22-20s were a band from Lincolnshire with indie, blues and folk influences.… Read Full Bio ↴22-20s were a band from Lincolnshire with indie, blues and folk influences. They formed in 2003 and released their self-titled debut album (22-20s) the following year. The band's name comes from the Skip James song '22-20 Blues'.

The success of the single 'Shoot Your Gun' and the track 'Devil In Me' shot the band to prominence after its use in a Vauxhall commercial.

In early 2006, after four years together touring, with difficulties recording their follow-up album and a desire to change musical direction, the band mutually agreed to split up.

The band reformed in 2008 and released Shake/Shiver/Moan in 2010 and Got It If You Want It in 2012.

On 3 May, 2012, the band announced on Twitter that guitarist Dan Hare decided to leave the band.

22-20s quietly split for a second time in 2013.

Shake Shiver And Moan
22-20s Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

No easy way to the place I'm going
Onto your street now the fear is growing
It's the shakes and the shivers and moans
This time I know
Through the shakes and the shivers and moans
Got to let you go

No easy way to the place I'm going

Up to your door now the fear is flowing
Through the shakes and the shivers and moans
Got to let you know
Through the shakes and the shivers and moans
Got to let you go

Shake, shiver and moan I'm ready for you
Shake, shiver and moan I'm ready for you
Now my aim is steady and true
Got to let you know
You can beg you struggle and cry
Got to let you go

Now my aim is steady and true
Got to let you know
You can beg you struggle and cry
Got to let you go

Fast or slow either way I'm going
Cruel or kind in my mind I'm going
Through the shakes and the shivers and moans
Through the shakes and the shivers and moans
Through the shakes and the shivers and moans
Got to let you go

Through the shakes and the shivers and moans
Through the shakes and the shivers and moans

Through the shakes and the shivers and moans
Got to let you go

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of 22-20s's song Shake Shiver and Moan may seem a bit cryptic at first, but upon closer analysis, the song seems to be about coming to terms with the end of a relationship. The singer describes the difficult journey he is on to get to the place he needs to be, and how the fear is growing as he gets closer to their shared street. He talks about the shakes, shivers, and moans that he is feeling, which could represent the nerves or the residual emotions associated with the breakup. This time, he knows that he needs to let go of the person he once loved, despite the difficulty and pain involved.

The chorus of Shake Shiver and Moan seems to be a battle cry for the singer - he is ready for whatever the universe has in store for him. His aim is "steady and true," and he knows that he needs to let go of the person he once loved, no matter how much they beg, struggle, or cry. The final verse is the most mysterious, as the singer suggests that he is going to his destination, whether it is fast or slow, cruel or kind. The repeated phrase "through the shakes and the shivers and moans" shows that the singer recognizes the pain and difficulty of this transition, but he knows on some level that it needs to happen.

Line by Line Meaning

No easy way to the place I'm going
I'm headed somewhere difficult, and there's no straightforward path to get there.

Onto your street now the fear is growing
Now that I'm closer to you, I'm getting more scared.

It's the shakes and the shivers and moans
My anxiety is making me physically shake and shiver and groan.

This time I know
This time, I'm sure of what I need to do.

Through the shakes and the shivers and moans
Even though I'm really anxious and upset, I know I have to do this.

Got to let you go
I have to say goodbye to you.

Shake, shiver and moan I'm ready for you
I'm ready to face my anxiety head on.

Now my aim is steady and true
I'm confident in my decision and my ability to follow through.

You can beg you struggle and cry
Even though it's going to be hard, I know I can't change my mind.

Fast or slow either way I'm going
It doesn't matter how I approach this, I'm still moving forward.

Cruel or kind in my mind I'm going
Whether I do this in a harsh or gentle way, it's a decision I've already made.

Got to let you go
No matter what, I have to say goodbye to you.

Writer(s): Daniel James Hare, Martin Russell Trimble, Glen Philip Bartup, James Laurence Irving

Contributed by Amelia G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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