Shapiro is an American rock band from Washington, DC. The group started wh… Read Full Bio ↴Shapiro is an American rock band from Washington, DC. The group started when brothers John (Drums / BGVs) and Nathan Granofsky (Guitar) began playing alongside their cousin Jeremy Teter (Vocals / Piano), all three having been raised in musical families. Later Carl Shapiro (Bass) joined, lending the group his last name, followed by Chris Howe (Guitar / Synth), completing the lineup.

In Shapiro’s beginning, Teter’s songwriting was heavily influenced by classic greats like The Beatles, Supertramp and Queen. As his writing continued to evolve, he added more indie-rock influences like Spoon, Wilco and the Arcade Fire. Lyrically, Teter draws much from his own life experiences; topics range from love and breakups to religion to the stresses of being on the road.

Since their inception, these independent rockers have devoted themselves to extensive touring around the U.S., each night being reminded of the friends and fans that keep them going. Shapiro is hallmarked for their energetic, unique, and fun-loving live show. Fans are kept on the edge of their seat as Shapiro manages to tear through their set-lists with an energy that at times seems nearly out of control. The group now has over 300 shows under their belt and has played with other renowned acts such as Mute Math, The Walkmen, The Antlers, Cage the Elephant, Mae and more.

With producer / engineer John Mark Painter (Ben Folds, Death Cab for Cutie, John Mayer) at the helm, the group recorded and released their debut self-titled album in 2010. The record is comprised of songs written over the course of the bands tenure. Fun, catchy and theatrical, the record is sure to please old fans as well as attract new ones. Shapiro continues their rigorous U.S. touring in support of this recent release. For more information, visit www.shapiropeople.com.

Soporific
Shapiro Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

As you fall asleep
I forget our last
But you don't know what I mean
When I say, "I'm tired of you."

I've been thinking about
How we all have changed
And I've been thinking about you too

And how you stayed the same

When I
When I
When I'm with you

I know you're wondering
I know you're wondering
I know you're wondering

I've been walking around
Around
Around
And you are no where to be found
Be found
Be found

And I've been so uptight
Something's got to give

When I
When I
When I'm with you

I know you're wondering
I know you're wondering
I know you're wondering

I'll fight everyone in this room
If I have to
Just to prove to you I do

When I
When I
When I
When I
When I'm with you

I know you're wondering

Overall Meaning

"Soporific" by Shapiro is a melancholic indie rock song about the ennui and disillusionment of a relationship. The song opens with the lines, "As you fall asleep, I forget our last, but you don't know what I mean when I say, 'I'm tired of you.'" The singer seems to be going through the motions of a relationship that has lost its spark and passion. The title of the song, "Soporific", which means something that induces sleep or dullness, sets the tone for the emotional lethargy that permeates throughout the song.

The singer reflects on how both of them have changed, but the other person has remained the same. The repetitive "when I'm with you" refrain adds to the sense of stagnation as the singer questions the purpose of being together. The second verse describes the loneliness and isolation felt by the singer as they walk around, unable to find the other person. The bridge of the song is a declaration of the singer's commitment to the relationship despite its problems, stating "I'll fight everyone in this room if I have to, just to prove to you I do."

Overall, "Soporific" is a poignant song that captures the feeling of being stuck in a dead-end relationship and not knowing how to move forward.

Line by Line Meaning

As you fall asleep
As you drift off to sleep

I forget our last
I forget our last conversation/exchange

But you don't know what I mean
But you don't understand the frustration I have with you

When I say, "I'm tired of you."
When I express that I am exhausted from dealing with you

I've been thinking about
I've been contemplating

How we all have changed
How we have all transformed/grown/matured

And I've been thinking about you too
And I've also been thinking about you

And how you stayed the same
And how you haven't changed

When I When I When I'm with you
When I'm around you

I know you're wondering
I know you're curious