Shivers
HaMechashefot Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But it really doesn't suit my style.
So I think I'll just act bored instead,
And contain the blood I would've shed.
She makes me feel so ill at ease,
My heart is really on its knees.
But I keep a poker face so well,
But my baby's so vain,
She is almost a mirror.
And the sound of her name,
Sends a nervous shiver down my spine,
Down my spine.
I keep her photograph against my heart,
For in my life she plays the starring part.
Our love could hold off cigarettes,
There's no room for cheap regrets.
She makes me feel so ill at ease,
My heart is really on its knees.
But I keep a poker face so well,
That even mother couldn't tell.
But my baby's so vain,
She is almost a mirror.
And the sound of her name,
Sends a nervous shiver down my spine,
Down my spine.
Down my spine,
Down my spine,
Down my spine.
The lyrics of HaMechashefot's song Shivers are dark and potentially unsettling, touching on themes of suicide, discontentment, and a toxic relationship. The opening lines describe the singer's contemplation of suicide as a result of their dissatisfaction with life, but they ultimately decide against it because it doesn't fit their personality or style. Instead, they choose to "act bored" and suppress the urge to harm themselves. This reveals a sense of resignation and apathy that runs throughout the song, suggesting a fatalistic perspective on life.
The second half of the song focuses on the singer's relationship with a woman who makes them feel uneasy and vulnerable. The singer maintains a "poker face" to hide their true emotions, but it's clear that this woman has a powerful hold over them. They describe her as vain, almost like a mirror, and the sound of her name sends shivers down their spine. This suggests a theme of emotional manipulation and power dynamics within the relationship. Despite these negative elements, the singer still cherishes a photograph of the woman and believes their love is strong enough to "hold off cigarettes" and avoid regrets.
Overall, the lyrics of Shivers paint a picture of a troubled, conflicting inner world that's both fascinated and repelled by the outside world. The singer struggles with feelings of despair and hopelessness, but is still somehow drawn to the woman who makes them feel both elated and anxious.
Line by Line Meaning
I've been contemplating suicide,
I have been considering ending my life
But it really doesn't suit my style.
However, it doesn't fit my personality
So I think I'll just act bored instead,
Therefore, I'll pretend to be uninterested instead
And contain the blood I would've shed.
And keep from causing myself harm
She makes me feel so ill at ease,
Being around her makes me very uncomfortable
My heart is really on its knees.
My emotions are deeply affected by her presence
But I keep a poker face so well,
Despite this, I am able to hide my true feelings
That even mother couldn't tell.
I am so good at hiding my emotions that not even my own mother would know
But my baby's so vain,
However, my love interest is extremely narcissistic
She is almost a mirror.
She is so self-obsessed that she reflects her own image
And the sound of her name,
Even the mere mention of her name
Sends a nervous shiver down my spine,
Causes me to feel a uneasy sensation that runs down my back
Down my spine.
I keep her photograph against my heart,
I keep a picture of her close to my heart
For in my life she plays the starring part.
Because she is the main focus of my life
Our love could hold off cigarettes,
Our love is so strong that it could be a substitute for smoking
There's no room for cheap regrets.
I have no space for trivial, unnecessary remorse
Down my spine,
Down my spine,
Down my spine.
Contributed by Lily R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@yoshko84
I've been contemplating suicide,
But it really doesn't suit my style.
So I think I'll just act bored instead,
And contain the blood I would've shed.
She makes me feel so ill at ease,
My heart is really on its knees.
But I keep a poker face so well,
That even mother couldn't tell.
But my baby's so vain,
She is almost a mirror.
And the sound of her name,
Sends a nervous shiver down my spine,
Down my spine.
I keep her photograph against my heart,
For in my life she plays the starring part.
Our love could hold off cigarettes,
There's no room for cheap regrets.
She makes me feel so ill at ease,
My heart is really on its knees.
But I keep a poker face so well,
That even mother couldn't tell.
But my baby's so vain,
She is almost a mirror.
And the sound of her name,
Sends a nervous shiver down my spine,
Down my spine.
Down my spine,
Down my spine,
Down my spine.
@fractiousperson303
RIP Inbal and Rowland. Your memories are a very tangible blessing. This version is beautiful, a masterpiece.
@JuanDeSoCal
The Witches ... wow. I've never heard of this band. Awesome cover of this song. I love the sonics and the singing. Very very cool!
@user-yg2rl5ty2t
listen to the other songs, they are great!
@caitlynmartin9214
For those who don't know, the lead singer and guitarist in the video is Inbal Perlmuter. She was killed in a car accident on October 1, 1997 at the age of 26. The band is better known by their Hebrew name, HaMechashefot. Inbal Perlmuter sounds better in Hebrew but if you can get past the accent she was a very talented singer.
Yes, this is real. Nick Cave recorded it with the band in 1995 and it appears on The Witches' third album "The Witches Cover Up". It's also on "The Best of The Witches".
@user-bs8ve3pu6s
not exactly a car accident,
she was full of drugs
@roni1983
This version gives me the shivers. Beautiful
@alcosmic
I think this is my favorite version of this song
@dollysynpop
I can honestly say there are no bad covers of this song, RIP Rowland S. Howard.
@Indie_or_die
+michael sheets Courtney Barnett did the worst ever though
@shaGteM
+François Salvador screaming jets perhaps. but courtney barnett's is pretty shit too