Their name comes from a term that refers to Indian immigrants that move to England, in that they often own street corner stores. Their music is a fusion of Indian music, British indie rock, and electronic dance.
In 1997, Cornershop shot into the UK charts with the song 'Brimful of Asha' reaching number 60! Things changed when DJ Norman Cook (aka Fatboy Slim) remixed the track for re-release in 1998. The remix topped the chart, selling over 200,000 copies in 7 days! The track featured lyrics about Bollywood playback singer, Asha Bhosle.
Shut Southall Down
Cornershop Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Dooba rahun jaane jaa
Socha na jaaye kuchh aur bhi
Ek tere shiwa
Din beete jaise taise
Raatein guzaaron kaise
Saanso ki yeh betaabi
Jeene na degi aise
Aa jaa yeh toh bata de
Aa jaa jeena shikha de
Aa jaa yeh toh bata de
Aa jaa jeena shikha de
Reh na sakoon main tere been
Tanhaaiyon ke saare mausam
Kaise katenge yeh safar
Aise akele mere hum-dam
Din beete jaise taise
Raatein guzarun kaise
Saanson ki yeh betaabi
Jeene ja degi aise
Aa ja yeh toh bata de
Aa ja jeena shikha de
Aa ja yeh toh bata de
Aa ja jeena shikha de
Lamhein puraane yaadon pe chhaye
Dil mein junoon ka woh daor hai
Kaise manaaye, maanega na yeh
Dil pe bhala kaise zor hai
Suni suni si reh guzar
khoye khoye se hain nazaarein
Tum been jeeye na jaayega
Ruthi ruthi si bahaarein
Shaam o sehar teri yaad mein
Dooba rahun jaane jaa
Socha na jaaye kuchh aur bhi
Ek tere shiwa
Din beete jaise taise
Raatein guzaaroon kaise
Saanson ki yeh betaabi
Jeene na degi aise
Aa jaa ye to bata de
Aa jaa jeena shikha de
Aa jaa ye to bata de
Aa jaa jeena shikha de
The lyrics of Cornershop’s “Shut Southall Down” explore themes of longing, loss, and heartbreak over a lost love. The opening lines set the tone for the rest of the song with the declaration, “In the remembrance of day and night, I drown, my love…Don’t make me think of anything else, except just you.” The singer is consumed by thoughts of their beloved and cannot stop thinking about them. They are haunted by their absence and the memories they shared, and the pain of being apart is overwhelming.
The lyrics continue with the singer describing how they cannot bear to live without their love. They are lost and alone, unable to find meaning or happiness in anything except the presence of their beloved. The repetition of the line, “Aa jaa, jeena shikha de” (Come and teach me how to live), emphasizes this point, as the singer implores their love to return and show them how to find joy in life once again. They are willing to do anything to be reunited with their partner, even if it means enduring the pain of separation until that day arrives.
In conclusion, “Shut Southall Down” is a poignant and heartfelt tribute to lost love. The lyrics encapsulate the deep emotions and feelings of hopelessness and longing that come with heartbreak, while also expressing a glimmer of hope that love can conquer all if given the chance.
Line by Line Meaning
Shaam-o-sehar teri yaad mein
I am lost day and night in your memories
Dooba rahun jaane jaa
I am overwhelmed and unable to recover
Socha na jaaye kuchh aur bhi
I cannot fathom anything else
Ek tere shiwa
Other than you
Din beete jaise taise
The days pass in a blur
Raatein guzaaron kaise
I am unable to spend the nights
Saanso ki yeh betaabi
My breathlessness
Jeene na degi aise
Will not let me live
Aa jaa yeh toh bata de
Come and tell me
Aa jaa jeena shikha de
Teach me how to live
Reh na sakoon main tere been
I cannot survive without you
Tanhaaiyon ke saare mausam
All the seasons of loneliness
Kaise katenge yeh safar
How will I survive this journey
Aise akele mere hum-dam
Alone and helpless
Lamhein puraane yaadon pe chhaye
Old memories haunt me
Dil mein junoon ka woh daor hai
My heart is overflowing with passion
Kaise manaaye, maanega na yeh
How can I control it, it won't listen
Dil pe bhala kaise zor hai
How can I overcome this feeling in my heart
Suni suni si reh guzar
The path is empty
khoye khoye se hain nazaarein
All the sights are lost
Tum been jeeye na jaayega
I cannot live without you
Ruthi ruthi si bahaarein
The spring season is sulking
Contributed by Sarah K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.