Shadow On The Wall
Mike Oldfield Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Shadow on the wall!
Shadow on the wall!
Shadow on the wall!
Shadow on the wall!
Like a shadow on the wall!
Treat me like a prisoner,
Treat me like a fool.
Treat me like a loser,
Use me as a tool.
Face me 'til I'm hungry,
Push me in the cold.
Treat me like a criminal,
Just a shadow on the wall!
Shadow on the wall!
Shadow on the wall!
Shadow on the wall!
Shadow on the wall!
Like a shadow on the wall!
Treat me like I'm evil,
Freeze me 'til I'm cold.
Beat me 'til I'm feeble,
Grab me 'til I'm old.
Fry me 'til I'm tired,
Push me 'til I fall.
Treat me like a criminal,
Just a shadow on the wall!
Shadow on the wall!
Shadow on the wall!
Shadow on the wall!
Shadow on the wall!
Like a shadow on the wall!
Shadow on the wall!
Shadow on the wall!
Like a shadow on the wall!
Shadow on the wall!
Shadow on the wall!
Like a shadow on the wall!
Shadow on the wall!
Shadow on the wall!
Like a shadow on the wall!




Shadow on the wall!
Shadow on the wall!

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Mike Oldfield's song "Shadow On The Wall" describe feelings of mistreatment, oppression, and being used by others. The repeated phrase "like a shadow on the wall" emphasizes the sense of feeling unseen and disregarded by others. The lyrics express a sense of being treated unfairly, like a prisoner or criminal, and being pushed to one's limits. It is a raw portrayal of someone who has been neglected and mistreated and is fighting against being seen as invisible.


The song may have been inspired by the societal and political issues during the 1980s, where there were often protests and demonstrations against oppression and inequality. It could also be interpreted as a reflection of the human condition, where people may feel unseen or used at times, and the need to fight against being trapped in that mentality.


Overall, "Shadow On The Wall" is a powerful and evocative song that speaks to the struggles of being mistreated and overlooked, while also inspiring the listener to stand up for themselves and fight against being a mere shadow on the wall.


Line by Line Meaning

Shadow on the wall!
Feeling unnoticed and powerless


Shadow on the wall!
Continued lack of recognition


Shadow on the wall!
Desperation for attention


Shadow on the wall!
Unseen and unheard


Like a shadow on the wall!
Invisible and ignored


Treat me like a prisoner,
Being confined without reason


Treat me like a fool.
Being treated as unintelligent or ignorant


Treat me like a loser,
Being made to feel unworthy and defeated


Use me as a tool.
Being exploited for someone else's benefit


Face me 'til I'm hungry,
Being confronted until basic needs can't be met


Push me in the cold.
Being subjected to discomfort and harsh conditions


Treat me like a criminal,
Being unjustly accused and punished


Just a shadow on the wall!
Feeling insignificant and powerless


Treat me like I'm evil,
Being demonized and blamed for wrongs I didn't commit


Freeze me 'til I'm cold.
Being subjected to harsh weather conditions without relief


Beat me 'til I'm feeble,
Being physically and emotionally worn down


Grab me 'til I'm old.
Being held back from growth and progress


Fry me 'til I'm tired,
Being overworked to exhaustion and burnout


Push me 'til I fall.
Being pushed beyond my limits and breaking point




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Michael Oldfield

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 comments from YouTube:

@zioslayerslayer1562

Shadow on the wall!
Shadow on the wall!
Shadow on the wall!
Shadow on the wall!
Like a shadow on the wall!
Treat me like a prisoner,
Treat me like a fool.
Treat me like a loser,
Use me as a tool.
Face me 'til I'm hungry,
Push me in the cold.
Treat me like a criminal,
Just a shadow on the wall!
Shadow on the wall!
Shadow on the wall!
Shadow on the wall!
Shadow on the wall!
Like a shadow on the wall!
Treat me like I'm evil,
Freeze me 'til I'm cold.
Beat me 'til I'm feeble,
Grab me 'til I'm old.
Fry me 'til I'm tired,
Push me 'til I fall.
Treat me like a criminal,
Just a shadow on the wall!
Shadow on the wall!
Shadow on the wall!
Shadow on the wall!
Shadow on the wall!
Like a shadow on the wall!
Shadow on the wall!
Shadow on the wall!
Like a shadow on the wall!
Shadow on the wall!
Shadow on the wall!
Like a shadow on the wall!
Shadow on the wall!
Shadow on the wall!
Like a shadow on the wall!
Shadow on the wall!
Shadow on the wall!



@thomfmify

Mike Oldfield - Shadow On The Wall

Shadow On The Wall
Shadow On The Wall
Shadow On The Wall
Shadow On The Wall
Like A Shadow On The Wall

Treat Me Like A Prisoner
Treat Me Like A Fool
Treat Me Like A Loser
Use Me As A Tool
Waste Me Till I'm Hungry
Lose Me In The Cold
Treat Me Like A Criminal
Just A Shadow On The Wall

Like A Shadow On The Wall
Treat Me Like I'm Evil
Freeze Me Till I'm Cold
Beat Me Till I'm Feeble
Grind Me Till I'm Old
Wire Me Till I'm Tired
Push Me Till I Fall
Treat Me Like A Criminal

Just A Shadow On The Wall
Black Shadow On The Wall
Shadow On The Wall
Shadow On The Wall
Black Shadow On The Wall


Songwriter: Michael Oldfield



All comments from YouTube:

@ignaciogarrido1837

The guitar's riff is simply awesome. I can't stop hear it

@darkhorse23xx

Love the clean tone also.

@enricorimbach5427

Handmade!

@androidmy68

Simple words, amazing voice and music, Mike Oldfield 100% entertainment on highest level

@joelnew-sf2lw

Live is't best song

@Sesamebee300

Roger Chapman's vocal on this track is unsurpassable. Brilliant.

@marcop.lavezzi5955

I totally agree. His voice couldn't fit in any better. Angry. Howling like a wolf.

@annakrasinska8126

@Marco P.Lavezzi iìiiiioìóóp,p0p00o09a00

@chiefwhitenoise5227

Thanks for writing his name I've been trying recall unsuccessfully 🙂

@hervemauri6457

Un peu la voix de Robert plante 👍👍👍👍

More Comments

More Versions