Paris in the Rain

"Paris in the Rain" by Lauv is a romantic ode to the idea that true happiness and romance are not found in a specific location, but in the presence of a loved one. The central message is that being with the right person can make any place in the world feel as magical and enchanting as the idealized image of Paris in the rain. The lyrics repeatedly emphasize this theme with the line, "Anywhere with you feels like Paris in the rain." The song dismisses the need for "a fancy town or bottles that we can't pronounce," suggesting that the euphoria of love transcends material or geographical luxury.

The song was inspired by the 2011 film 'Midnight in Paris,' which romanticizes the city. Lauv explained that he wanted to capture the feeling of being with someone who makes you feel as romantic as the idea of walking through Paris in the rain at night. It’s about being so captivated by a person that your surroundings become secondary to the emotional landscape you share. The song explores the initial, all-consuming phase of falling in love, characterized by intense emotions, a desire for the moment to last forever, and the feeling that life was incomplete before meeting this person.

The song begins by establishing a sense of boundless possibility and freedom that comes with being with a particular person. The narrator expresses that their location or activity doesn't matter, as long as they are together, adapting to any mood or situation. This initial thought expands into a more vivid, romantic scene of getting lost together under the stars, where love is discovered not in a grand, distant place, but right in the present moment. The physical intimacy of a shared kiss pulls the narrator completely into the present, creating a private world for the two of them, oblivious to any onlookers.

This feeling is encapsulated in the central metaphor of the song: 'Paris in the Rain'. This phrase becomes a recurring motif, symbolizing a state of perfect, romantic bliss that isn't tied to the actual city of Paris. The core idea is that the presence of his beloved can transform any ordinary place into a location as enchanting and romantic as the iconic city during a rain shower. They don’t require the clichéd markers of a fancy lifestyle, like expensive towns or unpronounceable wines, because their connection itself creates the magic.

The second verse delves deeper into the overwhelming and lasting nature of these emotions. The narrator looks at their partner and feels a profound desire for this moment to last forever, even questioning if they are worthy of such happiness. There's a sense of disbelief and wonder at how they ever managed life before this person entered it, highlighting a feeling of completeness. The physical manifestation of this intense emotion is described as a heart about to jump out of the chest. A distinction is made between fleeting feelings, which come and go, and the steadfast emotion he feels for his partner, which remains constant. The verse paints a cinematic picture of late nights and city streetlights, where the entire world seems to fade away, leaving only the two of them.

The bridge introduces a sense of longing for when they are apart. The narrator admits that all they do is miss their partner and yearns to recreate the romantic mood, picturing them together under the moonlight. The lyrics playfully suggest painting a picture of their loved one from memory, with eyes closed, and touches on the fleeting nature of time when they are together, posing the rhetorical question, "Wonder where the time goes?" The answer is implied to be obvious—time flies when they are immersed in their shared happiness. The song concludes by reinforcing its central theme, with the imagery of walking down an empty street, puddles at their feet, underscoring the simple, pure, and intimate nature of a love that makes anywhere and everywhere feel as romantic as 'Paris in the Rain'.

"Paris in the Rain" was written by Lauv (Ari Leff), Michael Matosic, and Michael Ross Pollack. The song was officially released on November 16, 2017, as a single from his compilation album "I Met You When I Was 18. (The Playlist)", which was released on May 31, 2018. Lauv has stated that the primary inspiration for the song was the film 'Midnight in Paris'. He watched the movie multiple times and was struck by its romantic atmosphere, which sparked the idea for the song. He wanted to write a song that conveyed the feeling of being with someone who makes you feel as though you are in that romanticized version of Paris.

The song was part of a unique project where Lauv released a series of singles that he compiled into a Spotify playlist titled "I met you when I was 18.". This collection of songs tells the story of moving, falling in love for the first time, and discovering one's identity. Ari Leff, known professionally as Lauv, is credited as a writer, producer, and singer on the track, showcasing his multi-faceted role in his music's creation. Though the song's title references Paris, Lauv mentioned that his music, including this track, was also inspired by the ambiance of New York City, where he studied music production at NYU. The music video for the song was directed by Chase Smith.

The rhyme scheme in "Paris in the Rain" is relatively straightforward, contributing to its pop sensibility and easy listenability. The verses often follow a simple rhyming pattern, which makes the lyrics flow smoothly. For example, in the first verse, there's a rhyme between "in" and "in," and "stars" and "are." The pre-chorus and chorus use rhyme to build a memorable hook, such as the rhyme between "right" and "like."

The song's rhythm is a key element of its charm. It has a relaxed, mid-tempo feel, driven by a consistent, jazzy beat and finger snaps. This creates a laid-back, intimate groove that invites the listener to sway along. The interplay between the lyrical rhythm and the musical rhythm is smooth, with Lauv's vocal phrasing often syncopating gently against the beat. This rhythmic feel contributes significantly to the song's overall dreamy and romantic atmosphere, making it feel like a slow dance in a quiet, rain-swept street.

"Paris in the Rain" employs a blend of musical and literary techniques to create its dreamy and intimate atmosphere. Musically, the song is characterized by its minimalist production, which allows Lauv's vocals to be at the forefront. It opens with the sound of vinyl crackling and ambient rainfall, immediately setting a nostalgic and cozy mood. The rhythm is driven by finger-snaps and a prominent, playful bassline, which gives the song a light, jazzy feel. Lauv's vocal delivery is a key feature, utilizing a soft, crooning style with gentle falsettos that enhance the song's romantic and enchanting quality. The use of layered background "oh" vocals creates a trance-like effect, adding to the feeling of being swept up in emotion.

Lyrically, the song uses simple, direct language that feels personal and sincere. While some lines might be considered cliché, such as "finding love standing right where we are," they are delivered with a rawness and beauty that makes them effective. The song's structure includes recurring phrases and a catchy chorus, making it memorable. The narrative voice is that of a hopeless romantic, a persona Lauv often embodies in his earlier work.

"Paris in the Rain" became one of Lauv's signature songs and a fan favorite, contributing significantly to his rise as an artist known for his brand of introspective, romantic pop. While it may not have achieved the same level of global chart dominance as his hit "I Like Me Better," it has garnered a massive following, as evidenced by its significant number of views on YouTube. The song was part of his debut compilation album/playlist "I Met You When I Was 18. (The Playlist)," which debuted at number 50 on the US Billboard 200.

The song's dreamy and romantic quality has made it a popular choice for playlists and has been featured on various Apple Music playlists, including those curated by K-pop groups like Jimin of BTS and NCT DREAM, indicating its international appeal. It was also included in "Top Songs of 2019: Korea" and "Top Songs of 2020: Thailand." The song solidified Lauv's image as a "hopeless romantic" in the early part of his career, a persona he has since expanded upon. Its success, alongside other singles, helped Lauv embark on his first headlining world tour and open for major artists like Ed Sheeran.

The most significant metaphor in "Paris in the Rain" is the title phrase itself. 'Paris in the Rain' is not meant to be taken literally as a specific place and weather condition, but rather as a symbol for a perfect, romantic, and idyllic state of being. It represents the peak of romantic fantasy, an idea largely shaped by films and popular culture. The song's core message is that this idealized feeling is portable and can be achieved anywhere, as long as one is with the right person.

The rain, often associated with gloom, is re-contextualized here to symbolize romance and beauty, a common trope that the song embraces. The lyrics also use the imagery of "getting lost late at night under stars" as a metaphor for the exhilarating and spontaneous journey of falling in love. The act of finding love "standing right where we are" symbolizes the idea that love is not something to be sought in distant places but can be discovered in the present moment. The contrast between a simple setting ("walking down an empty street, puddles underneath our feet") and the grand feeling of being in "Paris" highlights the song's theme that emotional connection is more profound than the physical environment.

The most prominent recurring phrase and motif in the song is the title line, "Paris in the rain." This phrase is repeated throughout the chorus and serves as the central metaphor of the song. Its repetition reinforces the core message that being with a loved one can transform any location into a romantic paradise.

Another recurring lyrical motif is the idea of being unconcerned with external circumstances or opinions. The line "People may be watching, I don't mind" highlights the private, insular world that the lovers have created for themselves. Similarly, the dismissal of needing a "fancy town or bottles that we can't pronounce" is a recurring idea that emphasizes the sufficiency of their love.

Musically, the song features a recurring finger-snapping rhythm and a distinct bassline that runs through the track, providing a consistent and recognizable sonic signature. The layered "ooh ooh ooh" backing vocals also act as a recurring musical motif that enhances the song's dreamy and atmospheric quality.