Known for honest, self-reflective songs as well as captivating lyrical works of fiction and an intimate live show, Shauf is considered one of the most intriguing emerging songwriters around.
His release, The Bearer of Bad News, explores themes of uncertainty, curiosity and spirituality. “I think spirituality is a part of life whether you are religious or not, even if you’re just superstitious. You can’t really get away from the fact that we don’t know everything.” The unsettling stories told on The Bearer of Bad News came as Shauf wrote both at home and on the road. Musically, the record took shape in a modest home studio in his parents’ basement in Regina, Canada, where Shauf spent 4 years recording and producing each song himself. “Spending all this time allowed me a lot of freedom in the ways I arranged the songs. I could work on a drum part for a whole day, or play piano for 2 hours without figuring anything out and be okay with that.”
Bearer is 11 songs built from the sounds of a weathered piano, the warm tone of his guitar’s aged strings, and a clarinet. Shauf is one-of-a-kind voice and dark, literate storytelling.
Jaywalker
Andy Shauf Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You were choking back tears at an easy goodbye
Everything started feeling urgent today
When you open your mouth, you have nothing to say
Jaywalker with your head hung low, you never saw it coming
Moving your lips like you're wanting to smile
Everything that you love always goes out of style
Hangin' around town never looked good on you
Jaywalker with your head hung low, never saw it coming
It's been a few years, you can barely recall
Why the things that you said have you feeling so small
Thirty-one years, now you're up on your feet
Staring down at your shoes as you're crossing the street
Jaywalker with your head hung low, you never saw it coming
Woke up confused in a hospital gown
With your arm in a sling and nobody around
Dreamed about Judy, she was driving a car
You were crossing the street, didn't get very far
Jaywalker with your head hung low, you never saw it coming
Jaywalker with your head hung low, you never saw it coming
The lyrics of Andy Shauf's song "Jaywalker" detail a narrative of introspection and self-realization as the singer grapples with inner turmoil and the passage of time. The opening lines suggest a moment of emotional vulnerability as the singer's friends notice their struggle to contain tears during a seemingly simple farewell. This scene sets the tone for a contemplative exploration of one's sense of urgency and inability to articulate emotions effectively.
The repeated imagery of the "Jaywalker with your head hung low" symbolizes a sense of aimlessness and unawareness, capturing the essence of feeling lost or disconnected from oneself. The lyrics underscore a recurring theme of missed opportunities and a sense of fading relevance, as the singer reflects on the transient nature of love and personal success. The juxtaposition of the desire to smile with the inevitability of things falling out of favor highlights a poignant sense of disillusionment and resignation.
As the narrative progresses, the lyrics delve into the singer's journey of coming to terms with past decisions and the weight of regret and insecurity. The mention of a hospital stay and a dream involving a character named Judy driving a car evoke a surreal and disorienting landscape where the boundary between reality and subconscious thoughts blurs. The singer's physical and emotional injuries mirror each other, suggesting a deeper spiritual wound that needs healing.
In the final stanza, the lyrics shift towards a sense of acceptance and acknowledgment of one's limitations and failures. The closing repetition of "Jaywalker with your head hung low, you never saw it coming" encapsulates a sense of resignation and a realization of the consequences of navigating through life with a lack of direction or awareness. Overall, "Jaywalker" paints a vivid portrait of a person grappling with inner struggles, missed opportunities, and the elusive nature of personal growth and self-understanding.
Line by Line Meaning
All of your friends started wondering why
Your friends began questioning your behavior
You were choking back tears at an easy goodbye
You were holding back tears during a simple farewell
Everything started feeling urgent today
You felt a sudden sense of urgency
When you open your mouth, you have nothing to say
You struggle to find words when speaking
Jaywalker with your head hung low, you never saw it coming
Unexpected events have left you feeling lost
Moving your lips like you're wanting to smile
You pretend to be happy when you're not
Everything that you love always goes out of style
Things you cherish always seem to fade away
Took a good chance on a triumph or two
You took risks that led to success
Hangin' around town never looked good on you
You never fit in staying in one place
It's been a few years, you can barely recall
Your memories are fading with time
Why the things that you said have you feeling so small
Your words have made you feel insignificant
Thirty-one years, now you're up on your feet
After many years, you're finally standing strong
Staring down at your shoes as you're crossing the street
You focus on the ground while moving forward
Woke up confused in a hospital gown
You regained consciousness in a hospital
With your arm in a sling and nobody around
Alone with an injured arm in a sling
Dreamed about Judy, she was driving a car
In your dream, Judy was driving a vehicle
You were crossing the street, didn't get very far
Your progress was limited while crossing
Jaywalker with your head hung low, you never saw it coming
Unexpected events have left you feeling lost
Jaywalker with your head hung low, you never saw it coming
Unexpected events have left you feeling lost
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Andy Shauf
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
KP Delaney
Such a cool and unpredictable melody! Very difficult to hum along to until I hear this song a few more times. Looking forward to exploring more of Andy's music.
Ryan Nova
the iconic drum & bass from Andy, hoping to hear some of the clarinets on the full collection.
Daphne Blue
I love this song so much, but the video makes me love it even more 💙
James Hatton
this is the greatest music video of all time
Jeanie Vo
Can't believe we've finally got the studio version of this. And it's great as always.
ur boy
I love this man.
Ana Florentina
I absolutely love it!!! Thank you!!! You truly are the best!!!✨🎼❤️
Conner Dearing
You’re always on the same Andy videos as me lol I assume we’re all excited for the new album
Agaetys Byrjun
I love it as always 😻
TrippleBeem
Best album of 2021 without a question, I hear you, that album was also great, but Wilds had me in the feels for a mini eternity.