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Night Shift
Lucy Dacus Lyrics


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The first time I tasted somebody else's spit
I had a coughing fit
I mistakenly called them by your name
I was let down, it wasn't the same

I'm doing fine
Trying to derail my one track mind
Regaining my self-worth in record time
But I can't help but think
Of your other in the bed that was mine




Am I a masochist
Resisting urges to punch you in the teeth?
Call you a bitch and leave?
Why did I come here? To sit and watch you stare at your feet?
What was the plan? Absolve your guilt and shake hands?

I feel no need to forgive but I might as well
But let me kiss your lips so I know how it felt
Pay for my coffee and leave before the sun goes down
Walk for hours in the dark feeling all hell

Don't hold your breath
Forget you ever saw me at my best
You don't deserve what you don't respect
Don't deserve what you say you love and then neglect

Now bite your tongue
It's too dangerous to fall so young
Take back what you said
Can't lose what you never had

I feel no need to forgive but I might as well
But let me kiss your lips so I know how it felt
Pay for my coffee and leave before the sun goes down
Walk for hours in the dark feeling all hell

You got a nine to five, so I'll take the night shift
And I'll never see you again if I can help it
In five years I hope the songs feel like covers
Dedicated to new lovers

You got a nine to five, so I'll take the night shift
And I'll never see you again if I can help it
In five years I hope the songs feel like covers
Dedicated to new lovers

You got a nine to five, so I'll take the night shift
And I'll never see you again if I can help it
In five years I hope the songs feel like covers
Dedicated to new lovers

Overall Meaning

Lucy Dacus's song Night Shift deals with the complex emotions of a person who has just ended a relationship that devastated them. The first verse highlights the bitterness that arises from seeing someone else share an intimate moment with a person that was once exclusively theirs. The singer seems to long for her ex while simultaneously trying to move on. In the second verse, the singer struggles to come to terms with the pain they feel, wondering if acting out their anger would help their situation. The lyrics then take a turn as the singer begins to project their feelings of disappointment and betrayal towards their former lover. The singer reflects that they feel no need to forgive their partner for what they did, but will do so anyway. They then go onto to say that they hope the songs they create in the future will be a tribute to her new loves and, in effect, severing all ties with the person for good.


Overall, the song captures the pain and frustration of ending a relationship that once meant everything to the singer. The lyrics touch upon various aspects of the breakup, from anger and heartbreak to eventual acceptance, moving on, and eventually personal growth.


Line by Line Meaning

The first time I tasted somebody else's spit
The first time I kissed someone after you


I had a coughing fit
I didn't like it and felt sick


I mistakenly called them by your name
I still think of you when I'm with someone else


I was let down, it wasn't the same
Being with someone else didn't compare to being with you


I'm doing fine
I'm pretending to be okay without you


Trying to derail my one track mind
Trying to stop thinking of you


Regaining my self-worth in record time
Trying to feel good about myself again


But I can't help but think
I can't stop thinking of you


Of your other in the bed that was mine
Of you being with someone else in my bed


Am I a masochist
I must be crazy for still wanting you after what you did


Resisting urges to punch you in the teeth?
Trying not to be violent towards you


Call you a bitch and leave?
Wanting to insult you and walk away


Why did I come here? To sit and watch you stare at your feet?
Wondering why I bothered to see you and watch you act guilty


What was the plan? Absolve your guilt and shake hands?
Questioning if you just wanted to clear your conscience and move on


I feel no need to forgive but I might as well
I don't want to forgive you but I might as well try


But let me kiss your lips so I know how it felt
Wanting one last kiss before saying goodbye forever


Pay for my coffee and leave before the sun goes down
Making a quick exit after seeing you


Walk for hours in the dark feeling all hell
Feeling lost and hurt after seeing you


Don't hold your breath
Don't expect anything from me


Forget you ever saw me at my best
Trying to move on from our good times together


You don't deserve what you don't respect
You don't deserve my love if you don't respect it


Don't deserve what you say you love and then neglect
You don't deserve my love if you neglect it


Now bite your tongue
Be quiet now


It's too dangerous to fall so young
It's too risky to love again


Take back what you said
Apologize for what you did


Can't lose what you never had
You never truly had my love


You got a nine to five, so I'll take the night shift
I'll work opposite hours from you so I don't have to see you


And I'll never see you again if I can help it
I never want to see you again


In five years I hope the songs feel like covers
In five years, I hope I can write songs that don't remind me of you


Dedicated to new lovers
Dedicated to someone new in my life




Lyrics © Hipgnosis Songs Group
Written by: Lucy Dacus

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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