Shiver
Cage the Elephant Lyrics

In the first verse, the singer is looking out their window and contemplating how things have ended up the way they are. They may be reflecting on their life or a particular situation that they find themselves in. The mention of it feeling like a tempo lifted by a gentle breeze suggests that they are caught up in the rhythm of life, perhaps feeling swept away and out of control.

The following line "Ugly as a suitcase, I can see it stretch for days" introduces a sense of weariness and frustration with a prolonged situation. The suitcase imagery implies a burden that is unattractive and cumbersome to carry. The stretch for days implies that this situation feels never-ending and overwhelming.

"Hanging on a sunset, softly trampled by the rain" in the next line adds to the contrast and conflict in the singer's emotions. On one hand, hanging on a sunset refers to holding onto moments of beauty and hope. However, the image of the sunset being softly trampled by the rain symbolizes how these hopeful moments can be easily overshadowed by hardships and challenges.

The repetition of "way too long," "hold on," and "dead and gone" in the chorus emphasizes the singer's feelings of being stuck and unable to let go of the past. These phrases convey a sense of frustration and longing for things to change. The repetition of "so long" suggests a farewell to whatever has been holding them back, while still desperately trying to hold on.

In the second verse, the singer continues to look out their window, searching for a safe place or a refuge from their current situation. Climbing up to the tree tops symbolizes seeking a higher perspective, a way to distance themselves from their problems and observe from a different angle. They hope that doing so will make everything they're going through drift away.

The repetition of the chorus in the second half of the song reinforces the singer's longing to break free from whatever is holding them back. The echoes of "way too long," "hold on," and "dead and gone" express their feelings of being trapped for far too long, desperately trying to hold on while simultaneously acknowledging that it is time to let go. The repetition of "so long" can be seen as a final goodbye to whatever has been restraining them.

Overall, "Shiver" by Cage the Elephant explores feelings of frustration, weariness, and the longing for change. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a person who is looking for a way out of their current situation, longing for things to be different. The repetition in the chorus emphasizes the internal struggle between holding on and letting go, highlighting the complexity of the singer's emotions.