"I've been here before,
I know this shade of blue, it's you
I've felt your touch before
I know your way,
A ghostlike sense of state, you're gone
So it seems you know me,
I will wait for you, I do

I don't care if you can take it
I can't take it anymore, I'll die
Don't mind if you can take it
I can't take it anymore, I'll die

Slowly I relive a better past a time
I thought I knew, I blew
Now I'm patient now I know I'll last
I'll last
I've always known it's true, with you

I don't care if you can take it
I can't take it anymore, I'll die
Don't mind if you can take it
I can't take it anymore, I'll die

I don't care if you can take it
I can't take it anymore, I'll die
Don't mind if you can take it
I can't take it anymore, I'll die"

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Black Rebel Motorcycle Club's Shade of Blue reflect upon a cyclical pain and nostalgia that the singer experiences from a broken relationship. He recognizes the "shade of blue" that he is feeling, representing the sadness and sorrow he felt when he was in the relationship with a person who has now left. He is reminded of this person through fleeting moments of connection, like "feeling his touch before" and "knowing his way." The pain is so great that the singer would rather die than continue to feel it.

As the song progresses, the singer speaks of reliving a better time, suggesting that they once had a positive and loving relationship. However, something went wrong, and the relationship fell apart. The singer is now patient and knows that they will eventually move on but acknowledges the truth of the relationship they had with the other person. Even though it is painful to remember, the singer still knows that their connection with the other person was true.

Overall, the lyrics suggest a sense of longing and inevitability. The singer is stuck in a rut of feeling heartbroken and remembers the good times with his past relationship vividly. Despite feeling like he will die from the sadness, he knows that he will eventually move on.

Line by Line Meaning

I've been here before,
I've experienced this situation in the past

I know this shade of blue, it's you
I recognize this feeling, it's associated with you

I've felt your touch before
I've been in your presence before

I know your way,
I am aware of your mannerisms

A ghostlike sense of state, you're gone
You have disappeared, leaving behind a feeling of emptiness

So it seems you know me,
It appears that you have some understanding of who I am

I will wait for you, I do
I am willing to wait for your return

I don't care if you can take it
I am indifferent to whether you can handle this or not

I can't take it anymore, I'll die
I am at my breaking point and can't continue

Don't mind if you can take it
I am unconcerned if you are able to handle this

Slowly I relive a better past a time
I am reminiscing about a happier time in the past

I thought I knew, I blew
I believed I understood the situation, but made a mistake

Now I'm patient now I know I'll last
I have learned to be patient and know I will survive

I've always known it's true, with you
I have always known that I have a connection with you

I don't care if you can take it
I am indifferent to whether you can handle this or not

I can't take it anymore, I'll die
I am at my breaking point and can't continue

Don't mind if you can take it
I am unconcerned if you are able to handle this

I don't care if you can take it
I am indifferent to whether you can handle this or not

I can't take it anymore, I'll die
I am at my breaking point and can't continue

Don't mind if you can take it
I am unconcerned if you are able to handle this

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