Shame
Kevin McKinney Lyrics
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Such a shame
That you can't take a train
When you're falling off the wagon
rusty dusty
Feeling all the pain
Left in a pile
Again
and I don't want to play another good time song
Sitting there playing it all along
And I can't get nothing done
I can't do it
I can't get it done
I can't get nothing done
I can't do it
such a shame
Such a shame
Feeling like a tire
Left flat and unexpired
Heavy shaken
Taken all the way
Feeling like the first day
Said you want to burst here Sunday
and I don't want to play another good time song
Sitting there playing it all day long
And I can't get nothing done
I can't do it
such a shame
Such a shame
Can't take a train
Cause you're falling off the wagon
Heavy shaken
Tried to gain control
Sometimes the tickets
Don't make it to the small hole
and I don't want to play another good time song
Sitting there playing it all day long
And I can't get nothing done
I can't do it
The lyrics of "Shame" by Kevin McKinney is a commentary on the pain and struggle of addiction. It talks about how the singer wants to get back on track, to stop feeling heavy, and to get things done. The repeated line "such a shame" expresses the disappointment the character feels about their inability to control their addiction. The lyric "can't take a train when you're falling off the wagon" is a metaphor for not being able to find an alternative way out of the addiction. The character is stuck in a cycle of pain, where they feel like a "tire left flat and unexpired."
The line "And I don't want to play another good time song" indicates how the singer has been using music, possibly playing upbeat music or party songs, to hide or distract themselves from their struggles. But now they are tired of playing that role, and they just want to focus on healing and getting better. The line "Sometimes the tickets don't make it to the small hole" suggests that the singer has tried to find ways to change their life, but their attempts have not been successful. Overall, the song is about the struggle for control in the face of addiction and the desire for healing.
Line by Line Meaning
It's such a shame
Expressing disappointment or despair over something lost or negative.
Such a shame
Repeating the disappointment or despair felt regarding something negative.
That you can't take a train
It's unfortunate that a train can't be taken as a means of transportation.
When you're falling off the wagon
When someone is struggling with addiction and trying to quit, it's difficult to travel by train.
Rusty dusty
Used to describe feeling rusty and outdated.
Feeling all the pain
Experiencing intense emotional or physical pain.
Left in a pile
Feeling discarded and discarded, like trash.
On the side of the road
Feeling abandoned and stranded, left to deal with problems alone.
Again
Expressing that this isn't the first time experiencing these feelings.
And I don't want to play another good time song
Tired of playing happy, uplifting songs when feeling down and hopeless.
Sitting there playing it all along
Continuing to play songs that don't match the emotional state, feeling trapped or stuck.
And I can't get nothing done
Feeling unmotivated and unable to accomplish tasks.
I can't do it
Feeling helpless and incapable of making progress.
Such a shame
Reiterating the feeling of disappointment or despair.
Feeling like a tire
Feeling worn out and used up, like a tire that has gone flat.
Left flat and unexpired
Feeling drained of energy and potential, unable to recharge and restart.
Heavy shaken
Feeling emotionally overwhelmed and physically drained.
Taken all the way
Feeling consumed completely by difficult emotions or situations.
Feeling like the first day
Feeling as if the problem just started, not like progress was made.
Said you want to burst here Sunday
An unclear line, potentially referring to the desire to overcome the problem by a particular day or time.
Can't take a train
Reiterating the sadness that a train can't be used to escape the problem.
Cause you're falling off the wagon
The reason for not being able to take the train is due to struggles with addiction and relapse.
Tried to gain control
Attempting to take control and overcome the problem.
Sometimes the tickets
The solution to the problem doesn't always present itself clearly or work as intended.
Don't make it to the small hole
Obstacles arise that prevent or make it difficult to reach the desired solution or outcome.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
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