In recent years, Nicholson has also moved into music production, working on albums for artists such as Angie Hart (Frente), Catherine Britt, Beccy Cole, Sarah Humphreys, Nikki Jensen, Israel Cannan, and the Quarry Mountain Dead Rats. Nicholson was named Producer of the Year at the 2013 Country Music Awards of Australia.
The High Price Of Surviving
Shane Nicholson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We'll fall from grace every now and then
Loving and losing from pillar to post
The things we hold dear can hurt us the most
It's just the price of surviving we pay
For sticking it out through another day
But it's better than taking the other way out
Ghosts at the table, junkmail and trash
I bury myself in cigarette ash
I draw the curtain, there ain't much to see
The world moves along and forgets about me
It's just the price of surviving we pay
For sticking it out through another day
But it's better than taking the other way out
Hope, carry me now
Hope, carry me now
It's gonna take us the long way around
It's just the price of surviving this life
Learning to breathe through the trouble and strife
When living is only being alive
Then it's just the price of surviving we pay
For sticking it out through another day
But it's better than taking the other way out
In "The High Price of Surviving," Shane Nicholson talks about the ups and downs of life and how we all have to pay a price for surviving each day. He acknowledges that we all make mistakes, fall from grace, and lose love from time to time, but we need to hold on to the things we cherish despite the pain they might bring. The song acknowledges that it's natural to feel like giving up and to feel overwhelmed at times, but it is better to choose to stay alive and fight on even if it's difficult.
The lyrics describe a scene of isolation, the feeling of being forgotten, and not having much to aspire to. Nicholson mentions ghosts at the table, junkmail, and trash, symbolizing the rejection and neglect one may confront when feeling like the world has moved on. But the chorus reassures us that hope will carry us through the tough times, and we'll go the long way around, implying that the road we take may not be easy, but it will be worth it.
Line by Line Meaning
There's been mistakes and there'll be again
We have made errors in the past and will likely make more in the future
We'll fall from grace every now and then
We will occasionally stumble or make mistakes that diminish our reputation
Loving and losing from pillar to post
We experience the ups and downs of relationships and may struggle to find stability
The things we hold dear can hurt us the most
We may be most vulnerable to emotional pain when it comes to the things we care about most
It's just the price of surviving we pay
Enduring hardships is a necessary and expected part of life
For sticking it out through another day
Choosing to persevere through difficult times is commendable
But it's better than taking the other way out
Suicide or other drastic measures are not viable alternatives to facing our problems
Ghosts at the table, junkmail and trash
Existential dread or a sense of loneliness can be overwhelming
I bury myself in cigarette ash
Using unhealthy coping mechanisms to numb one's pain can be addictive
I draw the curtain, there ain't much to see
Feeling disillusioned with the world or circumstances can lead to isolation
The world moves along and forgets about me
It can feel like the rest of the world has little regard for our existence when we are struggling
Hope, carry me now
There is a desire for something to cling to or provide a sense of purpose or direction
It's gonna take us the long way around
Finding a path forward may require more time and effort than expected
It's just the price of surviving this life
Dealing with hardships is an inevitable aspect of being alive
Learning to breathe through the trouble and strife
Developing resilience in the face of adversity is a valuable skill
When living is only being alive
When one is simply going through the motions and not finding fulfillment or satisfaction
Writer(s): Shane Nicholson, Leyon Milner
Contributed by Elizabeth L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@jonpollett8610
Brilliant Shane. Well deserved award
@SueLeeNewman
Great song Shane.
@tara-leedawn5509
You hooked me 20 years ago and you’re still mesmerising us all with beautiful melody! So much has happened in that 20 years since I was hooked on pretty violet stain, but here I am, still listening, still feeling, still surviving...
@shanenicholson3608
My heart is filled with joy knowing that I am blessed with the best fans
thanks for commenting,I received and
appreciate the feedback! where are you from?
@Buzzbox3rd
This gives me the chills, yet, it also gives me hope. How i love this new piece from Shane. You Sir, pure class.
@wombatcarebundanoon942
Love it....a gift. Thank you so much.🎶🐾
@AndyKidd
Lovely song ❤️
@purpssss4
Beautiful new song and wonderful clip. Made my morning. :)
@bridgetwhite5242
Such a nice song X
@shanenicholson3608
My heart is filled with joy knowing that I am blessed with the best fans
thanks for commenting,I received and
appreciate the feedback! where are you from?