Girlysound is the moniker under which singer-songwriter Liz Phair recorded … Read Full Bio ↴Girlysound is the moniker under which singer-songwriter Liz Phair recorded several self-produced cassettes in 1991. Recorded on a 4-track tape recorder in her childhood bedroom at her parent's house and initially given only to two people by Phair, Chris Brokaw and Tae Won Yu, these tapes became somewhat of a sensation in the American tape trading/zine subculture. In 1992, Phair signed a deal with Matador Records on the strength of a tape she had sent in consisting of 6 Girly Sound tracks. Phair's debut album Exile in Guyville is largely a reworking of songs from these tapes. None of the Girly Sound tapes has ever been given an official release (5 tracks were released in 1995 on the Juvenilia EP), though Phair has frequently gone back and reworked many of the songs for her studio albums throughout her career. As a result, Phair's Girly Sound tapes are still one of the most sought-after alternative-rock bootlegs.

Although originally consisting of a total of 3 cassettes, the most common version of the Girly Sound tapes that circulated among Phair's fans was an incomplete 2 disc compilation of songs from all 3 tapes released on the "Bliss and Phetish" bootleg label. An earlier bootleg compilation of Girly Sound material, "Secretly Timid", was also released. Early in 2006, mp3s of first generation copies of the first 2 tapes were introduced via Phair's online community, bringing to light the original track listing, correct song names, and album titles and more importantly introducing a number of songs that did not appear on the previous Girly Sound bootlegs. The third Girly Sound tape and information of its complete contents remains elusive.

Shane
Girlysound Lyrics

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I know that it was the night the war broke out,
Because you and I were driving around...
And you were doing a story
About if people understood what had happened to their world...

Tonight, in bed, sleeping;
The world, tonight, in bed, asleep...

You said that you were in touch with the draft resistors,
In case the big boys called you up...
You're gonna have to let 'em dick you around,
But don't let 'em make you do what you can't live with...

Tonight, in bed with me, sleeping,
You looked like you were just a little kid...
"Shane," I said, "You've gotta watch your ass."

You gotta have fear in your heart...
You gotta have fear in your heart...
You gotta have fear in your heart...
You gotta have fear in your heart...
You gotta have fear in your heart...
You gotta have fear in your heart...
You gotta have fear in your heart...
You gotta have fear in your heart...
You gotta have fear in your heart...
You gotta have fear in your heart...
You gotta have fear in your heart...
You gotta have fear in your heart...
You gotta have fear in your heart...
You gotta have fear in your heart...
You gotta have fear in your heart...
You gotta have fear in your heart...
You gotta have fear in your heart...
You gotta have fear in your heart...
You gotta have fear in your heart...
You gotta have fear in your heart...
You gotta have fear in your heart...
You gotta have fear in your heart...
You gotta have fear in your heart...

You gotta have fear in your heart...
You gotta have fear in your heart...

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Girlysound's song "Shane" are deeply introspective and emotional, painting a picture of a world on the brink of war and a young couple driving around, discussing the implications of the conflict. The singer of the song, presumably the singer herself, reflects on the fear and anxiety that grip both her and her partner, "Shane," as they contemplate the prospect of being drafted into military service. She speaks of being in touch with draft resistors and the need to resist the pressure to compromise one's values or do things that are morally questionable or unacceptable.

The repeated refrain of "You gotta have fear in your heart" underscores the central theme of the song, which is the idea that in times of great uncertainty and upheaval, fear is a necessary, even life-saving emotion. It is this sense of fear that motivates the singer to warn Shane to "watch his ass" and be mindful of the dangers around every corner. At the same time, there is an acknowledgment that fear can be overwhelming and debilitating, a burden that must be borne as a necessary evil.

Overall, "Shane" is a powerful meditation on the human toll of war and a testament to the resilience and strength that individuals can draw from one another in times of crisis.

Line by Line Meaning

I know that it was the night the war broke out,
I remember the exact night the war started because you and I were driving around together. You were reporting on whether people understood what was happening to the world.

Tonight, in bed, sleeping; The world, tonight, in bed, asleep...
As I lie in my comfortable bed tonight, the rest of the world is also sleeping soundly, seemingly unaware of the turmoil and conflict happening outside their doorsteps.

You said that you were in touch with the draft resistors, In case the big boys called you up...
You mentioned that you were in communication with the draft resistors, just in case you were called to participate in the war effort by the authorities in power.

You're gonna have to let 'em dick you around, But don't let 'em make you do what you can't live with...
You recognized that you may have to face some mistreatment or unfairness at the hands of those in power, but you also knew that there are some things you simply couldn't do without sacrificing your own well-being and values.

Tonight, in bed with me, sleeping, You looked like you were just a little kid... 'Shane,' I said, 'You've gotta watch your ass.'
As I gazed at you laying beside me, vulnerable and innocent in sleep, I couldn't help but feel protective of you. I called out to you by name and reminded you to be vigilant and cautious.

You gotta have fear in your heart... You gotta have fear in your heart... You gotta have fear in your heart...
Repeatedly and urgently, you insisted that it's crucial to keep some fear within ourselves, as a way of staying aware of the dangers and consequences of our actions.

You gotta have fear in your heart... You gotta have fear in your heart...
With your voice growing more intense and desperate, you repeated your previous statement, emphasizing the importance of having a healthy level of fear within us.

You gotta have fear in your heart... You gotta have fear in your heart... You gotta have fear in your heart...
Once again, you drove the message home that fear can be a valuable tool for self-preservation and informed decision-making, especially in times of uncertainty and danger.

You gotta have fear in your heart... You gotta have fear in your heart... You gotta have fear in your heart...
The repetition of this phrase suggests that you felt strongly about this message and wanted to ensure that your listener truly internalizes it.

Contributed by Logan S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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