Made in the Shade
311 Lyrics


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Sitting by the bedroom window
Looking at a slideshow on a Sunday
But it's Monday, well how would I know
I'd be looking out the same old window
Years later on a Monday thinking something
Would come from doing the same thing

Bout time to give up on the same old stuff I'm stuck on
Just say that it went wrong and move it along
Sayonara till tomorrow
It's just how it goes sometimes.

You gotta keep on climbing the hill
'Cause if you think you'll make it you will
Go swimming quick like a fish and every wish will be fulfilled
Strike up and start the parade
Cutting down the weeds keep slinging the blade
And when they fire that warning shot
You'll have a spot made in the shade

Standing at a side street station
Feeling like a one way on the down low
Flying solo till further delay
Easy blame it on procrastination
Always hoping somehow that the nonsense
This time will make sense, stuck in circles
Faces in the sunshine they never look at mine
People just walk by and keep their eyes low
Sayonara till tomorrow
That's how it goes sometimes

You gotta keep on climbing the hill
'Cause if you think you'll make it you will
Go swimming quick like a fish and every wish will be fulfilled
Strike up and start the parade
Cutting down the weeds keep slinging the blade




And when they fire that warning shot
You'll have a spot made in the shade

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to 311's "Made in the Shade" seem to be about feeling stuck in a monotonous routine and searching for something more. The first verse starts with the singer sitting by the bedroom window, feeling like every day is the same. They wonder if, years later, they'll still be doing the same thing, and they think it's time to give up on their current routine. The second verse finds the singer standing at a side street station, feeling like they're going nowhere. They blame their current situation on procrastination and hope that their current routine will eventually lead somewhere. The chorus encourages the listener to keep climbing towards their goals, and to keep pushing until they find success.


The lyrics have a bittersweet quality to them. On one hand, there's a sense of dissatisfaction with the singer's current routine. They're "stuck" and it's time to move on. But on the other hand, there's also hope that if they keep pushing, they'll eventually find success. The line "strike up and start the parade" suggests that the singer is ready to take action and make a change. The line "when they fire that warning shot, you’ll have a spot made in the shade" implies that success may not come easily, but it will be worth the effort.


Line by Line Meaning

Sitting by the bedroom window
Reflectively sitting by the window in a room at home.


Looking at a slideshow on a Sunday
Watching old memories pass by like a slideshow.


But it’s Monday, well how would I know
Being lost in thoughts to the extent of not knowing what day it is.


I’d be looking out the same old window
In the future, will continue to spend time in the same place doing the same things if not changing.


Years later on a Monday thinking something
Still wanting something in life while staying in the same place years later.


Would come from doing the same thing
Hoping for something different while repeating the same routine.


Bout time to give up on the same old stuff I’m stuck on
Considering abandoning the same old habits that keep one stuck in life.


Just say that it went wrong and move it along
Acknowledging that something didn't work and moving on from it.


Sayonara till tomorrow
Goodbye until next time.


It’s just how it goes sometimes.
Sometimes things just don't work out as we plan.


You gotta keep on climbing the hill
One must continue striving towards a goal like climbing a hill despite obstacles.


'Cause if you think you’ll make it you will
Believing in oneself can lead to success.


Go swimming quick like a fish and every wish will be fulfilled
Be quick to take chances and pursue dreams while they are still attainable.


Strike up and start the parade
Get motivated and become a leader to achieve your ambitions.


Cutting down the weeds keep slinging the blade
Eliminating distractions and obstacles to keep pushing towards the goal.


And when they fire that warning shot
Facing challenges can be scary, but they can lead to growth.


You’ll have a spot made in the shade
Achieving success and finding comfort after going through challenges.




Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: AARON WILLS, CHAD SEXTON, NICHOLAS HEXUM, SCOTT RALSTON

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

Ian Harrison

311 is so under rated

biocta

Agreed

Nathan

6 years and it's still one of the best songs out there

Nathan

in my opinion

Joanne Nickerson

I am 64 years old, and I love 311.

Shauna L.

Hell Yeah Joanne. That's what I'm talkin about!! :)

SBow3111

36! I'm 1/6th of a 311 family...

I’m just A weirdo ;0

My teacher showed us this song for poetry and now it’s my favorite song

Jodi Dybala

That's awesome!
What class & school?

Buck Futtler

give that teacher the raise and hug they deserve!

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