancing while (?)

Time to go

 

I flew back home

It seems everything's the same (?)

Except that you aren't home

Hello I call to no one

 

When you're home, you're home

When you're home, you're home

You're home when you're alone (?)

When you're right, you're right

When you're right, you're right

Even when you're wrong

 

[Cherry Blossom]

Spoiler

i think this will end up being my fave. the lack of lyrics and the time between each verse really drives home the fact she feels really left behind and doesn’t really know where she fits 

 

[Let the Light In]

I'll write it here too. I love the story she's telling with these city names belonging to a different country

 

Paris, Texas

Florence, Alabama

Venice, California

 

in a song where she questions if she belongs to that place or not

 

Most American cities were founded in the 18th or 19th centuries by immigrants from Europe. They chose names that reminded them of their home. She uses these city names that belong somewhere in parallel to her feeling of not belonging to somewhere and her quest to find her home.

[one time beauty queen]

sooo sweet omg 

 

[Cannes]

Paris, Texas is an instant favorite. To me, it's a very bittersweet song, for some reason it makes me very melancolic... It's like a lullaby, so soft, makes my want to wander in the Great Plains at the sunset, or in Roma... Maybe that's just me tho. Also loving her high pitched voice 

[Roll With me]

Not sure, but I assume when she says she took a trip to Spain with just a notebook in her hands she's referring to when she was sent to Spain for a few months when she was 15/16 and couldn't go home after boarding school.

[syrup amour]

Definitely one of my favorites, so bittersweet. I just know I’ll sit and listen to it on rainy autumn days, but also during spring and summer. It’s finding acceptance and solace in being alone manifested into a song.

 

I’ve thought of the lyrics these past say, and I definitely agree with what has been said. I just find her choices of cities so interesting:

 

Paris, Texas

Florence, Alabama

Venice, California

 

There are many parallels and double meanings. This is a song about finding yourself and your home, even if you’re leaving something behind. The way immigrants left their homes in Europe to find new ones in America. She knew she had leave, just as they did, she just didn’t know when or how she would find what she was searching for. “I wanted to leave” (the original song title may SYML) and the lyrics “when you know it’s time to go.”

 

Show sings about many moments in her life, she has left so many things behind. I just know she’s referring to her moving to Alabama and Spain. I also think she’s referring to the movie and her photo shoot in 2010 before her fame, in a time of uncertainty. 
 

There are probably things I have missed and will realize with time, but I just love this song, it’s so well written and multidimensional.

[Enco]

This was at the end of my ranking now it’s one of my favorites such a magical song 

[Coney Island King]

The way this has creeped into my all time top 10 from her.

[honey dew]

This song surprised me the most out of all of them. The waltz rhythm is so touching and the melody is like a little ballerina dancing around the song. Lyrics are simple and phenomenal. And that bridge... It's actually a perfect song to me  

[Velours]

I had my eye on this song due to the title being the same as the Wim Wenders film. It reminds me so much of Jane's monologue during that scene in the peepshow cabine, the isolation, disappointments and unfulfilled intimacy.

[Genesee]

although the lyric imagery doesn't match it at all, i picture a beautiful forest that sings with life when i listen to this song. the piano is just so gorgeous 

[wilting daisy]

even listening closely with my good headphones, i still can't hear "i took a train to spain" i swear its "i took a train this way"

[Let the Light In]

24 minutes ago, wilting daisy said:

even listening closely with my good headphones, i still can't hear "i took a train to spain" i swear its "i took a train this way"

 

I think you're right and it makes more sense in the context of the song.