A native of Reading, England, Lewis first became interested in music in his teens and played in several bands before he started experimenting with remixing tracks. Influenced by the introspective pop of Bon Iver and James Blake, as well as the club-ready hip-hop of artists like Common, Timbaland, and the Neptunes, Lewis began posting his own evocative, moody tracks online. He quickly built a loyal following, and eventually nabbed a residency DJ'ing at London's Chibuku Club.
In 2014, his remix of Jessie Ware's song "You & I (Forever)" caught the attention of Ware's label, PMR Records, who then signed him. A year later, he released his debut EP, Shivers. In 2016, Lewis delivered his sophomore EP, Yours, which included the track "Holding Back," featuring Gallant. Lewis' 2017 output consisted of the Toulouse-aided single "Times We Had" and the solo track "Smart Aleck Kill." He returned in January 2018 with "Aura," a bright yet low-key track featuring vocalist J Warner. The song appeared on the disco-influenced Dusk, which kicked off a trilogy of club-centric EPs slated to appear under the combined full-length album title of Dusk, Dark, Dawn. Meanwhile, he continued releasing singles including 2019's "Blue" and the Clairo collaboration "Throwaway." ~ Matt Collar
Shivers
SG Lewis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
With his head in his hands
And I think to myself, I was just like you
I can see there are times in your life
When it's way too much for you
The battles you wear, or the armor you choose
When I first fill my lungs in the morning
I try to remember to say a quiet thank you
I like to play myself a sweet little tune
And I feel those cool rivers
Washing all over me
And I know these smooth rhythms
Make me move my feet
Oh you give me those soul shivers
Taking me back to the days
When music was a life-giver
Make a bad man change his ways
Cool rivers
Soul shivers
I can feel those smooth rhythms
Make a bad man change, a bad man change his ways
I've seen men who sleep at the side of the road
With a smile upon their face
I heard old men sing with youth in their voice
When that old-time record plays
I seen young boys learning their first steps
To the sound of those drum breaks
And I heard the sound that accompanies
So many first mistakes
Still, I feel those cool rivers
Washing all over me
And I know these smooth rhythms
Make me move my feet
Oh you give me those soul shivers
Taking me back to the days
When music was a life-giver
Make a bad man change his ways
Oh, I see those cool rivers
Soul shivers
I can feel those smooth rhythms
Make a bad man change, a bad man change his ways
The song "Shivers" by SG Lewis is a tribute to the transformative power of music. The opening verse describes the scene of a man at a bar with his head in his hands. The singer empathizes with him and admits that he himself has been in that same position before. The lyrics suggest that life can sometimes be too overwhelming, and in such moments, music can be a source of comfort and healing. The imagery of battles and armor alludes to the idea that people often hide their vulnerabilities and put up defenses to protect themselves, but music can break down those barriers and allow for emotional release.
The chorus of the song emphasizes the physical and emotional impact of music. The phrase "cool rivers" suggests a refreshing and cleansing sensation that washes over the body. The "soul shivers" refer to the chills that music can evoke, and the power of those sensations to transport the listener back to a time when music was a "life-giver." The repeating melody and rhythm in the chorus create a hypnotic effect, echoing the idea that music has the power to make a "bad man change his ways."
The second verse echoes the sentiment of the first, highlighting the various ways in which music has impacted people's lives. From homeless men who find solace in music to young boys learning to dance, the lyrics suggest that music is a universal language that can connect people from all walks of life. The repeated chorus provides a sense of unity and communal experience that music can bring.
Overall, "Shivers" is a celebration of music's ability to heal and bring people together. The lyrics capture the physical and emotional impact of music while emphasizing its ability to transcend boundaries and create a shared experience.
Line by Line Meaning
I've been watching the man at the bar
Observing a man at the bar who seems to be in a difficult situation
With his head in his hands
He is trying to think and is in a contemplative state
And I think to myself, I was just like you
The singer can relate to the man's situation as he might have been in the same position earlier
I can see there are times in your life
Acknowledging that everyone goes through tough times in their life
When it's way too much for you
Sometimes, it can be too much to handle and can become overwhelming
The battles you wear, or the armor you choose
People deal with difficult situations in different ways, and it could manifest as either inner struggles or protective defenses
When I first fill my lungs in the morning
Deliberately taking deep breaths in the morning to start the day
I try to remember to say a quiet thank you
Expressing gratitude and appreciation for life
And if I rise with a weight in my heart
If the artist wakes up feeling sad, he tries to lift his spirits
I like to play myself a sweet little tune
Listening to music makes him feel better and happy
And I feel those cool rivers
The sensation of music washing over him
Washing all over me
The feeling of music surround and soaking into his being
And I know these smooth rhythms
The beats and melodies that make the music sound catchy and easy on the ears
Make me move my feet
The music makes him dance involuntarily
Oh you give me those soul shivers
The music's impact on his soul and emotions is profound
Taking me back to the days
Reminding him of happier or nostalgic memories
When music was a life-giver
Music was the source of life and energy for him
Make a bad man change his ways
The transformative power of music, moving the most obstinate people
I've seen men who sleep at the side of the road
The singer has observed homeless people who sleep by the roadside
With a smile upon their face
Despite their dire situation, they appear content and happy
I heard old men sing with youth in their voice
An older generation still has the vitality and spirit of youth when they sing
When that old-time record plays
Classic music has the power to take people back to their younger days and memories
I seen young boys learning their first steps
Witnessing young boys taking their first steps in life
To the sound of those drum breaks
The rhythm of drums motivates and drives them forward
And I heard the sound that accompanies
The accompanying music plays a crucial role in these life events
Oh, I see those cool rivers
The sensation of music washing over him
I can feel those smooth rhythms
The beats and melodies that make the music sound catchy and easy on the ears
Make a bad man change, a bad man change his ways
The transformative power of music, moving even the most obstinate people
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: John Paul Cooper, Sam Lewis
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@tatyd3324
I've been watching the man at the bar
With his head in his hands
And I think to myself, I was just like you
I can see there are times in your life
When it's way too much for you
The battles you wear, or the armor you choose
When I first fill my lungs in the morning
I try to remember to say a quiet thank you
And if I rise with a weight in my heart
I like to play myself a sweet little tune
And I feel those cool rivers
Washing all over me
And I know these smooth rhythms
Make me move my feet
Oh you give me those soul shivers
Taking me back to the days
When music was a life-giver
Make a bad man change his ways
Cool rivers
Soul shivers
I can feel those smooth rhythms
Make a bad man change, a bad man change his ways
I've seen men who sleep at the side of the road
With a smile upon their face
I heard old men sing with youth in their voice
When that old-time record plays
I seen young boys learning their first steps
To the sound of those drum breaks
And I heard the sound that accompanies
So many first mistakes
Still, I feel those cool rivers
Washing all over me
And I know these smooth rhythms
Make me move my feet
Oh you give me those soul shivers
Taking me back to the days
When music was a life-giver
Make a bad man change his ways
Oh, I see those cool rivers
Soul shivers
I can feel those smooth rhythms
Make a bad man change, a bad man change his ways
@Rosso488
there's not enough music like this.
@anonunknown7999
There's a lifetime's worth if you know where to go.
@danieltan4367
Shane Thomas
where ?
@MrSkipped
Shane Thomas whereee
@lukasdonald1639
lol
@robertwalker2396
Say that again
@BrotherEDEN
Love everything about this song and the visuals.
@APR944
What a beautiful song. Powerful lyrics.
@ratnadeep617
Nice lyrics! A good song after a long time.
@angelchavezac22
Oh snap, I've been hooked ever since you released Warm. I hope that you get all the recognition that you and your music deserves.