Such a Shame
Cranberries Lyrics


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Well, I feel so sorry for you
You'll always be the same.
'Cause you're sad, you're sad.
And I think you're very selfish,

And you play a vicious game,
'Cause you're bad, you're bad.
And you'll end up very lonely
And you may end up in pain

'Cause you're mad, you're mad.
I think you're awful,
I think you're horrible,
A waste of space

I think you're awful,
I think you're horrible,
A waste of space
'Cause your bad behavior

But you never see.
Such a shame, such a shame
You'll always be the same
I'm sickened for the mother

Who endured your pain.
Such a shame, such a shame
You'll always be the same
I'm sickened for the mother

Who endured your pain.
Arrogance, ignorance,
Arrogance, ignorance,
Arrogance, ignorance...

Ooh, ooh...
I should think you're very selfish
I should think you're very sad,
It's your bad behavior.

I should think you're very thankless
For the things you never had
It's your bad behavior.
I think you're awful,
I think you're horrible,

A waste of space.
I think you're awful,
I think you're horrible,
A waste of space.

It's your bad behavior
Who care, but you never see.
Such a shame, such a shame
You'll always be the same

I'm sickened for the mother
Who endured your pain.
Such a shame, such a shame
You'll always be the same

I'm sickened for the mother
Who endured your pain.
Such a shame, such a shame
Such a fool, such a fool
Such a clown, such a clown
Such a shamble...

Such a shame, such a shame
Such a fool, such a fool
Such a clown, such a clown
Such a shamble...
Such a shame, such a shame
Such a fool, such a fool
Such a clown, such a clown
Such a shamble...

(Arrogance, ignorance,




Arrogance, ignorance,
Arrogance, ignorance...)

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of The Cranberries' song "Such a Shame" are quite straightforward and touch upon a sensitive topic – bad behavior and its consequences. The song's chorus "such a shame, such a shame, you'll always be the same" is a direct reference to how damaging and long-lasting the effects of negative personality traits can be. Throughout the song, the lead singer Dolores O'Riordan labels the person she's addressing as selfish, sad, and bad. These being strong words, the message is clear - dreadful behavior often leads to negative life outcomes.


As the song progresses, O'Riordan becomes more passionate and emotional, highlighting just how negatively our actions can impact those around us. She's "sickened" for the mother who endured pain at their hands, further emphasizing the long-term effects of poor behavior. The last few lines of the song reflect more on the subject's character, calling them a clown and a fool, and highlighting their arrogance and ignorance.


Line by Line Meaning

Well, I feel so sorry for you
I sympathize with you, but at the same time, I feel bad for you.


You'll always be the same.
You will never change and improve yourself.


'Cause you're sad, you're sad.
You are unhappy and it reflects in your behavior.


And I think you're very selfish,
You only care about yourself and have no concern for others.


And you play a vicious game,
You tend to manipulate and deceive people for your own benefit.


'Cause you're bad, you're bad.
Your behavior is bad and it negatively affects those around you.


And you'll end up very lonely
Your behavior will eventually make you lose all your friends and be alone.


And you may end up in pain
Your selfish and bad behavior may lead to negative consequences and physical/emotional pain.


'Cause you're mad, you're mad.
You are angry and irrational in your behavior.


I think you're awful,
I think of you as terrible and unacceptable.


I think you're horrible,
I think you are extremely unpleasant and abhorrent.


A waste of space
You are not worth the time and effort people give you.


But you never see.
You are so blinded by your behavior that you cannot see the damage you are causing.


Such a shame, such a shame
It's very unfortunate that you refuse to change and improve yourself.


You'll always be the same
You will never change despite the opportunity to do so.


I'm sickened for the mother Who endured your pain.
I feel bad for the mother who had to deal with the consequences of your behavior and actions.


Arrogance, ignorance,
You are very self-centered and have no idea how your actions affect other people.


Ooh, ooh...
Sound effect conveying disgust or displeasure.


It's your bad behavior.
Your behavior is the root of all your problems.


I should think you're very thankless
You do not appreciate the good things that others do for you.


For the things you never had
You tend to focus on what you don't have instead of what you do have.


Who care, but you never see.
Others care and try to help you, but you are too self-centered to see it.


Such a fool, such a fool
You are acting foolishly and mess up your life.


Such a clown, such a clown
You are acting so foolish and ridiculous that people are laughing at you.


Such a shamble...
You are a complete mess.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DOLORES MARY O'RIORDAN, NOEL HOGAN

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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