Chasing Shadows
Alex Warren Lyrics
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For somewhere that doesn't exist
For someone, I'm still learning to miss
It's like you've been replaced
By home videotapes
Sun goes up, then the sun goes down
And your shadow gets longer on the ground
And it's all for what? 'Cause you're not around
But I still hope I'll make you proud
Oh, I'm running after something, trying to catch your ghost
Holding onto pictures and the smell of your clothes
Feel you slipping through my fingers, and I know I'll never reach you
But you're part of me, I can't let you go
So, I just keep on chasing shadows of you, of you
Chasing shadows of you
I'm homesick
For conversations, I would avoid
Now I miss the sound of your voice
It's like you've been replaced
By a tattoo of your name
Sun goes up, then the sun goes down
And your shadow gets longer on the ground
And it's all for what? 'Cause you're not around
But I still feel you here somehow
Oh, I'm running after something, trying to catch your ghost
Holding onto pictures and the smell of your clothes
Feel you slipping through my fingers, and I know I'll never reach you
But you're part of me, I can't let you go
So, I just keep on chasing shadows of you, of you
Chasing shadows of you, you, you
Said goodbye, I wasn't ready yet
Only see you in the silhouettes (of you)
Now there's nothing but a shadow left (a shadow)
Of you, you, you
So, I just keep on chasing shadows of you, of you
The lyrics of Alex Warren's song Chasing Shadows explore the feelings of homesickness and yearning for someone who is no longer present. The first verse introduces the theme of homesickness, not for a place, but for a person the singer is still learning to miss. The following line "it's like you've been replaced by home videotapes" suggests that the memories of the person are all that remain. The chorus continues with the repetition of the phrase "chasing shadows" and the metaphorical idea of trying to catch a ghost. Holding onto pictures and the smell of the person's clothes, the singer feels they are slipping away, but they continue to chase shadows and hope to make the person proud.
The second verse expands on the idea of nostalgia and longing by expressing a yearning for conversations that were once avoided. The line "it's like you've been replaced by a tattoo of your name" suggests that the person has left a permanent mark on the singer's life. The repetition of the chorus highlights the persistence of the feeling of trying to catch something that is no longer there, but still a part of them.
The song creates a sense of melancholy, longing, and nostalgia through its evocative lyrics and haunting melody. The metaphorical use of shadows and ghosts creates a poignant image of someone who is no longer physically present but remains a significant presence in the singer's life. Overall, the song speaks to the universal experience of missing someone and how that feeling can stay with us long after they are gone.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm homesick
Feeling a deep longing for something that seems impossible to attain
For somewhere that doesn't exist
Missing a place that either never existed or is no longer accessible
For someone, I'm still learning to miss
Longing for someone who has left or died, still trying to come to terms with their absence
It's like you've been replaced by home videotapes
Feeling like memories have replaced the real person, and the memories are now all that's left
Sun goes up, then the sun goes down
The passage of time, the cyclical nature of life
And your shadow gets longer on the ground
Suggesting a constant presence even in absence, the shadow symbolizing a lingering memory or impact
And it's all for what? 'Cause you're not around
Questioning the point of it all when the person is gone
But I still hope I'll make you proud
Despite the absence, still seeking validation or approval from the person
Oh, I'm running after something, trying to catch your ghost
Pursuing a fleeting memory or presence of the person that can never be caught or grasped
Holding onto pictures and the smell of your clothes
Clutching onto tangible reminders of the person as a way to hold onto their memory
Feel you slipping through my fingers, and I know I'll never reach you
Realizing the person is gone, and that their presence can only be felt in memory
But you're part of me, I can't let you go
Acknowledging the lasting impact the person had, and the struggle to move on
So, I just keep on chasing shadows of you, of you
Continuing to pursue the memories or remnants of the person
Chasing shadows of you
Persistently trying to hold onto the memory of the person
For conversations, I would avoid
Regretting missed opportunities for connection or communication
Now I miss the sound of your voice
Longing to hear the person's voice again
It's like you've been replaced by a tattoo of your name
Feeling like the person has been reduced to a symbol rather than a person
And it's all for what? 'Cause you're not around
Questioning the point of it all when the person is gone
But I still feel you here somehow
Sensing a lingering presence or impact of the person
Said goodbye, I wasn't ready yet
Expressing the pain of an abrupt or premature separation
Only see you in the silhouettes (of you)
Only able to catch glimpses or fleeting imprints of the person
Now there's nothing but a shadow left (a shadow)
The person has left, but their memory or impact remains
So, I just keep on chasing shadows of you, of you
Continuing to pursue the memories or remnants of the person
Writer(s): Nolan Winfield Sipe, Adam Yaron, Alexander Warren
Contributed by Kaelyn M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.