The song "Paris" by Joshua Kadison tells the story of two lonely individuals, Ezra and Cassie, who find solace and companionship in each other's company. Ezra is an old man living by the sea, watching himself age with no family to support him. Cassie is a bartender and single mother, raising her daughter Jade with big green eyes. The two meet in a park where Jade is playing on a swing. They sit on a bench underneath a tree and have deep conversations about life. Cassie opens up to Ezra about her fears and insecurities, and she reaches for his hand, seeking comfort and shedding tears. Ezra reassures her that feeling lonely is not a crime and that everyone experiences it at times. Ezra shares his unrealized dreams of becoming a painter and living in Paris, France. He laments that his life is now filled with empty dreams and fading memories. Cassie, charmed by the idea of Paris, tells Ezra how enchanting it sounds and suggests they dance together. Throughout the song, they continue to meet every Sunday in the park. Ezra always brings a red balloon for Jade. Cassie confides in him about her failed relationships, expressing her desire to find someone like him but feeling skeptical that such a person exists. Meanwhile, Jade falls asleep on Ezra's lap as Cassie continues talking long into the night. However, one Sunday, Ezra is absent, and a friend of his delivers a letter to Cassie. The letter reveals that Ezra has passed away and had left two tickets to Paris for Cassie. The note expresses gratitude for their dance together and addresses Cassie as his "Paris, France," capturing the significance of their connection. Overall, "Paris" explores themes of loneliness, missed opportunities, and the brief yet impactful connections that can be formed between individuals in the midst of their own personal struggles. The song highlights the universal experience of loneliness and the longing for companionship and understanding.
