Chasing Shadows
Santigold Lyrics

360, 5 left
Santigold is counting down the days.

I'm counting it to the day
She is counting down to a specific day with anticipation.

I'm thinking if I did everything I said
She's reflecting on whether or not she accomplished everything she set out to do.

Or if the year got the best of me
She's considering the possibility that the year wasn't in her favor.

One thing about time, it waits for nobody
Time marches on regardless of any particular person, and life keeps moving forward.

You told me, isn't that what they say
She is posing a rhetorical question, referring to the common phrase that time waits for nobody.

Been batting 'gainst it and getting nowhere
She's been resisting the forward momentum of time, but has not been making any progress by doing so.

Just racin' got nothing to say to nobody
She's busy with her own pursuits and doesn't feel the need to justify herself to others.

Little lady you Better get in line
This is a warning to herself that she needs to get her priorities straight and focus on what's important.

Now I'm talking this to myself
She's giving herself a pep talk and motivating herself to take action.

Better get in on down with the program
She needs to get in line with what everyone else is doing and not be left behind.

Don't sell your lot for an old broke dream they been sellin' ya
She's warning herself not to waste her time on outdated dreams that won't amount to anything.

Free fallin like Tom Petty, waitin' on this rodeo to haul
She's feeling like she's drifting aimlessly and waiting for something to happen to give her direction.

I break my own rules, steal my way home
She's admitting to herself that sometimes she goes against her own principles, but eventually returns to her true self.

And guard the still there like a beast
She fiercely protects her true self and what is important to her.

We race the globe
The song is about people who are competing internationally.

The shakers and the fools
She's referring to people who have influence and those who don't, but who are still caught up in the competition.

We trouble you know
These people cause problems and chaos in their pursuit of success.

You'll find us where we fall
Despite their troubles, these people keep going and never stop trying.

We chasing shadows
The goal of these people is always just out of reach, and they never quite attain it.

(and I can't have it, have it any other way)
She's emphasizing that she can't change who she is and how she lives her life.

Always knew I'd be international, no fear of flying
She's always wanted to travel and see the world, and has no fear of flying to get there.

Limousines, big people, their parties But I'm on an island
She's describing the luxurious lifestyle of the rich and famous, but notes that she's alone on an island and disconnected from that world.

Watching through a window the flashing light on the bed
She's observing the excesses of other people's lives from afar.

Neon sign goes red
This is a symbol for how the extravagance and glamor of fame can eventually turn on a person.

"You Are Here" it says, well
This is a realization that even though she's not where she thought she'd be, she knows where she's at in life.

At least someone knows where I am
She finds comfort in knowing that she is aware of her place in the world.

Maybe I will get it wrong, no patience for myself
She's admitting that she may make mistakes, but doesn't have much patience for herself.

Selling years of ideas 'til I'm old, a living on the shelf
She doesn't want to waste her time trying to sell her ideas to others, only to end up forgotten and alone.

I won't follow I'm taking the long way, my standards hold me up
She refuses to follow the path that others have set out for her, and only lives by her own standards.

Why they eating they idols up?
She's questioning why people put so much weight into the opinions of others.

Damnit, I give 'em my heart in words will they remember me
She's hoping that the words she uses will stick with people and be remembered.

I'll leave 'em alone and time'll want to smother what I say
She thinks that eventually her words won't be remembered or valued anymore.

I round another year and wonder did I go some place
She's questioning whether she's made any progress or improved herself in the past year.

I'm bucking this one down, this one right here won't walk away
She's determined to overcome whatever obstacle she's facing and not let it defeat her.