Band members:
Tim Kasher – lead vocals, guitars, organ
Matt Maginn – bass, backing vocals
Clint Schnase – drums, percussion
Ted Stevens – guitars, backing vocals
Patrick Newbery – miscellaneous instruments
1997 - Such Blinding Stars for Starving Eyes
1998 - The Storms of Early Summer
2000 - Domestica
2003 - The Ugly Organ
2006 - Happy Hollow
2009 - Mama, I'm Swollen
2012 - I Am Gemini
2018 - Vitriola
2019 - Get Fixed
Shallow Means Deep Ends
Cursive Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We've dug this hole
The water's fine
I wonder how far down it goes
Down it goes...
Down it goes...
The stars above have lost their shine
The unending plains project a void
Where lovers gawk in pantomime
[scream: So let me up??]
Shallow means, deep ends
When the regret sinks in
Pressure erupts
Which way is up
Swimming at night
We've finally hit, hit...
We've finally hit bottom...!
Swallowing promises back into our lungs
Losing direction of our affections
Alright...
Shallow means, deep ends
When the regret sinks in
Pressure erupts
Which way is up
Down it goes...
Down it goes...
In "Shallow Means Deep Ends," the singer and his lover are swimming together at night in a hole they have dug. As they swim, the singer wonders how far down the water goes. The stars above have lost their shine, and the open plains around them seem to project a void. The couple's love departs their sight, and they are left to gaze at one another in pantomime. The singer screams, "So let me up?" perhaps indicating that the intensity of the relationship has become overwhelming for him.
The chorus repeats the phrase "shallow means, deep ends" several times, suggesting that what may seem insignificant or superficial at first can have serious consequences later. As the regret sinks in and pressure erupts, the couple loses their sense of direction and struggles to find their way back to the surface or to each other. They eventually hit bottom, swallowing their promises and losing direction of their affections. The song ends with a repetition of the phrase "down it goes," indicating a descent or a lack of control.
The lyrics of "Shallow Means Deep Ends" explore the idea that what may seem shallow or insignificant can have deep, profound effects on the way we feel and the choices we make. The image of the couple swimming in a dark hole suggests a feeling of being lost or trapped, while the void projected by the open plains hints at a sense of emptiness or loneliness. The repetition of the phrase "down it goes" reinforces this feeling of a descent into darkness, as the couple struggles to find their way back to the surface or to each other.
Line by Line Meaning
Swimming at night
We're blindly diving into something unknown, taking a risk without being able to see what lies ahead.
We've dug this hole
We've intentionally created a situation that is difficult to get out of, perhaps because we're addicted to some sort of destructive behavior.
The water's fine
Things seem okay on the surface, but there may be unseen dangers lurking beneath.
I wonder how far down it goes
I'm beginning to realize that this situation may be deeper than I initially thought, and I'm not sure how to handle it.
The stars above have lost their shine
The things that used to bring me joy or comfort no longer have the same effect on me.
And so, my love, departs our sight
The love that we once had is fading away, and we can't seem to hold onto it.
The unending plains project a void
There is a sense of emptiness or loneliness that seems to stretch out in front of us, with no end in sight.
Where lovers gawk in pantomime
Even though we're surrounded by other people, it feels like we're the only ones struggling to keep our relationship afloat.
[scream: So let me up??]
I'm feeling overwhelmed and trapped, and I just want a way out of this situation.
Shallow means, deep ends
Things that seem superficial or insignificant can actually lead to much more serious consequences.
When the regret sinks in
Once we realize the seriousness of the situation, we may start to feel guilty or remorseful for our actions.
Pressure erupts
The stress and anxiety of the situation can become too much to handle and may lead to outbursts or breakdowns.
Which way is up
We're so turned around and confused that we don't know which way to go or what to do next.
We've finally hit, hit...
We've reached the breaking point, the moment when everything comes crashing down.
We've finally hit bottom...!
Things can't get any worse than they are right now.
Swallowing promises back into our lungs
We're taking back all the things we said we would do or be, because we realize we can't follow through.
Losing direction of our affections
Our love or attraction to each other is fading away, and we can't seem to find a way to reignite it.
Alright...
Even though things are bad, we're going to try to keep going and make the best of it.
Down it goes...
Things are continuing to spiral out of control.
Lyrics © ROUGH TRADE PUBLISHING, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Clint Frederick Schnase, Matthew Ryan Maginn, Ted James Stevens, Tim Kasher
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
gd1z
I've been searching for this song for so long. I couldn't remember the title.
Saleem Karim
Thanks for uploading.
TDK S-R
Reminds me of Ian McKay of Fugazi
Jermaine Artis
I need you
Eric Bishop
143 i,♡,u and love swimming, also your power wheels.had some awesome days back at eight dog wood.♡ u gee-bee.