Shine
Jason Mraz Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Once upon a time there was a meeting of minds
The sun and the moon made a deal with the sky
One would take the morning and the other the night
Together they would blanket the world with light
But the moon had a shadow, he felt like a liar
The sun was the only one who carried the fire
The sun saw this, she kept on glowing
Bound to the moon, never saying, "you owe me"

She said I'll shine on you (shine on you)
I will shine on you (shine on you)
I will shine on you (shine on you)
I will shine on you

I keep a lamp over you, glowing in my heart
To keep from tripping over troublesome thoughts in the dark
We ain't that different, we huddle underneath the same stars
I see who you really are
You're every creature, every man, every woman and child
You're the closest thing I'll ever get to knowing God
Like the sun to the moon, I'll send my love and light
A love like ours, it'll fill the whole sky

I will shine on you (shine on you)
I will shine on you (shine on you)
I will shine on you (shine on you)
I will shine on you
I will shine on you (shine on you)
I will shine on you (shine on you)
I will shine on you (shine on you)
I will shine, shine, shine on you

Think of the people that you love the most
Send them your light and hold them close
Say I will shine on you, I will shine on you
No matter the distance, the space, or the time
Love travels in the speed of light
I will shine on you, I will shine on you
I will shine on you, I will shine on you

And if we forget we are the chosen ones
Turn your eyes to the attention of the morning sun
Wherever you go, however you move
The light is gonna shine directly to you
Let it shine on you (shine on you)
Let it shine on you (shine on you)
Let it shine on you (shine on you)
Yes I'm gonna shine on you
I will shine on you (shine on you)
I will shine on you (shine on you)
I will shine on you (shine on you)
I will shine, shine, shine on you

(I'm gonna let it shine)
(I'm gonna let it shine)
(I'm gonna let it shine)
(I'm gonna let it shine)
(I'm gonna let it shine)
(I'm gonna let it shine)




(I'm gonna let it shine)
(I'm gonna let it shine)

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Jason Mraz's song "Shine" describe a meeting of minds between the sun and the moon, who made a deal with the sky to jointly blanket the world with light. However, the moon feels like a liar due to its shadow, and only the sun carries the fire. Despite this, the sun is committed to shining on the moon and sending its love and light, never asking for anything in return. The chorus highlights this commitment as the sun repeats, "I will shine on you."


Throughout the song, Mraz also emphasizes the power of love and the interconnectedness of all things. He keeps a lamp over himself to avoid tripping over troublesome thoughts in the dark, and sees that all people and creatures are huddled under the same stars. In this way, he feels close to God and sends his love and light to those he loves most, regardless of distance or time.


Overall, "Shine" is a song about the power of commitment, love, and interconnectedness. Whether it be between the sun and the moon or between people, Mraz suggests that love is a force that can overcome shadows and illuminate even the darkest corners of the world.


Line by Line Meaning

Once upon a time there was a meeting of minds
The sun and the moon made an agreement to shine alternatively in the sky


The sun and the moon made a deal with the sky
The sky agreed to let the sun and moon shine alternatively in the sky


One would take the morning and the other the night
The sun would shine during the day while the moon would shine at night


Together they would blanket the world with light
Their alternating shine would cover the world with light


But the moon had a shadow, he felt like a liar
The moon felt like a liar because he couldn't shine without the sun's light


The sun was the only one who carried the fire
The sun was the only one with the ability to shine and create light


The sun saw this, she kept on glowing
The sun noticed the moon's struggle but continued to shine regardless


Bound to the moon, never saying, 'you owe me'
The sun continued to shine on the moon without expecting anything in return


She said I'll shine on you (shine on you)
The sun promises to continue shining on the moon


I keep a lamp over you, glowing in my heart
The artist has a love for someone else that they hold dear to their heart


To keep from tripping over troublesome thoughts in the dark
To protect themselves from negative thoughts in difficult times


We ain't that different, we huddle underneath the same stars
We are all similar and live under the same sky


You're every creature, every man, every woman and child
Everyone and everything is part of the same universe


You're the closest thing I'll ever get to knowing God
The singer sees the subject as a representation of a higher power


Like the sun to the moon, I'll send my love and light
The singer will send love and light to the subject, like the sun does to the moon


A love like ours, it'll fill the whole sky
The love between the artist and the subject will be all-encompassing


Think of the people that you love the most
Remember the people who matter most


Send them your light and hold them close
Give love and support to the people you care about


No matter the distance, the space, or the time
Love transcends physical barriers


Love travels in the speed of light
Love is fast and powerful


And if we forget we are the chosen ones
If we forget our own worth and importance


Turn your eyes to the attention of the morning sun
Look to the sun to remember our value


Wherever you go, however you move
No matter where life takes you


The light is gonna shine directly to you
There is always love and light available, no matter what


Yes I'm gonna shine on you
The sun (or the singer) promises to shine on the subject


(I'm gonna let it shine)
A repeated promise to let the light shine




Lyrics © Word Collections Publishing, Goo-Eyed Music
Written by: Chaska Lela Potter, Jason Mraz, Mai Sunshine Bloomfield, Mona Tavakoli, Rebecca Gebhardt

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found
Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@kennethpeterlampitoc4303

Once upon a time there was a meeting of minds
The sun and the moon made a deal with the sky
One would take the morning and the other the night
Together they would blanket the world with light
But the moon had a shadow, he felt like a liar
The sun was the only one who carried the fire
The sun saw this, she kept on glowing
Bound to the moon, never saying, "you owe me"
She said I'll shine on you (shine on you)
I will shine on you (shine on you)
I will shine on you (shine on you)
I will shine on you
I keep a lamp over you, glowing in my heart
To keep from tripping over troublesome thoughts in the dark
We ain't that different, we huddle underneath the same stars
I see who you really are
You're every creature, every man, every woman and child
You're the closest thing I'll ever get to knowing God
Like the sun to the moon, I'll send my love and light
A love like ours, it'll fill the whole sky
I will shine on you (shine on you)
I will shine on you (shine on you)
I will shine on you (shine on you)
I will shine on you
I will shine on you (shine on you)
I will shine on you (shine on you)
I will shine on you (shine on you)
I will shine, shine, shine on you
Think of the people that you love the most
Send them your light and hold them close
Say I will shine on you, I will shine on you
No matter the distance, the space, or the time
Love travels in the speed of light
I will shine on you, I will shine on you
I will shine on you, I will shine on you
And if we forget we are the chosen ones
Turn your eyes to the attention of the morning sun
Wherever you go, however you move
The light is gonna shine directly to you
Let it shine on you (shine on you)
Let it shine on you (shine on you)
Let it shine on you (shine on you)
Yes I'm gonna shine on you
I will shine on you (shine on you)
I will shine on you (shine on you)
I will shine on you (shine on you)
I will shine, shine, shine on you



All comments from YouTube:

@JrTtime

I was pretty sure before, but now I'm positive. Jason Mraz is totally one of the very most talented composers of our time. He is a lyrical genius.

@jerseysama

yep. second that. seen him twice and the second time @ Santa Barbara was spectacular. to me it was a spiritual experience.

@VC-xj1fs

@Jersey Sayaovang I've seen him 5 times now, and he never has a bad show.

@johnmillsaps7708

He is a really good composer and he works well with others. This was co-written with Becky Gebhardt, Chaska Potter, Mai Bloomfield and Moni Tavakoli, aka, Raining Jane. The five of them have created amazing music together and his performances are just so wonderful.

@georgefordham417

He is great

@runervous621

This entire album is so completely fantastic.

@Stringman1950

Years later, still love this song.

@MeganJade_

I absolutely love Jason Mraz; but people judge me for listening to him they say "It's old people music" When it really isn't i'm 14 and love it...Such an inspiration. <3 <3 <3  

@deathyagami8680

Music is Timeless ^^ keep listening

@elizamaeacode2742

You have a class of a taste. Jason Mraz, Raining Jane, and Molly Miller are some of the most talented musicians and performers I have ever listened and watched. Cheers!

More Comments

More Versions