Shadow People
Dr. Dog Lyrics
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The streets are swimming with the sharks
It's the right night for the wrong company
And there ain't nothing 'round here to look at
Move along, move along
The neon lights on Baltimore
Every shadow's getting famous
Hoping these cigarettes will save us
Here we go again
Here we go again
You got rings in your ears
And you got kicked around and made up
Looking high, looking low
Where did all the shadow people go?
Where did all the shadow people go?
I wanna know (Whoa!)
Where the shadow people go
I stole a bike from the 2ndd Mile
Saw a band play in the basement
I crossed the path of a friend of mine
And I know what that look upon her face meant
Something's gone from her eye
Something's gone wrong
You could be a woman or you could be a man
Wear the glove on the other hand
Or you could be twisted
Or you could be insane
Pushing the envelope against the grain
Just playing along
Just playing along
And I got something on my mind
And I got voices on the other line
Saying hi, saying hello
Where did all the shadow people go?
Where did all the shadow people go?
I wanna know where the shadow people go
Where the shadow people go
(Where did all the shadow people go?)
Where the shadow people go
(Where did all the shadow people go?)
The lyrics of the song Shadow People by Dr. Dog often allude to a sense of loneliness and disconnection in the modern world, particularly in crowded urban environments. The rain falling and the streets "swimming with the sharks" suggest a sense of danger and foreboding, while the singer tries to find something or someone to connect with. The neon lights of Baltimore and the reference to shadow people suggest a certain anonymity and transience to city life - people passing by one another like shadows, with no real connection or lasting impact.
The singer's mention of stolen bikes, basement bands, and twisted or insane people hints at a certain sense of rebellion or counterculture, as if the singer is searching for something outside the mainstream. However, they also mention feeling lost or disconnected, with "something gone wrong" in their friend's eye and "voices on the other line" suggesting a sense of paranoia or unease.
Overall, the song captures a sense of restlessness and alienation that many people may feel in today's fast-paced, image-driven world. The title "Shadow People" suggests a certain anonymity and lack of substance to modern life, as if people are fading into the background and losing their individuality.
Line by Line Meaning
The rain is falling, it's after dark
It's nighttime and raining outside.
The streets are swimming with the sharks
The city streets are dangerous and filled with predatory people.
It's the right night for the wrong company
The atmosphere is conducive to bad decisions and being around negative influences.
And there ain't nothing 'round here to look at
There's nothing of interest in this area.
Move along, move along
There's nothing to see here, keep going.
The neon lights on Baltimore
City lights illuminate the area surrounding Baltimore.
Every shadow's getting famous
People are being noticed and documented everywhere, even in the shadows.
In some backyard, in some plastic chair
Individuals are profiled regardless of the environment they're in.
Hoping these cigarettes will save us
Smoking is seen as a coping mechanism.
Here we go again
The same negative cycle repeats itself.
You got rings in your ears
The singer's companion has pierced ears.
And you got kicked around and made up
This person has been mistreated and changed themselves to fit in with others.
Looking high, looking low
The singer is searching for something, possibly to escape their current situation.
Where did all the shadow people go?
The singer is wondering where all the people who don't fit in or are overlooked have disappeared to.
I stole a bike from the 2nd Mile
The singer has committed a theft and isn't proud of it.
Saw a band play in the basement
The artist attended a concert in someone's basement, suggesting a disregard for conventional venues.
I crossed the path of a friend of mine
The artist ran into an acquaintance.
And I know what that look upon her face meant
The singer believes they can discern something from their friend's expression.
Something's gone from her eye
The singer notices a change in their friend's demeanor.
Something's gone wrong
The artist believes their friend is in trouble or not doing well mentally.
You could be a woman or you could be a man
The artist isn't concerned with gender or sexual orientation.
Wear the glove on the other hand
Try doing things differently.
Or you could be twisted
People could have unconventional beliefs or be seen as strange.
Or you could be insane
People could be mentally ill.
Pushing the envelope against the grain
People who challenge norms and take risks aren't impressed by the status quo.
Just playing along
Some people go with the flow and don't want to stand out.
And I got something on my mind
The singer is preoccupied with something.
And I got voices on the other line
The artist is receiving communication.
Saying hi, saying hello
The artist's phones or devices are notifying them of received messages.
Where did all the shadow people go?
The singer is still searching for individuals who aren't easily seen or heard in society.
I wanna know where the shadow people go
The singer has a strong desire to find and understand these overlooked individuals.
Where the shadow people go
The chorus repeats the previous lines.
(Where did all the shadow people go?)
The chorus repeats the previous lines with added emphasis.
(Where the shadow people go)
The chorus repeats the previous lines with added emphasis.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Daniel Quine Auerbach, Francis Xavier Mcelroy, Scott A Mcmicken, Toby Mark Leaman
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@mapetiteKatie
The rain is falling it's after dark
The streets are swimming with the sharks
It's the right night for the wrong company
And there ain't nothing 'round here to look at
Move along move along
The neon lights on Baltimore
Every shadow's getting famous
In some backyard in some plastic chair
Hoping these cigarettes will save us
Here we go again (uuuuh)
Here we go again (uuuuh)
You got rings in your ears
And you got kicked around and made up
Looking high looking low
Where did all the shadow people go?
Where did all the shadow people go?
I wanna know (Whoa!)
Where the shadow people go
I stole a bike from the 2nd Mile
Saw a band play in the basement
I crossed the path of a friend of mine
And I know what that look upon her face meant
Something's gone from her eye
Something's gone wrong
You could be a woman or you could be a man
Wear the glove on the other hand
Or you could be twisted
Or you could be insane
Pushing the envelope against the grain
Just playing along (uuuuuuh)
Just playing along (uuuuuh)
And I got something on my mind
And I got voices on the other line
Saying hi saying hello
Where did all the shadow people go?
Where did all the shadow people go?
I wanna know where the shadow people go
Where the shadow people go
(Where did all the shadow people go?)
Where the shadow people go
(Where did all the shadow people go?)
@shayhansen7334
This played while my brother drove me to my high school graduation. It was warm and windy and gave me goosebumps.
@SubSonicGorilla
Your brother is a legend, apparently.
@brunoramirez2602
best kind of legend, apparently
@TheComedyStore
those goosepimples are what we should all look for in life
@FromHyrule
lying ass Shay.. I was there and he was playing 50 Cent. He played this for like 15 seconds.
@W4cK26
That's a sweet little anecdote. Where are you from¿
@jasonberrong482
I tuned the piano in this recording!
@tchwiss
Don't sweat it. We all make mistakes and people have short memories
@iambiggus
And it sounded fucking awesome. Good work!
@mreverythingman1958
Doing God's work, out here. My man!