Madeleine
Liner notes
I apologise, but these liner notes will be more than a bit arsey. I didn't feel like writing a sweets-based song for the circle, but cakes? Cakes are another matter. And Madeleine is both a woman's name and a kind of cake -- one that needs to be eaten more or less straight from the oven because it stales quickly. More to the point, madeleines play a role in the involuntary memory thing Proust has got going on. The 'kisses sweet as sugar cane' came first. I'm not sure Madeleine is a heroic woman (although I adore her as a character); the heroic women are interesting for reasons other than being a love interest.She gave her name as Madeleine
She left her suitcase on the train
Seemed like a sign to start anew
But Madeleine's just passing through
Madeleine's just passing through
This time she chooses to engage
Takes a bookmark, marks her page
She prefers to buy her own
She recommends the Côtes du Rhône
She builds rapport and earns your trust
There's nothing that you can't discuss
She gave her name as Madeleine
She shares your joy and feels your pain
She reflects it back at you
But Madeleine's just passing through
Madeleine's just passing through
Could be the perfume that she wore
That takes you back to '94
Back behind the grand marquee
Back where nobody would see
Or rolling rough through fields of corn
Lost in kisses soft and warm
She gave her name as Madeleine
Kisses sweet as sugar cane
Like every kiss you ever knew
But Madeleine's just passing through
Madeleine's just passing through
She left to catch the early train
Left you on your own again
Remembrance of things past
Crumbs around an empty glass
A handprint on the mirror pane
The only traces that remain
Of Madeleine, passing through
The name was all she left for you
Seems like a sign to start again
But you'll remember Madeleine
Hold a flame for Madeleine
Hold a flame for Madeleine