Silverstein's passion for music was clear early on as he studied for a while at the Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University. As a songwriter, Silverstein kept a low profile but cast a long shadow. He tended to shun publicity and even photographers. Nonetheless, his musical output included many songs which were hits for other artists. Most notably, he wrote the music and lyrics for "A Boy Named Sue" that was performed by Johnny Cash (for which he won a Grammy in 1970); "One's on the Way" (which was a hit for Loretta Lynn), and "The Unicorn Song" which, despite having nothing to do with Ireland nor Irish culture, became the signature piece for The Irish Rovers in 1968 and is popular in pubs all over the world to this day. He wrote the lyrics and music for most of the Dr. Hook songs, including "Cover of the Rolling Stone", "Freakin' at the Freakers' Ball", "Sylvia's Mother", and the cautionary song about VD, "Don't Give a Dose to the One You Love Most". He also wrote many of the songs performed by Bobby Bare, including "Marie Laveau", "Rosalie's Good Eats Cafe", "The Mermaid", "The Winner", and "Tequila Sheila". The song "The Ballad of Lucy Jordan",] recorded in 1979 by Marianne Faithfull and later featured in the films Montenegro and Thelma & Louise, was also by Silverstein.
Standing on the Outside of Your Shelter
Shel Silverstein Lyrics
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While the bombs around are falling everywhere,
Inside you look so warm and safe and oh so happy,
Have I ever told you that I care?
Have I ever told you that you're wonderful?
And it hurts me so that we have grown apart.
I'm standing on the outside of your shelter, dear,
In Shel Silverstein's song Standing on the Outside of Your Shelter, the lyrics depict a post-apocalyptic scenario where the world is ravaged with bombs and destruction. The singer stands on the outside of a shelter where his beloved is residing safely. He feels left out and helpless as he watches the bombs fall around him. The atmosphere of desperation and despair is further underscored by the repetition of "I'm standing on the outside of your shelter, looking in."
The lyrics also suggest that the singer and his beloved have grown apart, and he feels a pang of regret and longing for a rekindled relationship. He acknowledges the distance between them, saying "And it hurts me so that we have grown apart," but he also expresses his admiration and love for her, creating an emotional resonance that translates well to the listener.
The song is a reminder that in times of crisis and strife, it is our connections to loved ones that give us comfort and hope. It also highlights the importance of expressing our feelings to those we care about while we still have the chance.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm standing on the outside of your shelter looking in,
I'm watching you protect yourself from afar,
While the bombs around are falling everywhere,
As chaos and destruction ravage the world outside your walls,
Inside you look so warm and safe and oh so happy,
You seem to be leading a happy, contented life within the boundaries of your sanctuary,
Have I ever told you that I care?
Have I ever expressed to you how much I care about you?
Have I ever told you that you're wonderful?
Have I ever mentioned that you are exceptional?
And it hurts me so that we have grown apart.
I ache at the thought of our distance and disconnection with each other,
I'm standing on the outside of your shelter, dear,
I remain an outsider to your personal world, dear,
But I hope I'm on the inside of your heart.
Yet, I pray I hold a treasured place in your heart.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: SHEL SILVERSTEIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind