Profile: Australian slide guitarist and producer.
Shake
J. Walker Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Had a life and now my eyes are glazed, 'cause they dug my grave
All I wanna do is shake my head
Shake my head, shake my head
But how am I gonna do that with a broken neck?
A broken neck, guess I ain't like them
(Guess I ain't like them)
I'm just a dead girl, don't live in your world
I just roll my eyes back every time I hear that
Ooh-ooh-ooh, here we go again
Ooh-ooh-ooh, I'm 'bout to lose a friend
I'm just a dead girl, ain't even mad though
I just roll my eyes back every time I hear that
Ooh-ooh-ooh, I'm just a dead girl
Ooh-ooh-ooh, d-d-dead girl
Drag my feet like a zombie now, do I freak you out?
Come at me, you don't hear no sound when you're six-feet down, down, down
All I wanna do is shake my head
Shake my head, shake my head
But how am I gonna do that with a broken neck?
A broken neck, guess I ain't like them
Guess I ain't like them
I'm just a dead girl, don't live in your world
I just roll my eyes back every time I hear that
Ooh-ooh-ooh, here we go again
Ooh-ooh-ooh, I'm 'bout to lose a friend
I'm just a dead girl, ain't even mad though
I just roll my eyes back every time I hear that
Ooh-ooh-ooh, I'm just a dead girl
Ooh-ooh-ooh, d-d-dead girl
Funny you like me now
Wasn't I just the dead girl?
No, we ain't hanging out
Nah-uh, nah-uh, nah-uh
Funny you like me now
Wasn't I just the dead girl?
No, we ain't hanging out
Nah-uh, nah-uh, nah-uh
I'm just a dead girl, don't live in your world
I just roll my eyes back every time I hear that
Ooh-ooh-ooh, here we go again
Ooh-ooh-ooh, I'm about to lose a friend
I'm just a dead girl, ain't even mad though
I just roll my eyes back every time I hear that
Ooh-ooh-ooh, I'm just a dead girl
Ooh-ooh-ooh, d-d-dead girl
All I wanna do is shake my head (Dead girl)
Shake my head (Dead girl), shake my head (Dead girl)
But how am I gonna do that with a broken neck? (Dead girl)
A broken neck (Dead girl), guess I ain't like them
The lyrics of J. Walker's song "Shake" depict a sense of alienation and feeling misunderstood. The first verse introduces the singer as a friendless individual who carries emotional baggage (represented by the black suitcase) and a sad expression on their face. They feel as though their spirit has been extinguished, leaving them feeling lifeless and detached. The line "they dug my grave" suggests that the person feels metaphorically buried or overshadowed by the circumstances surrounding them.
In the chorus, the singer expresses their desire to shake their head, which can be interpreted as a way to reset their mindset or release their frustrations. However, the broken neck signifies their inability to make a change or break free from their current situation. It highlights their perceived difference from others, possibly implying that they feel they don't fit in or belong.
The second verse continues the theme of feeling detached from the world, using the metaphor of a zombie to depict their state of mind. Despite their eerie presence and potential to unsettle others, the person feels unnoticed and unheard. The repetition of "six-feet down" emphasizes their metaphorical descent into isolation and insignificance.
The chorus is repeated, emphasizing the singer's identity as a "dead girl." This can be interpreted as feeling emotionally dead or detached from others. They express a lack of concern or anger towards their situation, choosing to roll their eyes back and detach from the negative comments or judgments they face. The repetition of "here we go again" indicates a repetitive cycle of feeling misunderstood and facing criticism.
The bridge introduces a sense of irony as the singer observes that the same people who once disliked or ignored them now seem interested in their presence. However, the singer recognizes this change as ironic and questions the authenticity of these newfound feelings. The repetition of "nah-uh" reinforces their refusal to engage with those who previously disregarded them.
The song concludes with a repetition of the chorus, reinforcing the singer's sense of frustration and their desire to shake their head and break free from their imposed limitations. The repeated phrase "guess I ain't like them" further emphasizes their perceived difference and their journey towards self-acceptance.
Overall, "Shake" explores themes of alienation, isolation, and the longing for acceptance. It highlights the emotional journey of a protagonist who feels detached and misunderstood, yet yearns to find their place in the world.
Line by Line Meaning
Friend of mine is a black suitcase and a frowny face
I feel like an burden and a source of sadness to someone close to me
Had a life and now my eyes are glazed, 'cause they dug my grave
I feel lifeless and defeated, as if someone has taken away all my hopes and dreams
All I wanna do is shake my head
All I want to do is express my disbelief and frustration
Shake my head, shake my head
Repeating the desire to express disbelief and frustration
But how am I gonna do that with a broken neck?
I feel unable to express myself freely due to my circumstances
A broken neck, guess I ain't like them
I feel different and unable to fit in with others
I'm just a dead girl, don't live in your world
I feel disconnected from the world and misunderstood
I just roll my eyes back every time I hear that
I respond with cynicism and dismissiveness whenever I encounter ignorance or judgment
Ooh-ooh-ooh, here we go again
Expressing frustration and resignation at facing the same challenges repeatedly
Ooh-ooh-ooh, I'm 'bout to lose a friend
I fear that my defensive attitude and pessimism may push away those close to me
I'm just a dead girl, ain't even mad though
Despite feeling disconnected and misunderstood, I don't harbor anger or resentment
Drag my feet like a zombie now, do I freak you out?
I move through life aimlessly and without purpose, but it may unsettle others
Come at me, you don't hear no sound when you're six-feet down, down, down
I feel unheard and invisible, as if my opinions and feelings don't matter
Funny you like me now
I find it ironic that others may suddenly show interest or approval towards me
Wasn't I just the dead girl?
I'm reminding others that they previously ignored or dismissed me
No, we ain't hanging out
I reject the idea of spending time with those who only show interest after disregarding me
I'm just a dead girl, don't live in your world
I feel like an outsider, unable to relate to the experiences and priorities of others
I'm about to lose a friend
I fear that my attitude and cynicism may strain the relationship with someone close to me
All I wanna do is shake my head
Reiterating the desire to express disbelief and frustration
Ooh-ooh-ooh, d-d-dead girl
Emphasizing the feeling of being emotionally and socially disconnected
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, COUNTRY CRUNCH MUSIC PUB, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., EARTH TO MAX, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Alan Walker, Andrew Frampton, Carl Hovind, Fredrik Borch Olsen, Gabriel Benjamin, Gunnar Greve, Jamie Aura Stenzel, Marcus Arnbekk, Max Farrar, Oyvind Sauvik
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind