Grant Lee Buffalo is a Los Angeles-based rock band, consisting of Grant-Lee… Read Full Bio ↴Grant Lee Buffalo is a Los Angeles-based rock band, consisting of Grant-Lee Phillips (vocals and guitar), Paul Kimble (bass) and Joey Peters (drums). All three were previously members of another LA band, Shiva Burlesque. As GLB, they released four albums: Fuzzy (1993), Mighty Joe Moon (1994), Copperopolis (1996) and Jubilee (1998, without Kimble who had left the band the previous year). After the release of Jubilee, the band broke up and Phillips continued to pursue a successful solo career. In 2010 the band reunited and they will be touring again in 2011.

Grant Lee Buffalo has an Americana-tinged sound, clearly influenced by the likes of Neil Young and elements of old-fashioned country music, and often tackled political and social issues in their lyrics (for example, "Lone Star Song" from Mighty Joe Moon references the infamous Waco siege). They toured with major bands of the early-to-mid 1990s such as R.E.M., Pearl Jam and the Smashing Pumpkins.

The Whole Shebang
Grant Lee Buffalo Lyrics

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Darlin' you can't live your life singing songs in exile
You were born for stardom's crown and not for self denial
So don't you close the door on fate when she comes to call
And tell her that you'll join her there at the masqueraders ball
Funny how some people never love at all

We'll take the whole shebang
All or nothing anything

Ecstasy's the birthright of our gang
We'll take the whole shebang
Free your heart of guilt and shame
Come and claim what's yours the whole shebang

Nothing on this earth could hold you prisoner my dear
Except for contemplations evil brother known as fear
But love is extraterrestrial and love falls from the stars
Like Maxwell Demon's silver disc into this world of ours
Funny how we keep on loving true love power

We'll take the whole shebang
All or nothing anything
Ecstasy's the birthright of our gang
We'll take the whole shebang
Free your heart of guilt and shame
Come and claim what's yours the whole shebang

Ta ta ta
Yeah

Kick up your heels and paint your face wave goodbye to yesteryear
We could sway in outer space from the chandelier
Woe sometimes it breaks my heart I hide my tears

We'll take the whole shebang
All or nothing anything
Ecstasy's the birthright of our gang
We'll take the whole shebang
Free your heart of guilt and shame
And come and claim what's yours the whole shebang

We'll take the whole shebang (whole shebang)
All or nothing anything
Ecstasy's the birthright of our gang
We'll take the whole shebang (whole shebang)
Free your heart of guilt and shame

And come and claim what's yours the whole shebang
Yeah yeah yeah

Overall Meaning

The song "The Whole Shebang" by Grant Lee Buffalo is a moving and uplifting anthem to living life to the fullest and not letting fear or self-doubt hold you back. The lyrics encourage the listener to embrace their destiny and take a chance on love, adventure, and the unknown. The singer in the song is urged not to "live [their] life singing songs in exile" but to instead recognize their potential for greatness and embrace all the joys and possibilities that life has to offer.

The chorus is particularly powerful and serves as a call to action: We'll take the whole shebang, all or nothing anything, ecstasy's the birthright of our gang / Free your heart of guilt and shame and come and claim what's yours, the whole shebang." The repetition of "the whole shebang" emphasizes the idea that we should not settle for anything less than everything life has to offer, and that we should not hold back out of a sense of guilt or shame.

The song ends on a hopeful note, with a call to let go of the past and embrace the future: "Kick up your heels and paint your face, wave goodbye to yesteryear / We could sway in outer space from the chandelier / Woe sometimes it breaks my heart I hide my tears." Overall, "The Whole Shebang" is a beautifully written and inspiring song that reminds us to live boldly and embrace our full potential.

Line by Line Meaning

Darlin' you can't live your life singing songs in exile
My dear, you have more potential than singing in loneliness. Take a stand for your talent and never hide it from the world.

You were born for stardom's crown and not for self denial
Your destiny is to be a star, achieve greatness and not be content with mediocrity.

So don't you close the door on fate when she comes to call
When destiny calls, do not avoid it, rather embrace it warmly.

And tell her that you'll join her there at the masqueraders ball
Accept and attend the party of opportunities and fulfill your dreams.

Funny how some people never love at all
It's surprising how some people choose not to love, and instead live a life without passion.

We'll take the whole shebang
We will pursue everything we desire, putting our all into it.

All or nothing anything
We are aiming for the top, with no halfway measures.

Ecstasy's the birthright of our gang
Our group is naturally entitled to happiness, joy, and euphoria.

Free your heart of guilt and shame
Let go of feelings of regret and embarrassment that restrict your heart and soul.

Come and claim what's yours the whole shebang
Go after what you deserve boldly and unapologetically.

Nothing on this earth could hold you prisoner my dear
You are limitless and nothing on this earth can hold you back.

Except for contemplations evil brother known as fear
Fear is the only thing holding you back, blocking you from reaching your full potential.

But love is extraterrestrial and love falls from the stars
The power of love is supernatural, outside the realm of this world and yet constantly present.

Like Maxwell Demon's silver disc into this world of ours
Love can come into our lives in unexpected ways, like the arrival of a cosmic being's disc.

Funny how we keep on loving true love power
It's peculiar how we keep seeking love, the most powerful force in the world.

Kick up your heels and paint your face wave goodbye to yesteryear
Celebrate and embrace the new beginnings, let go of the past that is holding you back.

We could sway in outer space from the chandelier
We can dance and celebrate so passionately that we might as well be in space, swinging from a chandelier.

Woe sometimes it breaks my heart I hide my tears
Sometimes, it hurts me to see how people restrain themselves and keep their emotions locked away.

Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Grant Phillips

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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