Sideways
Cool Hand Luke Lyrics

The opening lines of the song 'Sideways' by Cool Hand Luke, "Last night my shadow ran from me, it bowed its head in shame" is a metaphorical way of describing how the singer's inner self or soul is not at peace with him. His shadow, which is supposed to be physically and symbolically connected to him, is running away from him, indicating that something is wrong. The singer then admits that he's unable to face himself, his reflection, or even his name. He's ashamed of who he is, and he feels lost and disoriented.

The repeated refrain, "Sometimes I choose to forget about you, sometimes I choose to ignore the truth" may refer to his relationship with someone significant. He tries to push away the memories of that person and deny the truth of their situation. Then the singer likens his situation to the biblical account of Adam and Eve's fall, where they tried to hide from God by covering themselves with fig leaves. He tries to hide from the familiar white light, a metaphor for God's truth and presence. The next few lines of the song reiterate how he's longing for someone's touch, but he feels unworthy because he has dirty hands. The last line of the song, "I'm seeing sideways because I've fallen down again, and it's so hard to find my way" encapsulates the essence of the song. The singer is struggling, searching for his way back, but the fall keeps him from moving forward.