Phair's 1993 debut studio album, Exile in Guyville, was released to acclaim; it has been ranked by Rolling Stone as one of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time. Phair followed this with her second album, Whip-Smart (1994), which earned her a Grammy Award nomination for Best Female Rock Vocal Performance, and Whitechocolatespaceegg (1998). Ten years after the release of her debut, Phair's fourth album, Liz Phair (2003), released on Capitol Records, moved towards pop rock, earning her a mainstream audience but alienating critics.
After the release of her fifth album, Somebody's Miracle (2005), Phair left Capitol and released her sixth album Funstyle independently in 2010. In 2018, it was announced that Matador Records would be releasing a retrospective set for Phair's debut album Exile in Guyville which includes remastered recordings from her original Girly-Sound demo tapes. Phair released her seventh studio album, Soberish, in 2021.
Shatter
Liz Phair Lyrics
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How sleazy it is
Messing with these guys
But something about
Just being with you slapped me right in the face
Nearly broke me in two
It's a mark
I've taken to heart
I don't know if I could drive a car
Fast enough to get to where you are
Or wild enough not to miss the boat completely
Honey, I'm thinking maybe
You know, just maybe
I don't know if I could fly a plane
Well enough to tail spin out your name
Or high enough to lose control completely
Honey, I'm thinking maybe
You know, just maybe
Maybe
The opening lines of Liz Phair's "Shatter" express her inner turmoil about being with men and the self-realization of how sleazy it is. Liz confronts her past behavior and admits to herself that she hasn't always been responsible and ethical in her relationships with men. However, when she falls for a particular man, it's different. Being with him makes her feel like she's been hit hard, and nearly broken in two. This guy has shown her that real connections aren't just about physical attraction and pleasure but require a deeper emotional bond.
The next few lines talk about how she's willing to go to any extent to be with him. Liz doubts if she could drive a car or fly a plane fast enough to see him, indicating the intensity of her desire. The question of whether Liz is speaking metaphorically, using the modes of transportation to express her intensity of desire, or whether she’s seriously contemplating such actions remains unanswered. The chorus, "Honey, I'm thinking maybe, you know just maybe" implies her overwhelming fear of losing this person.
The lyrics of "Shatter" is a reflection of Liz's identity crisis and her contradictory feelings: one moment she's self-assured and confident, and the next she's unsure and vulnerable. The song also speaks of her desire for a relationship based on genuine love and intimacy rather than the physical gratification she may have sought in her past. Overall, "Shatter" is a song about self-realization, growth, and discovering true love.
Line by Line Meaning
I know that I don't always realize
I acknowledge that sometimes, I lack the awareness to understand
How sleazy it is
How immoral or unethical things can be, knowingly or unknowingly
Messing with these guys
Involved with or complicating things with various men
But something about
Despite that, there is some attraction to the person she's singing to
Just being with you slapped me right in the face
Being around you felt like a reality check, and made her acknowledge her feelings
Nearly broke me in two
It was emotionally overwhelming
It's a mark
A lasting impact has been made
I've taken to heart
She's internalized the experience
And I know I will carry it with me for a long, long time
She thinks it'll stay with her for a while
I don't know if I could drive a car
If she could speed towards him, or: do the thing that'd get her closer to him
Fast enough to get to where you are
Quickly make herself apparent to him
Or wild enough not to miss the boat completely
Be adventurous enough not to play it too safe and miss her chance entirely
Honey, I'm thinking maybe
Suggesting an idea or proposal for the situation
You know, just maybe
Adding an air of uncertainty, as if seeking input
I don't know if I could fly a plane
Continuing with the extended metaphor
Well enough to tail spin out your name
Expertly navigate the situation or person, or spin out of control
Or high enough to lose control completely
Metaphorically, get carried away or lose sight of what's important in pursuit of that thing or person
Honey, I'm thinking maybe
Repeating the proposal or idea presented earlier
You know, just maybe
Reiterating the uncertainty of the proposal, asking for input or agreement
Maybe
Leaves it open-ended as a possibility or option
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: LIZ PHAIR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind