Analysis of song lyrics

"Last Request" - Paulo Nutini

Slow down, lie down,
Remember it's just you and me.
Don't sell out, bow out,
Remember how this used to be.

I just want you closer,
Is that alright?
Baby, let's get closer tonight

[Chorus:]
Grant my last request,
And just let me hold you.
Don't shrug your shoulders,
Lay down beside me.
Sure I can accept that we're going nowhere,
But one last time let's go there,
Lay down beside me

Oh, I've found, that I'm bound
To wander down that one way road.
And I realise all about your lies
But I'm no wiser than the fool that I was before.

I just want you closer,
Is that alright?
Baby, let's get closer tonight

[Chorus]

Oh, baby, baby, baby,
Tell me how can, how can this be wrong?

[Chorus 2x]

Yeah, lay down beside me.

One last time let's go there,
Lay down beside me.

The short sentences are sung very slowly to convey a sandness and emotion. Reptition of 'down' in the first line and 'out' in the third line give the songa melody but are also words connected to feeling down, empty, and upset.

The words are simple which makes it more effective than packing the lyrics with long words that are not understandable. It sounds like a genuine conversation with someone because metaphors that can be overused in some ballads make the song sounds more poetic, whereas this song sounds very realistic and therefore makes it more appealing to the audience.

The words 'closer' and 'baby' are very intimate and show his affection towards the woman he is singing about. Him asking if its alright also shows that he cares about her and does not want to make her feel uncomfortable.

Repetition of 'remember' indicates that their relationship is being reflected on and he is thinking of good memories and wants to keep their relationship as strong as it "used to be".

Asking her to grant his request shows his desire to be with her and that she has the power to decide the future of their relationsip. the line 'just let me hold you' indicates a desperation to be close to her rather than just wanting to be with her, he feels that he needs to be with her.

Repetition is used again of 'lay down beside me' to emphasis that all he wants is to be close to her, and it sounds like a simple request, which makes the listener side with this man and hope that they do stay together.

The rhyme of 'found' and 'bound' has an elongated vowel sound which mimicks the sad tone of the song. 'One way road' also illustrates his loneliness and 'wander' gives an aimlessness to the lyrics which is then reflected in the following lines saying that he is 'no wiser'.

Repetition of 'baby' throughout the song shows closeness and a protective nature towards this girl.

'Tell me how can, how can this be wrong' shows a final desperation for her and is sung very slowly to mirror the length of time being spent to convince this girl to stay with him.

The song ends with a couplet that has been repeated several times throughout the song and rounds the lyrics off, and almost brings you full circle to the begining again.