“Castles in the Air” is about a desire to leave the city life, which McLean sees as impersonal and overly busy, to live in the country, and his willingness to leave everything behind in order to do so.
And if she asks you why, you can tell her that I told you
That I'm tired of castles in the air
I've got a dream I want the world to share
And castle walls just lead me to despair
Hills of forest green where the mountains touch the sky
A dream come true, I'll live there till I die
I'm asking you to say my last goodbye
The love we knew ain't worth another try
Save me from all the trouble and the pain
I know I'm weak, but I can't face that girl again
Tell her the reasons why I can't remain
Perhaps she'll understand if you tell it to her plain
But how can words express the feel of sunlight in the morning
In the hills, away from city strife
I need a country woman for my wife;
I'm city born, but I love the country life
For I cannot be part of the cocktail generation:
Partners waltz, devoid of all romance
The music plays and everyone must dance
I'm bowing out. I need a second chance
Save me from all the trouble and the pain
I know I'm weak, but I can't face that girl again
Tell her the reasons why I can't remain
Perhaps she'll understand if you tell it to her plain
And if she asks you why, you can tell her that I told you
That I'm tired of castles in the air
I've got a dream I want the world to share
And castle walls just lead me to despair
Castles in the Air was written by Don McLean.
Castles in the Air was produced by Larry Butler.
Don McLean released Castles in the Air on Mon Feb 01 1971.