Peter Godwin (vocals) seemingly appeared out of nowhere when he released th… Read Full Bio ↴Peter Godwin (vocals) seemingly appeared out of nowhere when he released the single "Images of Heaven" in 1982. However, by that time he had already been recording music for more than half a decade. He began as a member of a group called Metro, who recorded its self-titled debut in 1976. Metro briefly changed their name to Public Zone and released a single with the Police's Stewart Copeland on drums. (Copeland was asked to become a permanent member of the band, but he decided to remain with the Police.)

After Metro recorded New Love in 1979 and Future Imperfect a year later, they broke up. Godwin went solo, releasing the LP Images of Heaven in 1982. The synth pop title track became a cult favorite on new wave radio stations, and a provocative version of its video received controversy because it presented naked women in crucifix poses. David Bowie covered Metro's "Criminal World" on his Let's Dance album in 1983, renewing interest in Godwin's old group. But 1983's Correspondence would be the last time fans would hear from Godwin until 1998's Images of Heaven: The Best of Peter Godwin, a retrospective of his career that featured three new songs. During his absence Godwin wrote for other musicians and even acted in films.

Window Shopping
Peter Godwin Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

you say you love me - don't mean that much to me
you say you love me - don't mean that much to me
you say you love me - don't mean that much to me
the love you give me - is there for everybody

I can't believe a word that means so much to me
can mean as little as a bedtime fantasy
or an obsession of a cool society

fanning a fire that you can feel but never see
boys go window shopping - drinking lust away
looking for religions - tumbling in the hay
overwired and overtired - bought and sold and used
every adolescent dream is finally abused

you say you love me - don't mean that much to me
you say you love me - don't mean that much to me
you say you love me - don't mean that much to me
the love you give me - is there for everybody

it's not a case of acts of hate or cruelty
or impositions that we feel bad morally
it's just a bitter taste that we share mutually
making insatiable the love that sets you free
girls go window shopping - kissing love away
living for tomorrow - weeping for today
overwired and overtired - bought and sold and used
every adolescent dream is finally abused

you say you love me - don't mean that much to me
you say you love me - don't mean that much to me
you say you love me - don't mean that much to me
the love you give me - is there for everybody

girls go window shopping - kissing love away
living for tomorrow - weeping for today
overwired and overtired - bought and sold and used
every adolescent dream is finally abused

you say you love me - don't mean that much to me
the love you give me - is there for everybody

Overall Meaning

In Peter Godwin's song "Window Shopping," the singer expresses his disbelief and disillusionment in the concept of love. He repeats the refrain "you say you love me - don't mean that much to me," emphasizing his lack of trust and faith in the words of love. He believes that the love others give him is not unique or genuine, but rather a generic emotion that is shared with everyone. The chorus drives in the message that the love being offered is not special or exclusive, but rather something that is given to everyone.

The verses of the song paint a picture of a society that is consumed with superficial desires and pleasures. The imagery of boys and girls "window shopping" and "drinking lust away" suggests that they are seeking temporary satisfactions without any real emotional investment or attachment. The reference to "every adolescent dream" being "finally abused" illustrates the disappointment and disillusionment associated with growing up and realizing that love and relationships are not as easy or idealistic as once thought.

Overall, "Window Shopping" is a cynical commentary on love and relationships in modern society, highlighting the lack of authenticity and the prevalence of superficial pleasures.

Line by Line Meaning

you say you love me - don't mean that much to me
When you tell me you love me, it holds no value because the love you give is not exclusive and is given to everyone.

the love you give me - is there for everybody
The love you give me is not special or unique and is given to others just as freely.

I can't believe a word that means so much to me can mean as little as a bedtime fantasy or an obsession of a cool society fanning a fire that you can feel but never see
The word love holds great importance for me, but for you, it can be just a fleeting fancy or a trend that fuels superficial emotions.

boys go window shopping - drinking lust away looking for religions - tumbling in the hay overwired and overtired - bought and sold and used every adolescent dream is finally abused
Boys indulge in casual sexual encounters and search for fulfillment in fleeting moments, but these experiences leave them empty and unfulfilled, as their adolescent dreams are shattered and used by others.

it's not a case of acts of hate or cruelty or impositions that we feel bad morally it's just a bitter taste that we share mutually making insatiable the love that sets you free
The issue is not with overtly negative actions or moral wrongs, but rather the shared bitterness and dissatisfaction that comes from love that is not fulfilling and fails to provide freedom.

girls go window shopping - kissing love away living for tomorrow - weeping for today overwired and overtired - bought and sold and used every adolescent dream is finally abused
Girls seek love in fleeting kisses but are left empty, living only for a future that never comes, as their adolescent dreams are crushed and sold off to others.

Contributed by Levi A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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