Shiver
Maroon 5 / Maroon 5 Lyrics


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You build me up
You knock me down
Provoke a smile
And make me frown
You are the queen of runaround
You know it's true

You chew me up
And spit me out
Enjoy the taste
I leave in your mouth
You look at me
I look at you
Neither of us know what to do

There may not
Be another way to your heart
So I guess I'd better find a new way in
I shiver when i hear your name
Think about you but it's not the same
I won't be satisfied 'til I'm under your skin

Immobilized by the thought of you
Paralyzed by the sight of you
Hypnotized by the words you say
Not true but I believe 'em anyway

So come to bed it's getting late
There's no more time for us to waste




Remember how my body tastes
You feel you heart being to race

Overall Meaning

The song “Shiver” by Maroon 5 is a reflection on the emotional roller coaster that is love. The lyrics describe a tumultuous relationship where the subject is constantly built up and knocked back down again. The person they are singing to is described as the “queen of runaround” and they are unable to resist her despite the pain she causes. The singer is immobilized by the thought of her and is hypnotized by her words, even if they are not true. The chorus repeats the idea that there may not be another way to her heart, but the singer is determined to find a new way in.


The lyrics suggest that the relationship is not healthy, and that the singer is aware of this. There is a sense of desperation and addiction, as they think about the person constantly even though it is “not the same”. The singer shivers when they hear the person’s name but is not satisfied until they are “under your skin”. The chorus is a combination of yearning and determination, suggesting that the singer knows they shouldn’t pursue this person but is unable to resist.


Overall, the lyrics of “Shiver” paint a vivid and complex picture of a romantic relationship that is both thrilling and destructive.


Line by Line Meaning

You build me up
You uplift me and make me feel good about myself


You knock me down
You bring me down and make me feel bad about myself


Provoke a smile
You make me smile and laugh


And make me frown
You also make me upset and sad


You are the queen of runaround
You are known for being evasive and avoiding commitment


You know it's true
You are aware of your behavior and tendencies


You chew me up
You consume me and take up much of my time and energy


And spit me out
You discard me when you're done with me


Enjoy the taste
You relish in the experience of using me


I leave in your mouth
You have a lasting impression of me


You look at me
You gaze upon me


I look at you
I reciprocate the gaze


Neither of us know what to do
We are both uncertain and confused about our feelings


There may not
It's possible that there isn't


Be another way to your heart
No other approach may work to gain your affection


So I guess I'd better find a new way in
I need to come up with a different plan to win you over


I shiver when I hear your name
The thought of you makes me tremble


Think about you but it's not the same
My thoughts of you don't have the desired effect


I won't be satisfied 'til I'm under your skin
I won't be content until I've fully won your heart and mind


Immobilized by the thought of you
I am paralyzed by the idea of you


Paralyzed by the sight of you
I am unable to move or speak when I see you


Hypnotized by the words you say
Your words have a powerful effect on me


Not true but I believe 'em anyway
I know that your words may not be accurate, but I choose to believe them


So come to bed it's getting late
It's late and we should go to sleep


There's no more time for us to waste
We need to make the most of the time we have


Remember how my body tastes
Recall the exciting physical experiences we've shared


You feel your heart begin to race
You become excited and energized




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ADAM LEVINE, JAMES VALENTINE, JESSE ROYAL CARMICHAEL, MICKEY MADDEN, RYAN MICHAEL DUSICK

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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