"Paris, Tokyo" is a song by American rapper Lupe Fiasco, the sixth track from his second studio album, Lupe Fiasco's The Cool (2008). It was released as the album's third single on April 12, 2008. The song was co-written with producer Soundtrakk, and contains samples of "San Juan Sunset" by Deodato (1978). The accompanying music video was directed by Erik White. The official remix was released on September 22, 2008, featuring verses from Pharrell Williams, Q-Tip, and Sarah Green, along with new verses by Fiasco.[1]
Fiasco shared in an interview, "What inspired me to write the song was that between Food and Liquor and this album we travelled EVERYWHERE—multiple countries, multiple towns, multiple tours. […] And of course another side to it all is, when you travel, you leave people behind. So I actually wrote the song for my girl, 'cause I'd be gone so much we'd go for two months at a time without seeing each other. So it's basically her song. Just to let her know that, wherever I go, she comes with me—even if it is just mentally or in spirit."[2]
Background[]
Fiasco premiered the song live at 2007 Lollapalooza in Chicago. After his sophomore album Lupe Fiasco's The Cool was released in December 2007, the track "Paris, Tokyo" was serviced to contemporary radio stations as of April 3, 2008, and digitally dropped several days later on April 12th. It was written for his then-girlfriend, who also appears in the music video.
At the time, Fiasco had faced controversy in October 2007 for what was dubbed as Fiascogate, where he forgot the lyrics during a commemoration performance for A Tribe Called Quest. Afterwards, he asserted that he didn't grow up on ATCQ, and Tribe fans criticized him on message boards, including fellow peer Phonte.[3] Fiasco seemingly made peace, as Tribe's Q-Tip was featured on the remix version of "Paris, Tokyo" and talked about touring together.[4]
Critical reception[]
Pitchfork's Mark Pytlik, The Guardian's Alexis Petridis, and PopMatters editor Zach Schonfeld have likened it to A Tribe Called Quest record, with its jazzy background, the former two referring to Fiascogate.[5][6][7] The latter publication wrote, "Film buffs should chuckle at the title of 'Paris, Tokyo,' a love letter to the joys of traveling." Schonfeld went on to opine, "Like Andre 3000 before him, many will wish that Fiasco refrain from singing his own hooks, but who needs nitpicking with a groove like this?" Steve Glencross from The Skinny penned, "If you like your hip-hop lazy, feel good and unashamedly commercial, this'll be right up your street."[8]
In a 2023 retrospective assessment of Fiasco's "16 Best" songs, Riley Wallace of Okayplayer praised Soundtrakk's production work and added of the single, "is anything but lyrically light, defined by a simple and catchy hook that rounds the track out."[9]
Personnel[]
- Charles "Free Chilly" Patton – executive producer
- Chris Gehringer – masterer
- Dave Pensado – enhanced recording
- Eumir Deodato – writer
- Greg "G-Ball" Magers – recording
- Jesse Gladstone – assistant mixer
- Nat "You Can Ask Giz" Robinson – mixer
- Rudolph "Soundtrakk" Lopez – producer
- Wasalu "Lupe Fiasco" Jaco – executive producer, writer
Charts[]
| Chart (2008) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| UK Singles (OCC) | 152
|
Cultural references[]
- "Walk It Out" is a song by American DJ and rapper Unk.
- Goyard trunks and John Lennon Chucks are fashion pieces.
- The Japanese phrase "Otsukaresama deshita" (Ots-ka-reh sa-ma desh-ta) is expressed after someone's hard work. Fiasco follows with the French expression "au revoir" as goodbye, aptly matching the "Paris, Tokyo" theme.
- Fiasco inserts a double entendre through Santa's reindeer Dasher to his girl (dear) and tears that fall down her face.
- Louvre Saint-Honoré and Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) is a hotel and airport in Paris, France, respectively.
Gallery[]
Lyrics[]
[Intro]
I know, I know but I gotta get up outta here, you know?
I gotta go pay these bills, I got a show to do, you know?
One time, for your mind
[Chorus]
Let's go to sleep in Paris
Wake up in Tokyo
Have a dream in New Orleans
Fall in love in Chicago, man
Wherever I go she go
[Verse 1]
I love her, and I hate to leave her lonely
Ring-ring went the iPhone, it was my homie
He said, "Let's hit Japan, if we can make 'em jam
We can make a hundred grand, spend it in the south of France"
Nothing further; I jumped, grabbed my Goyard trunk
Got ready to walk it out like Unk in my John Lennon Chucks
That's when I heard murder
"You're killing me, you're filling me with sorrow
Sunrise, goodbyes, and missing you tomorrows"
I turn to see my dream, love supreme queen
Meanest thing on the scene cry
I drop my bags in a flash, that's faster
Than 180 on that dash, shirt to dry her tears
And wipe the rain from my dear like Dasher
You's the dame who's the username to all my passwords
The reason I get fly is Ibn Jasper
I even keep your picture in my passport
Love, love
[Chorus]
Let's go to sleep in Paris
Wake up in Tokyo
Have a dream in New Orleans
Fall in love in Chicago, man
Then we can land in the motherland
Camel-back across the desert sand
And take a train, to Rome, or home
Brazil, for real
Wherever I go she goes
Wherever I go she goes
[Verse 2]
So let's keep it real, all in together, "Free Chill"
Tell the stewardess to throw a movie on the reel
Heat up my kosher meal, exchange my dollar bills
Lean back in my first class seat and sleep
Don't wake me 'til I land
Where they barely understand what I speak
But they nod to my beats
I tell my fans who I am and they stand
And they clap, they applaud, they love me, my God
Otsukaresama deshita, or maybe au revoir
A spree on Saint-Honoré, then back to Charles de Gaulle
So I can get home and tell her everywhere that I been, and
Everything that I done, and
Tell her that she's the one, and, umm
[Chorus]
Let's go to sleep in Paris
Wake up in Tokyo
Have a dream in New Orleans
Fall in love in Chicago, man
Then we can land in the motherland
Camel-back across the desert sand
And take a train, to Rome, or home
Brazil, for real
Wherever I go she goes
Wherever I go she goes
[Verse 3]
Guess who's back in the house
With a bunch of souvenirs and a smile for your mouth
I really missed you, each and every night I kissed you
In my dreams 'fore I went to sleep
To la-la land to count them sheep
I swear you're looking prettier than ever
It's got to be a prophecy for us to stay together, evermore
For better or, less or poor
Or worth our weight in buried treasure, X's on the shore
I know my world tour's like war to you
But Ian said, "Aloha", and Harley said, "Cheers"
Julian said, "Bonjour", Big O was like, "Yeah!"
Amanda and Le Messie want to know when we going there
Edison sends his love, so does the rest of the club
Of the international playboys and playgirls
But I revoke my membership, all for My Tenderness
She said, "Pursue your interests 'cause even if I'm ticketless
I'll be there, by your side
In your heart, and on your mind"
So, as I taxi down another runway
I gotcha, who loves you bae
Now bring it back now
[Chorus]
Let's go to sleep in Paris
Wake up in Tokyo
Have a dream in New Orleans
Fall in love in Chicago, man
Then we can land in the motherland
Camel-back across the desert sand
And take a train, to Rome, or home
Brazil, for real
Wherever I go she goes
Wherever I go she goes
Wherever I go she goes
Wherever I go she goes
[Verse 1: Lupe Fiasco]
Now if you never left Houston get a passport
Never left Little Haiti get a passport
If you live in South Central get a passport
So you can see the world
Yeah, and if you rep the five boroughs get a passport
Or if you're in the Dirty South get a passport
If you're on the West Side get a passport
So you can see the world
[Verse 2: Pharrell]
Now I've been known to levitate
Like a hobo tryna catch a freight
To get away, and clear the day
Then I'll be smilin' at the stars like the hood does cars
Little ghetto mind you should travel like a bullet
From your favorite gun's barrel or the Indian's arrow
Mathematically aligned like the pyramids or Pharaohs
Don't let 'em bring demise like you and your boys are cattle
Fly to Paris, and end up in Tokyo
Let's start a coalition so even the broke can go
To all those that never sold coke before
And with no ambitions to rock or roll
Let my, people go
To broaden their horizons
Sharpen all they minds in
Sharper than the prong or the Neptune's trident
I'm just ramblin' - I ride my bike in the clouds
Mr. Spielberg, hire me at Amblin
(To the n*gga Pimp C) God bless your life
(And the creators of the syrup) I hope you're restin' right
Because you screwed a lot of lives, kids and wives
In my mind I'm goin' "woo-hoo" just like The Hives
But in my mind, compromise my design
Like a missin' puzzle piece, make completion hard to find
Hours resuscitated by Capri Sun juice packs
Woke up singin' N.E.R.D. songs and you can YouTube that
Now stay away from people that pursuit they lack
And remember your starter kit was this Lupe track
Now one love (one love) one love (one love)
Hey love, see you in Tokyo
[Verse 3: Q-Tip]
My new passport has been issued so I'm ready
Trekkin the Sahara or grazin' the Serengeti
I am there if there's speakers in the place
I will see a foreign face
My magic carpet shuttles me through the human race
But, no matter what's on her mood to foreign district
My postcards so you I missed it
It bein us, how we would discuss findin' treasures
Deep in choral reefs, Tigerbillies Islands of pleasure
Holdin' you my pretty 'til I get home to our city
In this chitty-chitty bang-bang brutal to our bus
So I, take it in, the wonderments of the world
Samplin' each cuisine, a dinner without a girl
Presents for my people like these silly t-shirts
While Rebecca's at the sound check hooked to Mic Works
I remember days when the dollar was strong
Hopefully it gets better, I won't be gone long—backpack
[Chorus: Lupe Fiasco]
Let's go to sleep in Paris, wake up in Tokyo
Have a dream in New Orleans, fall in love in Chicago
Mayne, then we can land in the motherland
Camel back across the desert sands
Then take a train, to Rome, or home
Brazil, for real
Wherever I go she goes
[Verse 4: Sarah Green]
Yeah, I'd done seen Paris, and woke up in Tokyo
But I'mma always be Sarah Green from the South Side of Chicago
Just because you on Section 8 and he left
It don't mean a thing ("Girl I can't go nowhere")
Just come and take a flight with me
Baby girl it's a world to see! (Girl go on wit all that)
I never thought the Seven Wonders of the World
Would be so wonderful (For real?)
You got your ghetto pass, now go and get your passport
And make your swagger international (I'll think about it)
If you can, catch a flight, you can go, in your mind
Your destiny, you decide! Wherever I go, we go
[Verse 5: Lupe Fiasco]
Oversees, even over here I over seer
Like I'm tryna stop these slaves from gettin' freer
From the truth I never veer see, so, faithfully I steer
As I ride through yo' city like Revere, revered
Now everybody gon' and put yo' hands in the air
All you haters with yo' hands in yo' ears - it's okay
Cause later, it will sneak up on you like it's Metal Gear
Put you in a chokehold and then unconsciously you'll cheer
Remain upper tier, ain't no cryin' down here
Only shed is in the back, yard with the tools in it
My hood's in disrepair with no schools in it
All the food ain't got no fuel in it
So crude, that's why I'm duelin' it
Some dude's thinkin what Rasulullah do in it
Not what they did then, but now what do you do with it?
I know you sick of all the rat-tat-tat-tat
Well this the soothin' sounds from the backpack rat pack
Seein' Sarah Green from the FNF crew
Two from the Child Rebel and the Q
When I be home I resist it like it's Ohms
I was there, now I'm gone; Shalom!
Yeah, and if you rep the Midwest get a passport
If you from Detroit get a passport
If you from Chi-Town get a passport
So you can see the world
Get that little black girl, a passport
Get that little black boy, a passport
If you ain't got one, get yourself a passport
So you can see the world, yeah!
References[]
- ↑ Zisook, Brian (September 22, 2008). "Lupe Fiasco ft. Pharrell, Q-Tip & Sarah Green - Paris Tokyo (Remix)". DJBooth.
- ↑ Lewis, Pete (April 29, 2008). "Lupe Fiasco: 'Paris, Tokyo'... Blues and Soul". Blues and Soul. Archived from the original on April 26, 2008.
- ↑ Rodriguez, Jayson (October 11, 2007). "Lupe Fiasco Vs. A Tribe Called Quest: A 'Fiascogate' Timeline". MTV News.
- ↑ Arnold, Paul (October 10, 2007). "DX-Clusive: "Fiascogate Fallout" & Words from Q-Tip". HipHopDX.
- ↑ Pytlik, Mark (January 8, 2008). "The Cool by Lupe Fiasco". Pitchfork.
- ↑ Petridis, Alexis (January 18, 2008). "Lupe Fiasco, The Cool". The Guardian.
- ↑ Schonfeld, Zach (January 7, 2008). "Lupe Fiasco Lupe Fiasco's the Cool". PopMatters. Archived from the original on January 9, 2008.
- ↑ Glencross, Steve (April 5, 2008). "Lupe Fiasco - Paris, Tokyo". The Skinny.
- ↑ Wallace, Riley (February 16, 2023). "The 16 Best Lupe Fiasco Songs". Okayplayer.
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