Need
Shannon Murray Lyrics


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I wish the capitalist machine

Hadn't already, already, already

Co-opted the country music scene

'Cause I need
Yeah I need

I need

I need

I want my dragon that was slain

By some arrogant, arrogant, arrogant naïve

In shiny apathy

'Cause I need

Yeah I need

I need

I need

This place is tinier than me

It's so suffo… so suffo… so suffocating

Oh suffer me

'Cause I need

Yeah I need

I need

I need

Do—do do do do

The ice is heaving in the heat

And the darkness finally, finally, finally

Finally retreats

And I need

Yeah I need

I need





I need

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Shannon Murray's song 'Need' are deeply introspective and touching. The opening lines express the singer's disappointment in how the capitalist machine has taken over the country music scene. The singer feels as though this has taken away from the authenticity of the genre and left a void that needs to be filled. The repeated use of the word "already" emphasizes the singer's feelings of missed opportunity and the sense of regret for not having been able to experience the untainted country music scene before its co-opting by the capitalist machine.


The second verse is a metaphorical representation of the singer's emotional state. The "dragon that was slain" refers to something that has been lost or taken away from the singer. The arrogance and naivety of others have caused the loss of something valuable to the singer. It is also important to note the use of the word "shiny" which implies substance without depth or meaning. The singer needs something real, something that has soul, and something that has not been co-opted by capitalism.


In the final verse, the singer talks about the suffocating feeling of being confined to a tiny place. The repetition of "so suffocating" could represent the overwhelming feeling of anxiety, the inability to breathe, and the need for something more. The use of the word "suffer" represents a plea to be heard and understood. Finally, the lyrics end on a hopeful note with the mention of the darkness retreating and the ice heaving in the heat. This could be a metaphor for the singer growing and changing as they seek the things they need in life.


Line by Line Meaning

I wish the capitalist machine
I regret the fact that capitalism has already gained control of the country music industry


Hadn't already, already, already
I wish it wasn't too late to prevent it from happening


Co-opted the country music scene
Capitalism has taken over and influenced the country music industry


'Cause I need
Because it's important to me


Yeah I need
I need it badly


I need
I really need it


I need
I cannot do without it


I want my dragon that was slain
I desire for my hope and strength to be restored


By some arrogant, arrogant, arrogant naïve
By someone who was overconfident and unexperienced


In shiny apathy
In a state of ignorance and indifference


'Cause I need
Because it's crucial to me


Yeah I need
I require it badly


I need
I truly need it


I need
It's vital for me to have it


This place is tinier than me
This environment is more restrictive than myself


It's so suffo… so suffo… so suffocating
It's so constricting it's like being unable to breathe


Oh suffer me
I am begging for relief


'Cause I need
It's absolutely necessary


Yeah I need
I want it so much


I need
I really cannot do without it


I need
It's a dire necessity


Do—do do do do
Instrumental interlude


The ice is heaving in the heat
The coldness is moving and melting under the pressure of the warmth


And the darkness finally, finally, finally
And the absence of hope and light is finally disappearing


Finally retreats
Finally subsides or moves back


And I need
I require it


Yeah I need
I really need it


I need
It's imperative


I need
It's vital for me




Contributed by Violet N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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