In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
(Won't, won't let the city, won't, won't let the city)
Won't let the city destroy our love
Won't let the city destroy our love
You know I
I hate to see you cry
But when you open up to me
I take you in my arms
Wish you the top, top, top, top of the morning
No, I
don't care about cash or careers
Your losses or your arrears
I take you in my arms
Wish you the top, top, top, top of the morning
I
Won't let the city destroy our love
Won't let the city destroy my love
Won't let no mistake take the roof from off our heads
No I
Won't let this city destroy us
Won't let the city destroy our love
(Come on)
Talk to me
Let me shed some light on your dark
Help you see
How darling you've left your mark
On my life
And the beautiful all around
When I see you, top, top, top, top of the morning
I was lost
Until that night we kissed
Give it up
A life, oh darling, not this
You want more
Than the hell this city lets you down
When I see you, top, top, top, top of the morning
I
Won't let the city destroy our love
Won't let the city destroy my love
Won't let no mistake take the roof from off our heads
No I
Won't let this city destroy us
Won't let the city destroy our love
Won't let the city destroy our love
Won't let the city destroy my love
Won't let no mistake take the roof from off our heads
No I
Won't let this city destroy us
Won't let the city destroy our love
(Won't let the city, won't, won't let this city)
No, no, no, no
Not about the debts you made
The car we never had
The house we never owned
Darling don't look so sad
It's about that day we kissed
Down by Niagara Falls
It's about the keys, the keys, the keys to my heart you hold
(Top, top, top, top of the morning to you)
Won't let the city destroy our love
Won't let the city destroy my love
Won't let no mistake take the roof from off our heads
No I
Won't let this city destroy us
Won't let the city destroy our love
Won't let the city destroy our love
Won't let the city destroy my love
Won't let no mistake take the roof from off our heads
No I
Won't let this city destroy us
Won't let the city destroy our love
(Won't let the city, won't, won't let the city)
Won't let no mistake take the roof from off our heads
No I
Won't let this city destroy us
Won't let the city destroy our love
Won't let the city destroy our love
Won't let the city destroy our love
You know I
I hate to see you cry
But when you open up to me
I take you in my arms
Wish you the top, top, top, top of the morning
No, I
don't care about cash or careers
Your losses or your arrears
I take you in my arms
Wish you the top, top, top, top of the morning
I
Won't let the city destroy our love
Won't let the city destroy my love
Won't let no mistake take the roof from off our heads
No I
Won't let this city destroy us
Won't let the city destroy our love
(Come on)
Talk to me
Let me shed some light on your dark
Help you see
How darling you've left your mark
On my life
And the beautiful all around
When I see you, top, top, top, top of the morning
I was lost
Until that night we kissed
Give it up
A life, oh darling, not this
You want more
Than the hell this city lets you down
When I see you, top, top, top, top of the morning
I
Won't let the city destroy our love
Won't let the city destroy my love
Won't let no mistake take the roof from off our heads
No I
Won't let this city destroy us
Won't let the city destroy our love
Won't let the city destroy our love
Won't let the city destroy my love
Won't let no mistake take the roof from off our heads
No I
Won't let this city destroy us
Won't let the city destroy our love
(Won't let the city, won't, won't let this city)
No, no, no, no
Not about the debts you made
The car we never had
The house we never owned
Darling don't look so sad
It's about that day we kissed
Down by Niagara Falls
It's about the keys, the keys, the keys to my heart you hold
(Top, top, top, top of the morning to you)
Won't let the city destroy our love
Won't let the city destroy my love
Won't let no mistake take the roof from off our heads
No I
Won't let this city destroy us
Won't let the city destroy our love
Won't let the city destroy our love
Won't let the city destroy my love
Won't let no mistake take the roof from off our heads
No I
Won't let this city destroy us
Won't let the city destroy our love
(Won't let the city, won't, won't let the city)
Won't let no mistake take the roof from off our heads
No I
Won't let this city destroy us
Won't let the city destroy our love
Lyrics submitted by tonightwefly
The City Lyrics as written by Patrick Wolf
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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I was lost Until that night we kissed Give it up A life, oh darling, not this You want more Than the hell this city lets you down
i don't think this is correct. i hear:
i was lost until that night we kissed given up on life oh darling know this you're worth more than how this city lets you down
From the cd booklet,
"I was lost until that night We kissed, given up On life so darling Know this, you're Worth more than How this city let you Down, Want to see you Top, top, top, Top of the morning'
:)
This song is probably about Los Angeles. Especially with the lines "No, I don't care about cash or careers, Your losses or your arrears" I feel like he's pinpointing the problematic nature of the rampant materialism and superficiality of LA that can destroy so many basic human natural qualities, especially love. And it's true that this can happen in ANY city, and it DOES happen in every city, but I feel that it's especially true for LA (and the music video was filmed at Santa Monica Beach) since it's the land of "glamour and fame" when really it's mainly comprised of soul-sucking desperate and sad people.
I think this song may be about the time that Patrick and his boyfriend were beaten up by the police for kissing at a concert. "Won't let the city destroy our love"- means that he's not going to let the society of that place tear them apart of make them feel ashamed of who they are. I think it's a beautiful song because it's about Patrick trying to encourage the one he loves not to give up.