Shame
ROBBIE WILLIAMS/GARY BARLOW Lyrics


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Well there’s three versions of this story mine and yours
And then the truth
Now we can put it down to circumstance, our childhood, then our youth
Out of some sentimental gain I wanted you to feel my pain,
But it came back return to sender
I read your mind and tried to call,
My tears could fill the Albert Hall,
Is this the sound of sweet surrender?

What a shame we never listened
I told you through the television
And all that went away was the price we paid
People spend a lifetime this way
Oh what a shame.

So I got busy throwing everybody underneath the bus, oh
And with your poster 30 foot high at the back of Toys-R-Us
I wrote a letter in my mind,
But the words were so unkind,
About a man I can’t remember
I don’t recall the reasons why,
I must have meant them at the time
Is this the sound of sweet surrender?

What a shame we never listened
I told you through the television
And all that went away was the price we paid
People spend a lifetime this way
And that’s how they stay
Oh what a shame.

Words come easy
When they’re true
Words come easy
When they’re true

So I got busy throwing everybody underneath the bus
And with your poster 30 foot high at the back of Toys-R-Us
Now we can put it down to circumstance, our childhood then our youth.

What a shame we never listened
I told you through the television
And all that went away was the price we paid
People spend a lifetime this way
And that’s how they stay
People spend a lifetime this way
Oh what a shame
What a shame.

Ooh




Such a shame what a shame
Beautiful shame, real shame, and stuff double shame (shame, shame shame)

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Robbie Williams and Gary Barlow’s “Shame” tell the story of two longtime friends, and their eventual fallout. The song starts by stating that there are three versions of their story: Robbie Williams’ version, Gary Barlow's version, and the truth. Robbie then reflects on their past and how they ended up where they are now. He wonders if it was because of their childhood or youth, but ultimately concludes that it was just circumstance. In an attempt to make Gary feel his pain, Robbie vents his frustrations, but it doesn't help, as his pain is returned back to him. Robbie admits that he tried to call Gary but tears filled his eyes and he couldn’t bring himself to say anything.


As the song continues, Robbie gets angry and throws everyone “underneath the bus” and writes a letter in his head about Gary. He says mean words about Gary, although he can no longer recall the reason for his upset. He laments their greatly missed opportunities for resolution in their friendship, magnified by the fact that he tried to reach out to Gary but was unable to. The song concludes with the realization that they spent a lifetime holding onto their grievances towards each other, and that it’s a real shame that they didn’t listen to each other when it mattered.


Line by Line Meaning

Well there’s three versions of this story mine and yours
There are different perspectives of the same event.


And then the truth
One of the perspectives could be truthful.


Now we can put it down to circumstance, our childhood, then our youth
The past could have influenced the outcome of the situation.


Out of some sentimental gain I wanted you to feel my pain,
I shared my story hoping for empathy.


But it came back return to sender
The response was not what I expected.


I read your mind and tried to call,
I tried to understand your perspective.


My tears could fill the Albert Hall,
The situation was emotional and overwhelming.


Is this the sound of sweet surrender?
Is giving up and accepting the situation sweet or bitter?


What a shame we never listened
It is unfortunate that we did not pay attention.


I told you through the television
I communicated indirectly through media.


And all that went away was the price we paid
The cost of not listening was significant.


People spend a lifetime this way
Some people live their entire lives in this manner.


And that’s how they stay
They do not realize and change their behavior.


Words come easy When they’re true
True words are effortless to express.


So I got busy throwing everybody underneath the bus, oh
I started to blame others to avoid my own responsibility.


And with your poster 30 foot high at the back of Toys-R-Us
Your image was used for public relations.


I wrote a letter in my mind, But the words were so unkind,
I thought of a message, but it was malicious.


About a man I can’t remember
It was about someone who was not significant.


I don’t recall the reasons why, I must have meant them at the time
I cannot justify my actions, but I believed in them in the past.


And that’s how they stay
People continue to act this way.


Ooh, Such a shame what a shame, Beautiful shame, real shame, and stuff double shame (shame, shame shame)
Different types of shames are experienced in life.




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group, SHAPIRO BERNSTEIN & CO. INC.
Written by: MARLON LU'REE N WILLIAMS, PAUL YEBUAH

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@tallbrowngal

I've very rarely heard voices harmonize so beautifully. Two of the best male voices in the industry coming together is just love

@Lark1610

Simon & Garfunkel, Everly Brothers, Bee Gees, The Beach Boys.

@subhadeepray2848

Sahi kha

@monikaszymanowska5142

Forgive me but if those two were close to best at anything in the industry, the industry would fall.

@hichemazli7784

Gary's voice is way better!!!!!!

@katkenobi6765

LMFAO, have you never heard of John Lennon and Paul McCartney??? I like the way they harmonize (Gary and Robbie), they’re good, very good, but NOT THE BEST. I can list a bunch who are WAY BETTER: Lennon & McCartney, Tommy Shaw & Jack Blades, Daryl Hall & John Oates, The Everly Brothers, Bee Gees, pretty much all of the old Motown acts.

I’m not dissing these 2, I actually quite enjoy them and Take That (my little brother was the one who got me into Take That, I’d never even heard of them until 2 years ago). But to claim they’re THE BEST is just nonsense. Lennon & McCartney are THE BEST, their voices just move through each other so perfectly. Hall & Oates and Shaw & Blades are tied for 2nd. Of course, all of this is just opinions, yours, mine, everyone.

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@jonsouthtv9629

This song reunited me and my brother after 12 years. Forever glad.

@ameliabedelia7018

@Jonsouthtv by brother do you mean lover?

@simondennis9460

This is delightful to hear!!

@evviesands

Those who see sexual tension between them don't know these guys have a huge history together: they were childhood friends, grew up together as members of a super successful boy band, then their egos clashed, friendships were broken and both went their separate way. Now that they're older and more mature they can reconcile their differences. Awwwwww! I love this bromance!

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