The album Buzzkunst was released in 2001 on Cooking Vinyl, along with one single/video, 'Til The Stars In His Eyes Are Dead. Both vocals and lyrics remain reminiscent of Magazine and Luxuria (both bands Devoto has been in since the Buzzcocks), yet the music itself is experimental electronica, distinctly from the line of work Shelley since had been following.
Can You See Me Shining
Shelleydevoto Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
the most gorgeous face
I'm in trouble with myself
I'm gonna save my precious skin
I'm gonna save my precious skin
by getting under your skin
can you see me shining?
say you can see me shining
can you see me shining?
say you can see me shining
Is that some kind of trouble across the room?
Think I'm pulling a bird
I've been bothering-up myself
I'm dragging my nerves over your nerves
cos I've got to save my miserable skin
I've got to save my miserable skin
by getting under your skin
can you see me shining?
Shine for me
Can you see me shining?
say you can see me shining
can you see me shining?
say you can see me shining
Some sunny day you'll see me shine
Can you see me shining?
I'm shining out like I'm towering up in the night
shining out brightly from a blackening hole
Can you see me shining?
I'm shining out like I'm some big mutha of a searchlight
reaching right down to the bottom of your soul
We're arriving at the bottom of your soul
My seed eats into me
cos I'm seedy
I am a dish
and it eats into me with relish
can you see me shining?
can you see me shining?
The song "Can You See Me Shining?" by Shelleydevoto is a catchy, upbeat tune that appears to be about someone trying to save themselves by getting under someone else's skin. The first verse begins with the singer pulling a face, but not just any face - the most gorgeous face. They are in some kind of trouble with themselves and need to save their precious skin. The solution? Getting under your skin. The chorus repeats the question "Can you see me shining?" and asks for the listener to acknowledge that they can see them shining. The song reminds us that we all want to be seen, to be noticed, to shine in some way.
The second verse continues with the theme of saving oneself by getting under someone else's skin. The singer thinks they are pulling a bird (British slang for impressing someone), but they are really just bothering themselves. They are dragging their nerves over the other person's nerves in an attempt to save their miserable skin. The chorus repeats, asking once again if the listener can see the singer shining. The song ends with the line "My seed eats into me cos I'm seedy, I am a dish and it eats into me with relish." This line is particularly intriguing because it's not entirely clear what it means. Perhaps it's a reference to self-doubt or insecurity eating away at the singer.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm pulling a face
I am making a facial expression
the most gorgeous face
The facial expression is attractive
I'm in trouble with myself
I am experiencing internal conflict
I'm gonna save my precious skin
I will protect myself at all costs
I'm gonna save my precious skin
I will protect myself at all costs
by getting under your skin
By getting you to invest in me emotionally
can you see me shining?
Am I standing out to you?
Can you see me shining?
Am I standing out to you?
say you can see me shining
Please validate that I am special
can you see me shining?
Am I standing out to you?
Can you see me shining?
Am I standing out to you?
say you can see me shining
Please validate that I am special
Is that some kind of trouble across the room?
Is there something troubling you?
Think I'm pulling a bird
I think I am attracting a woman's attention
I've been bothering-up myself
I have been trying my best to appeal to others
I'm dragging my nerves over your nerves
I am trying to connect with you emotionally
cos I've got to save my miserable skin
Because I need to protect myself
I've got to save my miserable skin
Because I need to protect myself
by getting under your skin
By getting you to invest in me emotionally
Shine for me
Make me feel special
Some sunny day you'll see me shine
One day I will stand out and be recognized
I'm shining out like I'm towering up in the night
I am shining out in the darkness like a beacon
shining out brightly from a blackening hole
Shining in a dark and depressing situation
Can you see me shining?
Am I standing out to you?
I'm shining out like I'm some big mutha of a searchlight
I am shining like a powerful searchlight
reaching right down to the bottom of your soul
Making a deep emotional connection with you
We're arriving at the bottom of your soul
We are connecting on a deep and meaningful level
My seed eats into me
My underlying issues are consuming me
cos I'm seedy
Because I am flawed or immoral
I am a dish
I am attractive and desirable
and it eats into me with relish
It is both thrilling and consuming me
can you see me shining?
Am I standing out to you?
can you see me shining?
Am I standing out to you?
Contributed by Thomas R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.