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Take back the city for yourself tonight
Or I'll take back the city for me
Take back the city for yourself tonight
Whoa
God knows you put your life into it's hands
And it's both cradled you and crushed
But now it's time to make your own demands
Whoa
All these years later and it's killing me
Your broken records in words
Ten thousand craters where it all should be
Whoa
No need to put your words into my mouth
Don't need convincing at all
I love this place enough to know I have no doubts
Whoa
It's a mess, it's a start
It's a flawed work of art
Your city, your a call
Every crack, every wall
Pick a side, pick a fight
Get your epitaph right
You can sing, 'til you drop
Cause the fun just never stops
[Chorus]
I love this city tonight
I love this city always
It bears it's teeth like a light
And spits me out after day's
But we're all gluttons for it
We know what's wrong and it's right
For every time it's been hit
Take back the city tonight
Tell me you never wanted more than this
And I will stop talking now
One perfect partner, one eternal kiss
Whoa
Take back the city for yourself tonight
Or I'll take back the city for me
Take back the city for yourself tonight
Whoa
It's a mess, it's a start
It's a flawed work of art
Your city, your call
Every crack, every wall
Pick a side, pick a fight
Get your epitaph right
You can sing, 'til you drop
Cause the fun just never stops
[Chorus: x2]
I love this city tonight
I love this city always
Or I'll take back the city for me
Take back the city for yourself tonight
Whoa
God knows you put your life into it's hands
And it's both cradled you and crushed
But now it's time to make your own demands
Whoa
All these years later and it's killing me
Your broken records in words
Ten thousand craters where it all should be
Whoa
No need to put your words into my mouth
Don't need convincing at all
I love this place enough to know I have no doubts
Whoa
It's a mess, it's a start
It's a flawed work of art
Your city, your a call
Every crack, every wall
Pick a side, pick a fight
Get your epitaph right
You can sing, 'til you drop
Cause the fun just never stops
[Chorus]
I love this city tonight
I love this city always
It bears it's teeth like a light
And spits me out after day's
But we're all gluttons for it
We know what's wrong and it's right
For every time it's been hit
Take back the city tonight
Tell me you never wanted more than this
And I will stop talking now
One perfect partner, one eternal kiss
Whoa
Take back the city for yourself tonight
Or I'll take back the city for me
Take back the city for yourself tonight
Whoa
It's a mess, it's a start
It's a flawed work of art
Your city, your call
Every crack, every wall
Pick a side, pick a fight
Get your epitaph right
You can sing, 'til you drop
Cause the fun just never stops
[Chorus: x2]
I love this city tonight
I love this city always
Lyrics submitted by dustfinger, edited by mentalism
Track duration: 04:43
"Take Back the City" as written by Gary Lightbody, Nathan Connolly, Jonathan Graham Quinn, Tom Simpson, Paul Wilson
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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"All these years later and it's killing me/ Your broken records and words." Lightbody explained: "This bit alludes to the not-so-good days. The broken records and words are the politicians saying no. The scars of conflict are still there, but Belfast is regenerating so rapidly. It's a fully functional, vibrant, European city these days."
"Pick a side, pick a fight, but get your epitaph right." Lightbody explained: "I patently don't understand the history of the conflict because I don't understand why anyone would want to fight, and this line refers to that. I'm not fighting anyone for anything, because I don't hate anyone."
"I love this city tonight, I love this city always/ It bares its teeth like a light, and spits me out after days." Lightbody explained: "Going out in Belfast is very more-ish and I'm a moth to the flame of it. The music scene is growing at a ludicrous rate and I can usually be found checking out one of a dozen great new bands."
"Tell me you never wanted more than this? And I will stop talking now." Lightbody explained: "It wouldn't be one of my songs without a line like that! It's a modern love story in the blink of an eye. In a wider sense, the album is all about being in love, which is a change for me."
I agree with what others have said--the 'city' is a metaphor for a relationship that's not going great, but the couple is still in love with each other. I think that the idea of taking back the city means taking control of the relationship and not letting it spiral down.
It's a song that's very relevant to my life right now, I think that's why I've been really into Snow Patrol lately.
The video and the lyrics mean to me how you can get lost in one big noisy city like New York, and by lost i mean roam and walk without concerning about your problems and just enjoying the endless beauty of the city night lights.
Big cities have unfold houndreds of love stories.
another teen cliche is right, this song is inspired by Belfast, where i also live. The 'pick a side pick a fight', could be to do with the religious problems that are sometimes experienced in N.I but Lightbody also talks about how he adores it, "i love this city tonight, i love this city always" and "were all gluttons for it."
The first time i listened to this i was unsure if i liked it or not, but the more i listened to it, the more i liked it (like shookem) and i now think its a really good song and i wish sp all the best with their new album,
A Hundred Million Suns is such a good album.
it certianly fits with the problems AND joys of Belfast,