Here is some background information on Alabama Shakes from the Hold On Songfacts: The R&B-inspired Rock band Alabama Shakes originated when lead singer/guitarist Brittany Howard approached bassist Zac Cockrell during a high school psychology class in Athens, Alabama and the pair began meeting after school to write songs. Howard and Cockrell then approached Punk-Rock drummer Steve Johnson, who was working at a local music store, to join the band. The trio recorded some of their songs in a studio in Decatur, Alabama and subsequently recruited guitarist Heath Fogg on his return to Athens from college in Tuscaloosa. Originally christened "The Shakes," the band later renamed themselves The Alabama Shakes in order to differentiate themselves from other bands with their original name.
The Alabama foursome gained widespread media attention after releasing a self-titled four-song EP in September 2011 and Rough Trade Records in the United Kingdom and ATO Records in the United States signed them two months later. Hold On was released as the first single from their debut album, Boys & Girls .
Guess Who
Alabama Shakes Lyrics
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Those things they say can't get to me, but they do
I don't see the sky as blue, as you do
Should I fantasize, there must be some way to love again
It's been so hard for a girl like me, it's true
People say I look just like my daddy, 'cause I do
Why is everything so complicated?
Why is everyone so infatuated?
I gather myself safely
To a life I'll never form again
Everybody's leaving all the time
All I really want is peace of mind
The lyrics of Alabama Shakes's song Guess Who delve into themes of emotional suppression, the weight of societal expectations, and the search for inner peace. The opening lines - "I can't tell you how I feel, but I do / Those things they say can't get to me, but they do" - suggest that the singer is struggling to express their emotions, perhaps due to a fear of judgment or a belief that their feelings are not valid. The following line, "I don't see the sky as blue, as you do", further emphasizes the singer's isolation from others and inability to connect with them on a fundamental level. The repetition of the phrase "as you do" throughout the song underscores this divide between the singer and the outside world.
The chorus of the song - "Why is everything so complicated? / Why is everyone so infatuated? / I gather myself safely / To a life I'll never form again" - speaks to a deep sense of frustration and disillusionment with the world. The singer feels overwhelmed by the demands and expectations of society, and longs for a simpler, more peaceful existence. The line "To a life I'll never form again" suggests that the singer has had to sacrifice their own dreams and desires in order to conform to societal norms, and may feel as though they have lost a part of themselves in the process.
Despite the heaviness of the lyrics, the song ends on a note of hope - "All I really want is peace of mind / Everybody's leaving all the time". Here, the singer acknowledges that the search for inner peace is ongoing, and that it is a struggle that everyone must face. The use of the phrase "All I really want" suggests that the singer has come to prioritize their own well-being above the expectations of others, and that they are taking steps towards finding the peace and fulfillment that they seek.
Line by Line Meaning
I can't tell you how I feel, but I do
I'm unable to express my feelings to you, but I feel them deeply
Those things they say can't get to me, but they do
The negative things people say about me affect me more than I let on
I don't see the sky as blue, as you do
I have a different perspective on things than you do, even on something as simple as the color of the sky
Should I fantasize, there must be some way to love again
If I allow myself to dream, I believe there must be a way for me to love again
It's been so hard for a girl like me, it's true
Being a girl like me has made life very difficult
People say I look just like my daddy, 'cause I do
I resemble my father and people often comment on it
All I really want is peace of mind
All I desire is tranquility and freedom from worry
Why is everything so complicated?
I'm frustrated with the complexities of life
Why is everyone so infatuated?
I don't understand why people are so obsessed with certain things
I gather myself safely
I gather myself together securely
To a life I'll never form again
To a life that I will never create or experience again
Everybody's leaving all the time
People are constantly leaving and moving on, causing me to feel abandoned
All I really want is peace of mind
All I desire is tranquility and freedom from worry
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Hipgnosis Songs Group
Written by: Zachary Riley Cockrell, Heath Allen Fogg, Brittany Amber Howard, Steven William Johnson, Blake Mills
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind