Rivers Cuomo confirmed that this song was written from the point of view of a letter from Napoleon to Josephine where Napoleon is paranoid they’ve been shut out of paradise.
[Chorus]
Ooh, Francesca I need you
No matter what you do
You are my Waterloo (Hoo-hoo, hoo-hoo, hoo-hoo)
[Verse 1]
Hey, listen to what I'm saying
Every word is true (Ooh-hoo)
I'm sorry for complaining
I think I earned a little kiss, put my name down on your list
Take these nails out my wrists, ma biche
[Verse 2]
Listen to my pleas, I know you understand me
You're the one who se-ee-hees I ain't Mahatma Gandhi
We both know it would be fun, little bit of hit and run
Gotta bail before they come, adieu
[Chorus]
Ooh, Francesca I need you
No matter what you do
You are my Waterloo (Hoo-hoo, hoo-hoo, hoo-hoo)
[Verse 3]
Aie, I'm literally dying, victim of a coup (Hoo-hoo)
I didn't even try it
And now they brought their flaming sword, wе're not welcome anymorе
Just a devil and a whore, c'est fou
[Chorus]
Ooh, Francesca I need you
No matter what you do
You are my Waterloo (Hoo-hoo, hoo-hoo, hoo-hoo)
And hey, Francesca by the way
You always make my day
You are my Milky Way (Hey hey, hey hey, hey hey)
[Instrumental]
[Bridge]
Why can't I have you?
It isn't fair, no, it isn't kind
Why can't I have you?
It isn't fair, no, it isn't kind
(Oh)
[Chorus]
Ooh, Francesca I need you
No matter what you do
You are my Waterloo (Hoo-hoo, hoo-hoo, hoo-hoo)
And hey, Francesca by the way
You always make my day
You are my Milky Way (Hey hey, hey hey, hey hey)
[Outro]
Hey, hey hey, hey hey, hey hey
Hey, hey hey, hey hey, hey hey
Francesca was written by Rivers Cuomo.
Francesca was produced by Robopop & Tyler Cole & Suzy Shinn.