Manhattan Lyrics
[Verse 1]
You can have Manhattan
I know it’s for the best
I’ll gather up the avenues
And leave them on your doorstep
I’ll tip toe away
So you won’t have to say
You heard me leave
[Verse 2]
You can have Manhattan
I know it’s what you want
The bustle and the buildings
The weather in the fall
And I’ll bow out of place
To save you some space
For somebody new
[Chorus]
You can have Manhattan
'Cause I can’t have you
Oh
[Verse 3]
You can have Manhattan
The one we used to share
The one where we were laughing
And drunk on just being there
Hang onto the reverie
Could you do that for me?
'Cause I’m just too sad to
You can have Manhattan
I know it’s for the best
I’ll gather up the avenues
And leave them on your doorstep
I’ll tip toe away
So you won’t have to say
You heard me leave
[Verse 2]
You can have Manhattan
I know it’s what you want
The bustle and the buildings
The weather in the fall
And I’ll bow out of place
To save you some space
For somebody new
[Chorus]
You can have Manhattan
'Cause I can’t have you
Oh
[Verse 3]
You can have Manhattan
The one we used to share
The one where we were laughing
And drunk on just being there
Hang onto the reverie
Could you do that for me?
'Cause I’m just too sad to
[Chorus]
You can have Manhattan
'Cause I can't have you
[Bridge]
And so it goes
One foot after the other
'Til black and white begin to color in
And I know
That holding us in place
Is simply fear of what’s already changed
[Verse 4]
You can have Manhattan
I’ll settle for the beach
And sunsets facing westward
With sand beneath my feet
I’ll wish this away
This missing the days
When I was one half of two
[Chorus]
You can have Manhattan
'Cause I can’t have you
Oh
You can have Manhattan
'Cause I can't have you
[Bridge]
And so it goes
One foot after the other
'Til black and white begin to color in
And I know
That holding us in place
Is simply fear of what’s already changed
[Verse 4]
You can have Manhattan
I’ll settle for the beach
And sunsets facing westward
With sand beneath my feet
I’ll wish this away
This missing the days
When I was one half of two
[Chorus]
You can have Manhattan
'Cause I can’t have you
Oh
About
Genius Annotation
“Manhattan” appears as the fourth track on The Blessed Unrest. The piano ballad focuses on Sara Bareilles' break-up with her guitarist, Javier Dunn, and subsequent move to Manhattan from Los Angeles. The song is from his perspective. She credits it as one her most emotional songs.
During a concert at Radio City Music Hall
Bareilles said,
…I wrote this song in an afternoon weeping like a fucking baby. Part of my story of last year was leaving a long relationship. And in which sort of the city that we had shared became a solitary adventure.
Q&A
Find answers to frequently asked questions about the song and explore its deeper meaning
- 1.Brave
- 3.Hercules
- 4.Manhattan
- 7.Cassiopeia
- 8.1000 Times
- 9.I Choose You
- 10.Eden
- 11.Islands
- 12.December
- 14.Beautiful Girl
- 15.Parking Lot
- 16.Root Down
Credits
Producers
Writer
Horns Recorded By
Trombone
Trumpet
Alto Saxophone
Horns Arranged and Conducted by
Piano
Recorded At
Electric Lady (New York City, NY)
Release Date
May 13, 2013
Manhattan Covers
Manhattan Live Performances
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