There are other artists with the same name:
2 - Shame was a Japanese rock/visual kei band, active from 1994 until 2002, and again from 2006 until 2009.
3 - SHAME is a mathcore band from Oklahoma
4 - Shame is independent band from Brazil
5 - Shame is a rapper from New York who's track "Bronx Bounce" featured on 1988's The B-Boy Boogie Down Sampler 2
6 - Shame is a bay area rapper, he released 2 street albums California and Random Acts. His deep lyrics and sharp delivery created a fresh, unique sound.
7 - Shame is a Swedish dancehall band http://www.shame.se/
8 - Shame is an ambient/black metal band from the Netherlands.
9- SHAME is a noisy punk band from Olympia, Washington.
https://shameolympia.bandcamp.com/
Alphabet
Shame Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I still don't know the alphabet
Don't forget your P's and Q's
Please smile when we tell you to
Are you waiting
To feel good?
Are you praying
Monkey see and monkey do
Just like me in front of you
Hold my hand please don't be shy
Well you know I'm not the jealous type
Are you waiting
To feel good?
Are you praying
Like you should?
Are you waiting
To feel good?
I'm still waiting
Like I should
The lyrics to "Alphabet" by Shame reflect the struggles of coming of age and learning how to navigate a world that often seems hostile. The first line, "What you see is what you get," suggests that the singer is being honest and transparent about their experiences. However, the next line reveals that they "still don't know the alphabet," which can be interpreted both literally and metaphorically. They may be struggling to make sense of the world or to express themselves in a way that others understand.
Throughout the song, the singer emphasizes the importance of following societal norms - "Don't forget your P's and Q's" and "Please smile when we tell you to" - while simultaneously acknowledging the pressure to conform is suffocating. This is echoed in the lines "Monkey see and monkey do / Just like me in front of you," which reflect a sense of helplessness in the face of societal expectations.
Ultimately, the repetition of the phrase "Are you waiting to feel good? / Are you praying like you should?" underscores a sense of longing for something more meaningful than mere survival. The singer may be waiting for a deeper connection with others or a sense of purpose in life. Overall, "Alphabet" is a powerful reflection on the difficult process of growing up and coming to terms with the world.
Line by Line Meaning
Now what you see is what you get
I am showing you my true self, without any pretenses or masks
I still don't know the alphabet
I still have a lot to learn and experience, there are many things I don't yet understand
Don't forget your P’s and Q’s
Remember to be polite and respectful in your interactions with others
Please smile when we tell you to
Conform to our expectations and society's standards, even if they don't align with your own feelings
Are you waiting
To feel good?
Do you believe that happiness will come to you if you wait long enough, without taking action to make positive changes in your life?
Are you praying
Like you should?
Do you rely solely on external factors like religion to bring you inner peace and fulfillment, without taking responsibility for your own emotions and actions?
Monkey see and monkey do
Just like me in front of you
We often imitate the behavior of others, especially those we admire or look up to, without questioning if it aligns with our own values and beliefs
Hold my hand please don't be shy
Well you know I’m not the jealous type
I want to develop a close relationship with you and don't feel threatened by others in your life
I'm still waiting
Like I should
I am still trying to figure out how to be happy and fulfilled, but I understand that it is a journey and requires patience and effort
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Sean Coyle-Smith, Edward Hammond Green, Charlie Steen, Joshua Bevan Finerty, Charles John Forbes
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Johnny English
Now what you see is what you get
I still don't know the alphabet
Don't forget your P's and Q's
Please smile when we tell you to
Are you waiting
To feel good?
Are you praying
Like you should?
Monkey see and monkey do
Just like me in front of you
Hold my hand please don't be shy
Well you know I'm not the jealous type
Are you waiting
To feel good?
Are you praying
Like you should?
Are you waiting
To feel good?
I'm still waiting
Like I should
MendyPHX~Melee
2:13
Mario jump sound effect
why
i can't get over this
it ruined the song
it ruined everything
now i don't listen to the song anymore, i just wait for the mario jump sound effect
and then it comes
and my day is ruined
peå
i remember listening to songs of praise as a kid... hearing this as a 40 year old is great
Ricardo Silva
Good One, dude
congrats
Postpunk 1982
Seriously, I hope these boys haven’t missed the boat! Nice hype built up and flatlined while their peers have taken off!
Jim Bob
I'm 94 and I like to break dance to Shame. Mainly my hips that break.
hypergrrl
I remember when I offered to buy Josh a beer and couldn't because he wasn't 21 yet, haha!
Ronnie H
how old is songs of praise?????
Harold Roberts
Saw these guys a couple years back in Columbus, Ohio in a small bar, they tore the place to the ground. One of the best shows I’ve ever seen in my 48 yrs.
Pamela Brandau
Wow good for you Always feels so good to have those experiences with a new band . And i might add how ironic that so many times opening bands are better than the headliner. Not that it applies to your show, just sayin'
Tony Michael
Ace of Cups?
Gareth Davey
Seems to me Shame have musically matured way beyond their years, and way beyond the reductiveness of 'elder statesmen' IDLES. The Fugazi influence is hugely welcome, and transcends any accusations of pastiche or parody, thanks to the sheer quality of the song. A fantastic return! Having heard the calibre of other new tracks 'Human, for a minute', and 'Exhaler', I can't wait for album 2 from the Shame lads. The world needs more Shame!