Paris 1919 (song)

1973 song by John Cale

"Paris 1919"

Song by John Cale
from the album  Paris 1919
Released| 25 February 1973 (1973-02-25)
Recorded| 1972–1973
Studio| Sunwest Studios (Los Angeles)
Genre|

* Baroque pop[1]
* chamber pop[2]

Length| 4:07
Label| Reprise
Songwriter(s)| John Cale
Producer(s)| Chris Thomas
Paris 1919 track listing

1. "Child's Christmas in Wales"
2. "Hanky Panky Nohow"
3. "The Endless Plain of Fortune"
4. "Andalucia"
5. "Macbeth"
6. "Paris 1919"
7. "Graham Greene"
8. "Half Past France"
9. "Antarctica Starts Here"

Official audio
"Paris 1919" on YouTube

"Paris 1919" is a song written by the Welsh musician John Cale. It was released as the sixth track on his third solo studio album of the same name (1973).

## Recording

[edit]

"Paris 1919" is the sixth song on Cale's third solo studio album, Paris 1919 (1973). The song's backing band was not credited until 2006 in the album's expanded version.[3] The meaning of the lyrics are unknown. Because of this, there are many interpretations of its meaning. Some think it represents a failed wedding during World War I. Others believe it just represents the feeling of the people after the First World War had ended, relieved it was over, but aware the problems were still there.[4]

## Alternate version

[edit]

In 2006, a reissue of Paris 1919 was released, featuring bonus tracks – rehearsals and alternate versions, and a hidden track (an instrumental of "Macbeth"). "Paris 1919" received two alternate versions, a string mix and a piano mix. The string mix replaced all the instruments with string instruments. It lasts 22 seconds longer. The piano mix on the other hand lasts a full 2 minutes and 2 seconds longer. It replaces all of the instruments with pianos. The song cuts off at the 4:22 mark and the remaining 1:47 is just silence.

## Release and critical reception

[edit]

Following Paris 1919's release in 1973, the reviews were mostly favourable. Rolling Stone compares "Paris 1919" to Harry Nilsson's "Mourning Glory Story".[5]

Let It Rock said the song, "begins with urgent cello cross-rhythms to tell the tale of a female ghost appearing out of a clock at irregular intervals, then erupts into a chorus of 'you're a ghost/La la la la/I'm the church and I'm come/To claim you with my iron drum' which is weirdly reminiscent of the Bee Gees' "New York Mining Disaster". The possibility of plagiarism doesn't arise because Cale is deliberately dealing with bizarre juxtapositions."[6]

Musikexpress named it the 351st greatest song of all time, calling it "lyrically demanding, melodically complex, kitsch-free baroque pop of the highest quality".[1]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b "Die 700 besten Songs aller Zeiten: Plätze 400 bis 351". Musikexpress. 24 March 2014.
2. ^ Segretto, Mike (2022). "1973". 33 1/3 Revolutions Per Minute - A Critical Trip Through the Rock LP Era, 1955–1999. Backbeat. pp. 282–283\. ISBN 9781493064601.
3. ^ Specktor, Matthew (2006). Paris 1919 (liner notes). John Cale (expanded ed.). Reprise Records/Rhino Records. 8122 74060 2.
4. ^ "John Cale - Paris 1919 Lyrics". Retrieved 2 February 2022.
5. ^ "John Cale Paris 1919 Album Review | Rolling Stone". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2 February 2022.
6. ^ Mick Gold. "John Cale: Paris 1919". Let It Rock.(Subscription required.)

* v
* t
* e

John Cale

Studio albums|

* Vintage Violence
* Church of Anthrax (with Terry Riley)
* The Academy in Peril
* Paris 1919
* Fear
* Slow Dazzle
* Helen of Troy
* Honi Soit
* Music for a New Society
* Caribbean Sunset
* Artificial Intelligence
* Words for the Dying
* Songs for Drella (with Lou Reed)
* Wrong Way Up (with Brian Eno)
* Last Day on Earth (with Bob Neuwirth)
* Walking on Locusts
* HoboSapiens
* blackAcetate
* Shifty Adventures in Nookie Wood
* M:FANS
* Mercy
* Poptical Illusion

Extended plays|

* Animal Justice
* 5 Tracks
* Extra Playful

Live albums|

* June 1, 1974 (with Kevin Ayers, Brian Eno and Nico)
* Sabotage/Live
* John Cale Comes Alive
* Even Cowgirls Get the Blues
* Fragments of a Rainy Season
* Le Bataclan '72 (with Lou Reed and Nico)
* Circus Live
* Live at Rockpalast

Soundtrack albums|

* Paris s'eveille - suivi d'autres compositions
* 23 Solo Pieces for La Naissance de L'Amour
* Eat/Kiss: Music for the Films by Andy Warhol
* Dance Music
* Process

Compilation albums|

* Guts
* Seducing Down the Door: A Collection 1970−1990
* Close Watch: An Introduction to John Cale
* The Island Years
* Gold
* New York in the 1960s: Sun Blindness Music
* Inside the Dream Syndicate, Vol. I: Day of Niagara
* Inside the Dream Syndicate, Vol. II: Dream Interpretation
* Inside the Dream Syndicate, Vol. III: Stainless Gamelan
* Conflict & Catalysis: Productions & Arrangements 1966−2006

Related articles|

* Discography
* Productions
* Filmography
* The Velvet Underground
* Theatre of Eternal Music

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