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.
The Moon
Andy Shauf Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I focus my eyes, I guess he's probably right
"Did you drag me off of my couch
So we could sit here in silence until we say goodnight?"
He says, "We need a change of scene
Let's go to the bar around the corner where it's always dark"
And as we're putting our money down
Claire's asking Charlie if we're hitting the town
She says, I'd be down for the moon"
But I didn't bring my helmet," she catches me rolling my eyes
So I say, "I packed a spare"
I don't think it saves me but she doesn't seem to care
She's asking Rose for her bill
And just as she's paying Judy walks in the door
She's giving Charlie a hug
She won't look in my eyes but she asks where we're going
He says, "We're making our way to the moon and we're taking off soon"
Judy laughs a little too hard
I didn't think it was that funny the first time around
Claire asks if she'd like to join
She says, "That'd be nice" and I don't know what the hell's going on
But soon we're walking the street
Charlie's walking with Claire, Judy's walking with me
I say, "I didn't expect to see you"
She says, "To be honest I knew exactly where you'd be"
And I say, "Making my way to the moon" and she laughs too soon
That old feeling pours over me
Reaches to the pit of my stomach so I reach for her hand
She pulls it away from me
She says, "You know it can't be like that
We'll just make our way to the moon and I'll see you soon"
In Andy Shauf's song "The Moon," the lyrics depict a scene where the singer and his friends are out at a bar, contemplating their evening plans. The first verse introduces a conversation between the singer and someone else, questioning whether they will spend the night feeling down. This prompts the decision to go to a dark bar around the corner for a change of scene. As they are getting ready to leave, Claire asks Charlie if they are going out to have a good time, to which Charlie responds that they are making their way to the moon metaphorically, implying that they are seeking an escape from their current reality.
The second verse reveals that another person, Judy, joins the group. She seems to have a troubled past with the singer, as he catches her glance when he rolls his eyes. Despite this tension, the singer tries to appease the situation by mentioning he packed a spare helmet for their journey to the moon. The group discusses their plans and Judy asks where they are heading, to which Charlie repeats that they are making their way to the moon.
In the final verse, the group is now walking the streets together. The singer is surprised to see Judy and admits it, to which she responds that she knew exactly where he would be. This suggests a familiarity between them. However, Judy quickly dismisses any romantic notions by stating that their connection cannot be like that. Instead, she suggests they will still embark on their journey to the moon, but their paths will diverge. The song ends with a sense of longing and bittersweet uncertainty about the future.
Overall, "The Moon" explores themes of escapism, longing, and the complexities of relationships. The moon serves as a metaphorical destination away from their current reality, representing a desire for a change or a fresh start. The interactions between the characters suggest a mix of frustration, nostalgia, and a search for connection. Through these lyrics, Andy Shauf captures a sense of melancholy and the complexities of human emotions.
Line by Line Meaning
Are you gonna mope all night?
Am I going to dwell in sadness throughout the night?
I focus my eyes, I guess he's probably right
I pay attention and realize that he is likely correct
Did you drag me off of my couch
So we could sit here in silence until we say goodnight?
Did you force me to leave my comfort just to sit here silently until we part ways?
He says, "We need a change of scene
Let's go to the bar around the corner where it's always dark"
He suggests that we should go to a different place, specifically a dimly lit bar nearby
And as we're putting our money down
Claire's asking Charlie if we're hitting the town
While we are preparing to pay, Claire asks Charlie if we are going out and having a good time
He says, "We're making our way to the moon and we're taking off soon"
He expresses that we are metaphorically heading towards a blissful state and preparing to depart soon
She says, I'd be down for the moon"
But I didn't bring my helmet," she catches me rolling my eyes
She expresses her willingness to experience joy, but humorously acknowledges that she did not come fully prepared
So I say, "I packed a spare"
I don't think it saves me but she doesn't seem to care
In response, I inform her that I have an extra helmet, although I doubt it truly benefits me, yet she doesn't show concern
She's asking Rose for her bill
And just as she's paying Judy walks in the door
She requests the bill from Rose, and coincidentally, just as she is settling the payment, Judy arrives
She's giving Charlie a hug
She won't look in my eyes but she asks where we're going
She embraces Charlie warmly, intentionally avoiding eye contact with me, yet inquires about our destination
He says, "We're making our way to the moon and we're taking off soon"
Charlie reiterates that we are figuratively progressing towards happiness and departing shortly
Judy laughs a little too hard
I didn't think it was that funny the first time around
Judy laughs excessively, which surprises me as I didn't find the situation as amusing during the initial encounter
Claire asks if she'd like to join
She says, "That'd be nice" and I don't know what the hell's going on
Claire invites Judy to accompany us, and she responds positively, leaving me feeling confused and unaware of the situation
But soon we're walking the street
Charlie's walking with Claire, Judy's walking with me
Nevertheless, we start strolling down the street with Charlie accompanying Claire, while Judy walks beside me
I say, "I didn't expect to see you"
She says, "To be honest I knew exactly where you'd be"
I express surprise at encountering her, but she truthfully reveals that she anticipated my presence
And I say, "Making my way to the moon" and she laughs too soon
I state that I am striving for happiness, and she laughs prematurely
That old feeling pours over me
Reaches to the pit of my stomach so I reach for her hand
An enduring sensation overwhelms me, engulfing my core, leading me to reach out for her hand
She pulls it away from me
She says, "You know it can't be like that
We'll just make our way to the moon and I'll see you soon"
She withdraws her hand from mine, communicating that our relationship cannot be as I desire, but we can still strive for happiness, with a future meeting in mind
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Andy Shauf
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
stewart richardson
This whole album has such amazing resilience, I could listen to it every day. As far as Andy's albums go I would put this at the top. Amazing.
Ana Florentina
So unbelievable beautiful!!! Like a dream! ❤️
Frode Opheim
Beautiful 🙌
Marcus Metternich
This one reminds me of Joni Mitchell, but I can't figure out which song of Joni. Anyway, very good song. One of my favourite songs from the Neon Skyline.
Mike Anderson
Listening to this album over and over. Is this the first time we meet Judy?
ImaJosha752035
It’s been a while since a song has made me cry
Joshua Emery
Paints such a beautifully sad picture.
Segi gise
<3
Elmen Campos Soza
I cried
Adrian Salgado
💙💔😔