The song was released as the album's lead single in the United Kingdom and second in the United States following the single "Yellow". The single reached number 35 on the UK Singles Chart, and its critical reception has been generally positive.
"Shiver" was written two years before its release. Martin allegedly wrote the song while thinking of Australian singer-songwriter Natalie Imbruglia, the woman with whom he was linked at the time, but he later denied it was about her. Other accounts have claimed that Imbruglia was indeed not Martin's inspiration for writing the song. Instead, he appeared to have been inspired by girlfriends in his teenage years and early 20s. Martin actually wrote the song on a "glum" day, when he felt he would never find the right woman for him. He described it as something of a "stalking song", admitting he wrote it for a specific woman. In addition, Martin wrote the song while listening to music of Buckley, and had claimed it is their "most blatant rip-off song".
"Shiver" was recorded in Rockfield Studios in Wales, United Kingdom, where the band was booked by A&R representative Dan Keeling to begin working on the band's debut album, Parachutes. Keeling was disappointed with the early demos presented to him, saying it "didn't have any of their passion, their energy", a result of the band's freshly resolved internal pressure in the time. Keeling deemed the demos as "limp" and asked the band to redo it. Smaller parts of the song were recorded at Parr Street Studios in Liverpool, England, where the band relocated after Christmas in 1999.
The song was produced by Coldplay and British record producer Ken Nelson. As with most songs in the album, Nelson used an analogue desk in recording "Shiver". The guitar was re-dubbed in search of perfection, while Martin de-tuned his guitar to easily generate complex chord sequences. Martin's vocals were recorded in more than one take, but the band chose the one with a single take.
"Shiver" is in the alternative rock genre. A review claims that Coldplay's indie rock inclinations are obvious in the song. "Shiver" has been perceived to have influences of Buckley, whom Coldplay's early song influences were drawn from. Martin later said of the song that it was "a blatant Jeff Buckley attempt, not quite as good, that's what I think".
Shiver
Coldplay Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But you pay me no attention, do you?
I know you don't listen to me
'Cause you say you see straight through me, don't you?
But on and on, from the moment I wake
To the moment I sleep
I'll be there by your sideJust you try and stop me
I'll be waiting in line
Just to see if you care
Oh-oh
Did you want me to change?
Well I changed for good
And I want you to know
That you'll always get your way
I wanted to say
Don't you shiver
Shiver
Sing it loud and clear
I'll always be waiting for you
So you know how much I need you
But you never even see me, do you?
And is this my final chance of getting you?
But on and on, from the moment I wake
To the moment I sleep
I'll be there by your side
Just you try and stop me
I'll be waiting in line
Oh-oh
Did you want me to change?
Well I changed for good
And I want you to know
That you'll always get your way
I wanted to say
Don't you shiver
Don't you shiver
Sing it loud and clear
I'll always be waiting for you
Yeah, I'll always be waiting for you
Yeah, I'll always be waiting for you
Yeah, I'll always be waiting for you
For you, I will always be waiting
And it's you I see, but you don't see me
And it's you I hear, so loud and so clear
I sing it loud and clear
And I'll always be waiting for you
So I look in your direction
But you pay me no attention
And you know how much I need you
But you never even see me
The lyrics to Coldplay's song "Shiver" describe unrequited love and longing for someone who doesn't seem to feel the same way. The singer of the song is besotted with this person and is always there waiting for them, but they seem to be invisible to them. The first two lines describe how the singer is looking at this person, but they are not paying attention. The next two lines explain that the singer knows their love interest doesn't listen to them because they say they can see right through them.
Despite the lack of attention or interest from their love interest, the singer remains persistent in their love, and they pledge to be there by their side always. The chorus repeats twice and is a plea to their love interest for attention and to be noticed. They ask if their love interest wants them to change, then declares they have changed for good, and they always seem to do things their way. The ending of the song describes how the singer sees the person but feels invisible to them, and they will always be waiting for them.
Overall, the song captures the essence of unrequited love and the pain of feeling unseen and unnoticed. The chorus is catchy and emotional and is a plea to be acknowledged for the feelings that are being expressed.
Line by Line Meaning
So I look in your direction
I am staring at you, hoping for attention
But you pay me no attention, do you?
However, you ignore me completely
I know you don't listen to me
I am aware that you don't hear what I am saying
'Cause you say you see straight through me, don't you?
Because you claim to understand my intentions without me telling you
But on and on, from the moment I wake
Every day, starting from the moment I wake up
To the moment I sleep
Until the time I go to bed
I'll be there by your side
I will always be near you
Just you try and stop me
You can't prevent me from doing so
I'll be waiting in line
I will wait for my turn patiently
Just to see if you care
To find out if you have any feelings for me
Oh-oh
Exclamation of a feeling or realization
Did you want me to change?
Did you want me to become different?
Well I changed for good
I changed myself positively
And I want you to know
I hope you understand
That you'll always get your way
You will always have what you want
I wanted to say
There is something I wanted to express
Don't you shiver
Don't tremble or shake
Shiver
It's okay to tremble if you need to
Sing it loud and clear
Declare it openly and boldly
I'll always be waiting for you
I will never stop waiting for you
So you know how much I need you
I hope that you understand how important you are to me
But you never even see me, do you?
Unfortunately, you don't even acknowledge my existence
And is this my final chance of getting you?
Could this be my last opportunity to be with you?
Yeah, I'll always be waiting for you
Yes, I will continue to wait for you
For you, I will always be waiting
I will never stop waiting for you
And it's you I see, but you don't see me
I see only you, while you remain oblivious to me
And it's you I hear, so loud and so clear
I hear your voice resonate with such clarity
I sing it loud and clear
I express myself with passion and sincerity
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Christopher Anthony John Martin, Guy Rupert Berryman, Jonathan Mark Buckland, William Champion
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jeannie Smith
Also I'd like to add that this song and some oyher stuff makes me think of The Bee Gees for some reason.
Jeannie Smith
I like this because of Lucy who's knickname is Shivers.
@samyjoseph4798
Old coldplay was just on another level
@jowill76
Nothing better!!!
@humbertotello4031
@@jowill76 de todo y un fuerte abrazo
@allisonscott1174
Oldplay* ❤️🧡💛
@pauljordan4452
@@allisonscott1174 Youngplay. The boys were in their early 20s here.
@matheuscastordeazevedo2128
I lost the count of how many times I heard parachute, X&Y and hush blood to the head. Just another band from what it is today. And just something from another world. Some people told me that it was depressing. For me it's better than a anti-depressant. Makes me fell floaty.
@avozdageracaode816
When I talk about Coldplay, this is what I am talking about!
I miss these times.
@Timmylopez50.
Thanks for that timmy Lopez ❤😊😊