Gomez completed an inaugural U.S. tour opening for Eagle-Eye Cherry in October 1998, while the press still offered praise (Spin magazine called Bring It On "a damn beautiful album," giving it an eight out of ten rating). Liquid Skin followed one year later and went platinum in England, and the rarities/B-sides compilation Abandoned Shopping Trolley Hotline appeared in 2000. A third studio album, In Our Gun, was released in spring 2002. Another hiatus saw Ian Ball relocating to Los Angeles while still working with the band at its new studio in Portslade, England. The dozens of tracks recorded during this time were whittled down and fashioned into Split the Difference, released in May of 2004. By that time, Hut, the group's original label, had gone under, leaving Gomez signed to Virgin (Hut's distributor). Despite all the critical acclaim, the band's album sales never seemed to match Virgin's expectations, and the two sides parted ways later that year.
In 2005, Gomez signed with ATO Records and released Out West, the group's first live album. How We Operate arrived in May 2006, and the band rounded out the year by assembling a retrospective collection of singles, rarities, and unreleased tracks entitled Five Men in a Hut: Singles 1998-2004. Gomez's members were spread across two continents by this point, leading to a three-year gap between How We Operate and the band's sixth studio release, A New Tide, parts of which were recorded individually by the various bandmates and then merged online. Ben Ottewell took some time after its release to launch a solo career, with 2011's Shapes & Shadows marking his first major release outside of the band. Months later, the band released another studio album, Whatever's on Your Mind, with Phantom Planet's Sam Farrar sharing production duties with the bandmates themselves.
Biography by Greg Prato
Shot Shot
Gomez Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Think I seen you before
Blank blank do ya
You looked a lot older
You been workin' out
what's wrong with that
Well he came back and
Shot shot to the
He found a good reason
Do it for the money
what's wrong with that
Control your bad side in to peril
We come down
Hold the line
You're so fine
Dead wrong
So please stop talking
Start puckering up
My ears are blank
Its the special occasions
You do it for the money
Can't go wrong with that
Explode or capsize
Provide my poet
If you're down
Tow the line
You're so fine
Dead wrong
The song "Shot Shot" by Gomez is an upbeat rock song that deals with themes of money, power, and control. The song opens with the singer meeting an acquaintance and commenting on how much older they look. After some small talk, the song shifts to a chorus about shooting and finding a reason for doing what you do. The lyrics suggest that people often make choices based on financial gain, and that there is nothing inherently wrong with that.
The lyrics then turn to a more cryptic message, with phrases like "control your bad side in to peril" and "explode or capsize" appearing. The singer seems to be warning someone not to let their darker side take control, even though that side can be very powerful. The chorus returns once again, driving home the message that people do things for money all the time. The song ends with the singer telling someone to "tow the line" and stay in control, even if there are powerful temptations pushing them in the other direction.
Overall, the song seems to be about the dangers of greed and the importance of staying in control. While the lyrics are somewhat cryptic, they seem to suggest that people often make choices based on financial gain, even when it may not be in their best interest. The chorus is especially effective at driving home this message, with its insistent repetition of the phrase "do it for the money".
Line by Line Meaning
Well hey, how's tricks man
Greetings! How have you been?
Think I seen you before
I believe we've met previously
Blank blank do ya
What brings you here today?
You looked a lot older
You seem to have aged quite a bit
You been workin' out
Have you been exercising lately?
what's wrong with that
There's no reason that's a problem
Well he came back and
He returned and
Came marching in
Entered with purpose
Shot shot to the
Fired at
He found a good reason
He discovered a valid justification
Do it for the money
Acting in exchange for financial gain
what's wrong with that
There's no problem with that
Control your bad side in to peril
Refrain from letting your negative impulses lead you to danger
We come down
We arrive
Hold the line
Stay the course
You're so fine
You're fantastic
Dead wrong
Incorrect
So please stop talking
Please cease your talking
Start puckering up
Begin to kiss
My ears are blank
I hear nothing
Its the special occasions
This is a unique circumstance
You do it for the money
You're acting for financial gain
Can't go wrong with that
There's no downside to that
Explode or capsize
Either burst open or sink
Provide my poet
Give me your musings
If you're down
If you're available
Tow the line
Follow the rules
You're so fine
You're excellent
Dead wrong
Wrong
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: BEN OTTEWELL, IAN THOMAS BALL, OLIVER JAMES PEACOCK, PAUL BLACKBURN, THOMAS WILLIAM GRAY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Noa Levy
I will never forget hearing this for the first time. Freaking phenomenal!!! such a unique sound.. the sax and that drum roll at 1:44....
zoe Henderson
Love all the albums by gomez, love how each album differs to suit whatever mood fits. This one is definitely a story of misbehaving. Still listening to them 20 years on 🥰
Lucas Rodríguez Broggi
Una banda que marcó mi vida. De lo mejor que escuché en este siglo!
Lisa Carter
Love this song!! This and "See the World" are my favs by this band.
ste rooney
What a way to open an album, i fkn love this son (and this group!), love the way the sax comes in a split second before all the other instruments just after the pause!!!!!
Epicosity
I actually WANT them to make a 10 minute version of this
Debbie van den Brink
Well chuffed that I’ve got their CD..and bloody good memories with this tune….when you could have a life 😎
Linzey Thompson
Love this song!!!! LOVVE IT!
Paul Fenney
One of their best in my opinion
Doona Michelle
Effing Brilliant
ONE OF THEIR BEST