Having already served successful tours in the Northwest punk bands Thrillhammer, Hazel (two albums on Sub Pop records) and the rambunctious bluegrass band Golden Delicious, Pete Krebs has emerged as one of the most consistently engaging contemporary singer-songwriters. Much like his friend and collaborator Elliott Smith, Krebs uses his more rock-oriented roots to drive his intensely introspective songs. Both Krebs and Smith have passed through early periods of extremely stripped down solo recordings to tackling grander ambitions with more sonically dense collaborative works.
Debuting as a solo musician in 1995 on Cavity Search Records, Krebs' starkly acoustic Brigadier immediately established him as one of the more impressive voices in the crowded singer-songwriter idiom.
Shytown
Pete Krebs Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Faces
I hope we don't go too many
Places
Cause then before I go to sleep
I'll wonder exactly what she
Means when
When she says I am too shy
She always asks me are you
Having a good time
Come in here where the band is
Playing
Are you coming along or are
You staying
I'm fine-quit asking
It's the hardest thing to meet
Her friends
I always feel like I have to
Entertain them
All alone with the jokes I forget
I'm someone's boyfriends and a
TV set
I live in Shytown
The song "Shytown" by Pete Krebs seems to be about a person who is feeling insecure and struggling with social situations. The lyrics describe how the singer tries to mask their insecurities by crossing their eyes and making faces. They seem apprehensive about going many places, perhaps anticipating judgment or criticism. The singer also seems nervous about what others think of them, particularly the person they are interested in. The line "When she says I am too shy" suggests that they are trying to impress someone, but feel like they are falling short. The person is invited to join the band playing, but declines, indicating a desire to keep to themselves.
The second verse of the song expounds on the singer's social discomfort. They have a hard time meeting the love interest's friends, feeling the need to entertain them, even though they are just a boyfriend and a TV set. The line "I live in Shytown" seems to be a metaphor for the singer's internal state, as they feel stuck in a cycle of insecurity and anxiety. Overall, the song explores the complicated feelings of social anxiety and the desire to fit in and be accepted.
Line by Line Meaning
Crossing my eyes and making Faces
I am making silly faces in an attempt to hide my nervousness and anxiety.
I hope we don't go too many Places
I am afraid of new experiences and feel overwhelmed by unfamiliar surroundings.
Cause then before I go to sleep I'll wonder exactly what she Means when When she says I am too shy
I worry about how my shyness affects my relationship with her, and what she really means when she comments on my personality.
Finding a way to stay inside She always asks me are you Having a good time
I prefer staying inside to socializing, but she always asks me if I am enjoying myself.
Come in here where the band is Playing Are you coming along or are You staying I'm fine-quit asking
She asks me to join her where the music is playing, but I really just want to stay where I am. I assure her that I am fine and to stop asking.
It's the hardest thing to meet Her friends
Meeting her friends is intimidating and difficult for me.
I always feel like I have to Entertain them
I feel pressured to be entertaining and interesting when meeting her friends, which only adds to my anxiety.
All alone with the jokes I forget I'm someone's boyfriends and a TV set
I struggle to make conversation with her friends and feel like I am just a humorous accessory to her social life, rather than a meaningful partner to her.
I live in Shytown
I feel like my shyness defines me and holds me back, causing me to feel like I am trapped in a less-than-ideal situation.
Contributed by Alaina A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
EuphoniaPooch
I wish I knew more songs like this. Thoughtful lyrics, strange atmosphere, traditional but not. Some humor. Awesome guitar
Kraken
3 years late but this is really reminiscent of a lot of early neutral milk hotel demo songs.
Makenzie Darrow
just makes you want to write something nice. love these guys together. must have felt good to hear for them like it does for me
EuphoniaPooch
One of a kind vibe in this tune.
PixelVendors
amazing song!
Julien Skye
for this single, Pete Krebs sings lead vocals on this tune....on the flip-side Elliott Smith sings lead vocals on "No-Confidence Man"
Jibbles
Finally found the song hard because I didnt remember the name or the lyrics lol thank you
SC Smith
Agreed-- what's important is the music. I guess I just don't like when fans say stuff like that. To me, it's akin to saying "Yoko Ono ruined the Beatles and turned John against Paul"...but that's a different conversation, and it's your channel so I respect your wishes
Thomas Dap
Shytown stand up
smiles wrapped in gauze
and none of these facts "ruin" or even affect the music in any way. they are 3 of my favorite artists too. it is just deductive reasoning, and the common sense conclusions from it. / it is just interesting. / it is an important speculation of the human condition.