Shadows
Screaming Trees Lyrics


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Can't get back, can't remind you
We're closer now than I would want to be
They think it's easy if you just imagine
Before the dust will trip you up again

Choose the way that you want to go now
I'll meet you there, meet you there somehow
We leave behind all this worried puzzle
Wake from a dream, I knew you'd be there still

Don't you step into the shadows
Into a place where nobody goes
Through a gate where everything flows
With the fallen shadows

Down the street lined with dirt and plastic
When you appeared I just happened to be
In the midst of another nightmare
Taking me back just like I knew it would

Don't you step into the shadows
There's a place where nobody goes
Through a gate where everything flows
With the fallen shadows

In the dark there's no-one with me
There's no stars to warm my skin
I'd light a match if I could hold one
It's coming over me again
It's coming over me again, yeah

Let this feeling go on past us
Let this cage turn into rust
So many pieces and so many people
You'll never figure out just who I was then

Don't you step into the shadows
Into a place where nobody goes




Through a gate where everything flows
With the fallen shadows

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Screaming Trees' "Shadow Song" are open to interpretation, but it seems to be a song about a person trying to reconcile with someone from their past. The first line, "Can't get back, can't remind you," implies that there is some distance between the two individuals. However, they seem to be getting closer, which is not something the singer wants. This could be because there are unresolved issues between them or because the singer is afraid to be hurt again.


The next few lines suggest that others believe the situation is simple enough to solve if you just "imagine." However, the singer knows that it's not that easy, as they are about to be tripped up again by dust. This could be a metaphor for the obstacles that always seem to pop up between them.


The rest of the song goes on to describe how the singer wants the other person to choose the path they take and meet them somewhere along the way. They leave behind the puzzles of the past and hope to wake up to find that the other person is still there. However, the singer still feels like they are in the shadows and urges the other person not to step into that dark place. They wish to move forward and leave behind any negative feelings or situations, hoping that they can let their cage turn to rust and be free of their past.


Line by Line Meaning

Can't get back, can't remind you
Unable to return to the previous situation, and unable to make you remember


We're closer now than I would want to be
Our current proximity is too much for my comfort


They think it's easy if you just imagine
Others believe that imagining the solution is a simple task


Before the dust will trip you up again
Act now, before another problem arises


Choose the way that you want to go now
It's up to you to decide which path to take


I'll meet you there, meet you there somehow
I'll join you at the destination, no matter what it takes


We leave behind all this worried puzzle
We're escaping from the confusing and anxious situation


Wake from a dream, I knew you'd be there still
It feels so real that upon waking, I thought you'd still be there


Don't you step into the shadows
Stay away from the hidden and unknown places


Into a place where nobody goes
To a place with no human presence


Through a gate where everything flows
Entering a door that leads to everything


With the fallen shadows
Surrounded by the dark silhouettes


Down the street lined with dirt and plastic
Walking along a road with unclean and synthetic surroundings


When you appeared I just happened to be
You coincidentally showed up when I was there


In the midst of another nightmare
During another terrifying experience


Taking me back just like I knew it would
Bringing me back to a familiar place as expected


In the dark there's no-one with me
I'm all alone in the pitch blackness


There's no stars to warm my skin
I can't even rely on the stars for comfort


I'd light a match if I could hold one
If only I were able to light a match for some light


It's coming over me again
The feeling is returning


Let this feeling go on past us
Allow this emotion to continue beyond us


Let this cage turn into rust
Let this confinement corrode away


So many pieces and so many people
With countless fragments of memories and many individuals


You'll never figure out just who I was then
You'll never fully understand my past self




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS

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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

Jardel Morais

The hour is ending, can't you see
There is no way now, to get free
In the shadow of the season
Without a reason, to carry on
Without a reason, without a reason

And from the north woods
Down to the valley
In a world of hurting, I'm moving on

And from the lighthouse
Out on the ocean
Can't climb the mountain, so very tall

Said Lord please give me what I need
He said there's pain and misery
Oh sweet oblivion feels alright

The hour is drawing ever closer
And rolling over, won't let me be
In the shadow of the season
To find a reason, to carry on

Said Lord please give me what I need
He said there's pain and misery
Oh sweet oblivion

She calls me onward to her side
And feels her song deep inside
And find a reason

In the shadow of the season
To find a reason to carry on
In the shadow of the season
To find a reason to carry on
Find a reason to carry on
To carry on
To find a reason to carry on



All comments from YouTube:

Jack Spry

RIP the two members of Screaming Trees
Mark Lanegan (November 25, 1964 – February 22, 2022), aged 57
Van Conner (March 17, 1967 – January 17, 2023), aged 55
You both will be remembered as legends.

PMC

Oh man I didn't know about Van. Fantastic musician. RIP Van and the one and only Mark Lanegan too. Sad News.

Winter Rose

😢

srujan00

Drugs/drinking took their toll.

Anonymous26

You copy and pasted this dude

John Cameron

R.I.P. Mark Lanegan.
Unique voice and will be missed by many.

kay

May The lord bless his sweat soul.

Ryder's Dad Joe

I always thought that him and lane had the best vocals of that era. Especially in the lower tones. Mark will definitely be missed!

p.b.palacios almafuerte

Hunter Vonnegut ok man,.

Katariina Ketonen

cg.
,

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