Song Meaning

The lyrics paint a picture of a long-distance relationship, with the narrator in London and their lover in Paris, yearning for a meeting. The proposed rendezvous spot, "somewhere near Marseilles," suggests a desire for a neutral, accessible location that’s not too committed, hinting at a tentative approach to intimacy. This geographical distance mirrors an emotional one, as the narrator grapples with a fear of love, repeatedly asking for "something strong enough" to overcome it. The repeated plea "Say I'm not the only one" underscores a deep-seated insecurity and a need for reassurance in the face of potential vulnerability. The central tension lies in the push and pull of desire versus apprehension. The narrator wants to connect, proposing a "rendezvous vacay" and offering to "give it to you" with a "room with a view." Yet, this eagerness is tempered by the cautious refrain, "Let's go fast, then go slow, not too far, not too close." This careful calibration reveals an attempt to manage the intensity of the connection, perhaps to avoid getting hurt or overwhelmed. The shift in the final chorus, where "love too far, love too close" replaces the earlier lines, directly links this cautious approach to the very act of loving. The most striking craft element is the juxtaposition of specific locations with abstract emotional states. London and Paris ground the narrative in a tangible reality, while "somewhere near Marseilles" becomes a metaphor for a liminal space, a place of potential connection that remains undefined and uncommitted. The repetition of "Give me something strong enough" and "Say I'm not the only one" acts as a mantra, highlighting the narrator's internal struggle and their desperate need for external validation. The imagery of "twilight" and "sunshine," appearing in quick succession, further emphasizes this duality, suggesting a constant oscillation between hope and uncertainty, light and shadow. Ultimately, the effectiveness of these lyrics stems from their honest portrayal of ambivalence in relationships. The narrator isn't simply expressing desire or fear; they are articulating the complex, often contradictory feelings that arise when navigating intimacy, especially after experiencing past hurt. The carefully chosen phrases, like "easy access" and the measured pace of "fast, then go slow," reveal a sophisticated understanding of emotional self-preservation. It’s this nuanced depiction of wanting connection while simultaneously guarding oneself that makes the song resonate, capturing the delicate balance required to open up to love.

宇多田ヒカル (Hikaru Utada) - Electronic, Pop

Somewhere Near Marseilles (マルセイユ辺り)

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[宇多田ヒカル「マルセイユ辺り」歌詞] [Refrain] Give me something (give me something) strong enough Give me something (give me something) strong enough Maybe I'm a- fraid of love Say I'm not the only one, only one Say I'm not the, only one Say I'm not the only one, only one Say I'm not the, only one Say I'm not the only one, only one [Pre-Chorus] I'm in London, you're in Paris So shall we try to plan a rendezvous vacay? We can take a spot with easy access Maybe somewhere near Marseilles Somewhere near Marseilles (Yeah, yeah) [Chorus] Let's go fast Then go slow Not too far Not too close [Refrain] Give me something (give me something) strong enough Give me something (give me something) strong enough Maybe I'm a- fraid of love Say I'm not the only one, only one Say I'm not the, only one Say I'm not the only one, only one Say I'm not the, only one Say I'm not the only one, only one [Post-Refrain] In the twilight In the sunshine In the twilight In the sunshine [Verse] ぼくはロンドン、君はパリこの夏合流したいね行きやすいとこがいいねマルセイユ辺り Somewhere near Marseilles, yeah, yeah [Pre-Chorus] I'm in London, you're in Paris So shall we try to plan a rendezvous vacay? We can take a spot with easy access Maybe somewhere near Marseilles Somewhere near Marseilles, yeah, yeah [Chorus] Let's go fast Then go slow Not too far Not too close [Post-Chorus] I'm gonna give it to you I'll get a room with a view I'm gonna give it to you I'll get a room with a view I'm gonna give it to you I'll get a room with a view I'm gonna give it to you I'll get a room with a view [Chorus] Let's go fast Then go slow Love too far Love too close [Bridge] オーシャンビューの部屋一つオーシャンビュー予約オーシャンビューの部屋一つ予約予約 [Instrumental Break] [Post-Chorus] I'm gonna give it to you I'll get a room with a view I'm gonna give it to you I'll get a room with a view I'm gonna give it to you I'll get a room with a view I'm gonna give it to you I'll get a room with a view [Chorus] Let's go fast Then go slow Not too far Not too close [Post-Chorus] I'm gonna give it to you I'll get a room with a view I'm gonna give it to you I'll get a room with a view I'm gonna give it to you I'll get a room with a view I'm gonna give it to you I'll get a room with a view [Chorus] Let's go fast Then go slow Not too far Not too close [Post-Chorus] I'm gonna give it to you I'll get a room with a view I'm gonna give it to you I'll get a room with a view I'm gonna give it to you I'll get a room with a view I'm gonna give it to you I'll get a room with a view [Chorus] Let's go fast Then go slow Not too far Not too close [Post-Chorus] I'm gonna give it to you I'll get a room with a view I'm gonna give it to you I'll get a room with a view I'm gonna give it to you I'll get a room with a view I'm gonna give it to you I'll get a room with a view

Credits

Writers: Floating Points
宇多田ヒカル (Hikaru Utada)

Somewhere Near Marseilles (マルセイユ辺り)

Somewhere Near Marseilles (マルセイユ辺り)

Lyrics

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Credits