The original band consisted of Jill Cunniff (vocals, bass), Gabby Glaser (vocals, guitar), Kate Schellenbach (drums) and Vivian Trimble (keyboards, vocals). Schellenbach was a founding member of the Beastie Boys and left shortly after the Beasties switched from being a hardcore punk band into being a hip-hop group
Between 1993 and 2000 they released one EP, three full length LPs and ten singles on the Beastie Boys' Grand Royal label. Their biggest hit —and only Billboard Top 40 entry— is "Naked Eye" (#36, March 22, 1997). Other notable singles include "Here", "CitySong (NY State Of The World)", "Under Your Skin" and "Ladyfingers".
Vivian Trimble left the group in 1998, and in 2000 (after releasing one album as a trio) the group officially announced the break up of Luscious Jackson.
February 2007 saw the release of Luscious Jackson's "greatest hits" compilation, and in the fall of 2006 the band announced that they had reunited and were to release a new children's album, a plan which never came to fruition and the band ceased activity in 2007.
In the January 2012 issue of "Rolling Stone" magazine, the band announced that they had reunited in late 2011. Subsequently, the band has released Magic Hour (2013) and Baby DJ (2013).
Deep Shag
Luscious Jackson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
next to you
i feel big when i
forget you
i feel small when i am
next to you
i feel big when i
forget you
why do you make me feel so
why do you make me feel so
why do you make me
feel so small
i'm draggin in your deep shag
what i become, what i become
i'm in your deep shag
stuck in rags
what i become, what i become
believe me i am teething
when my eyes are full
of feeling
i forget my personality
my hell raising days
they seem so sweet
and i'm always telling you
lies to hide the truth inside
the fetus i become
the minute i succumb
to your embrace
i'm draggin in your deep shag
what i become, what i become
i'm in your deep shag
stuck in rags
what i become, what i become
what i become, what i become
what i become, what i become
believe me i am teething
when my eyes are full
of feeling
i forget my personality
my hell raising days
they seem so sweet
and i'm always telling you
lies to hid the truth inside
the fetus i become
the minute i succumb
to your embrace
i succumb to your embrace
i succumb to your embrace
i succumb to your embrace
i succumb to your embrace
draggin in your deep shag
what i become, what i become
i'm in your deep shag
stuck in rags
what i become, what i become
believe me i am teething
(what i become)
when my eyes are full
(what i)
of feeling
(become)
i forget my personality
(what i become)
my hell raising days
(what)
they seem so sweet
(i become)
and i'm always telling you
lies to hide the truth inside
the foetus i become
the minute i succumb
to your embrace
i succumb to your embrace
i succumb to your embrace
i succumb to your embrace
i succumb to your embrace
The lyrics to Luscious Jackson's song "Deep Shag" describe the conflicting emotions of being in a relationship that is both thrilling and suffocating. The singer feels small when they are next to their partner and big when they forget about them, suggesting that the relationship is both intimidating and empowering. The repeated question "why do you make me feel so small" suggests that the singer is struggling to maintain a sense of their own identity in the relationship.
The chorus ("draggin in your deep shag / what I become, what I become / I'm in your deep shag / stuck in rags / what I become, what I become") continues this theme of being trapped and suffocated by the relationship. The "deep shag" could refer to the physical space where the relationship takes place (i.e. a bedroom) or to a metaphorical state of being stuck in the relationship. The repetition of "what I become" emphasizes the theme of feeling like the relationship is changing who the singer is.
The final stanza ("believe me I am teething...to your embrace") reinforces the theme of the relationship being both appealing and damaging. The singer is "teething," suggesting a sense of discomfort and unease, but they also "succumb to [their partner's] embrace," suggesting a sense of comfort and pleasure.
Line by Line Meaning
i feel small when i am
next to you
When I am near you, I feel insignificant and unimportant
i feel big when i
forget you
When I am away from you, I feel powerful and confident
why do you make me feel so
why do you make me feel so
why do you make me feel so
why do you make me
feel so small
I am questioning why you have such a strong influence on my emotions, and why you make me feel small and insignificant
i'm draggin in your deep shag
what i become, what i become
i'm in your deep shag
stuck in rags
what i become, what i become
I am trapped in your grasp, and it is changing me into something I don't recognize. I am stuck in a lowly state, and I can't escape
believe me i am teething
when my eyes are full
of feeling
i forget my personality
my hell raising days
they seem so sweet
and i'm always telling you
lies to hide the truth inside
the fetus i become
the minute i succumb
to your embrace
My emotions are overwhelming and sometimes painful. I lose sight of who I am and become someone I don't recognize. My past feels enticingly distant and I feel compelled to lie to hide the truth of how you make me feel. I become small and helpless when I give in to your touch
i succumb to your embrace
i succumb to your embrace
i succumb to your embrace
i succumb to your embrace
I am powerless against your hold on me. I surrender to your embrace time and time again
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: GABRIELLE GLASER, JILL CUNNIFF
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
DarrenBonJovi
haven't heard this great little ethereal tune in years. It was quite unlike a lot of other stuff out at the time.
heedihoo
All their albums are timeless...
Shaun Michael Chase
This is a great group. Wish they still were on the "scene".
LEVLHED
I still love this song. And this band.
Adam Turner
Really cool and DIFFERENT sounding. Come back 90s
Maximus2318
My favorite time period for music, I can get lost for hours.
JACMILA
ADORO!!! COOOOL!!!
twin angel
Man this brings me back! LOVE THIS SONG!!
Alan Race
These girls were real girl power! Love em!
E.W. "SquErl" Tiffin
Such a great album!!!!