The band's first lineup was Craig Wedren (vocals and guitar), Chris Matthews (guitar), Stuart Hill (bass) and Mike Russell (drums). In this incarnation, the band released two singles and one album (Curse, Spells, Voodoo, Mooses, 1989) before being signed by the Dischord label. Three albums were then released (Ten-Spot, 1990, Funeral at the Movies, 1991, and Get Your Goat, 1992), before the band gained greater exposure by touring with Fugazi and the Smashing Pumpkins.
Nathan Larson (guitars) and drummer Adam Wade replaced Matthews and Russell in 1994, immediately prior to a major-label contract with Epic with whom Pony Express Record was released in 1994. The album's angular, mathematical post-modernism earned it an intense cult-like following, marking the record as one of the most original punk albums to ever be released on a major label.
Over the next few years, Wedren successfully battled Hodgkin's Disease, Larson recorded an album with side project band Mind Science of the Mind and Wade left the group. His replacement was Kevin March, formerly drummer with Dambuilders.
Another album, 50,000 B.C. was released in 1997. The band also worked on music for soundtracks including First Love, Last Rites and High Art.
1998, the same year in which the band appeared on several tracks for the film Velvet Goldmine, saw Larson's departure and the subsequent demise of the group, which split that year. Wedren pursued a solo career, including an appearance on the Down to You soundtrack with Didn't Mean to Do You Harm, and contributed backing vocals to Verve Pipe's 1999 eponymous album.
Both Larson and Wedren have gone on to create highly-regarded film-music. Wedren also makes solo music, and has recently released his debut album, "Lapland", in 2005. Larson has formed a new band called Hot One.
Chocolate
Shudder To Think Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Do do do do do do.
What, I'm really second best to
the one who's on your chest.
And in your eyes, I look resized,
beyond sex.
Am I really second best to ya?
Chocolate eyes.
Don't go,
Cos you make me see,
that I just can't see,
and you're kidding me,
and I'm falling backwards.
Come come come come come come.
Do do do do do do.
But I'm really second best to
the one who's on your chest.
And in your eyes, I look resized,
beyond sex.
Am I really second best to ya?
Chocolate eyes.
Don't go,
cos you make me see,
that I'm not quite me,
and it's killing me,
and I'm falling backwards.
Falling backwards.
Come come come come come come.
Do do do do do do.
The lyrics to "Chocolate" by Shudder To Think are cryptic and elusive, inviting a number of interpretations. The song is clearly about a romantic relationship that is complicated and one-sided. The chorus "Come come come come come come, Do do do do do do" represents a plea for attention and affection from the singer's lover. The first verse expresses the singer's insecurity about being "second best" to another person who is always on their lover's mind and in their eyes. Despite the love and desire the singer feels for their partner with their "chocolate eyes," they fear that they will never be enough to compete with this other person.
The second verse builds on this theme of insecurity as the singer admits that they are not quite themselves in their lover's presence. They are aware that they are being changed and manipulated, but they cannot help falling backwards into the same pattern of falling in love despite the pain and heartbreak that lies ahead.
Overall, the song is a heartbreaking meditation on the ways in which we allow ourselves to be defined by others, and the lengths we will go to in order to hold onto someone who may never love us in the same way. The repetitive nature of the chorus underscores the sense of desperation and longing at the heart of the song.
Line by Line Meaning
Come come come come come come.
Repeatedly pleading for attention and validation.
Do do do do do do.
Further emphasizing the need for attention and validation.
What, I'm really second best to
the one who's on your chest.
Feeling inferior to someone who is physically closer to the person they desire.
And in your eyes, I look resized,
beyond sex.
Feeling objectified and reduced to their physical features, and seeking deeper connection beyond that.
Am I really second best to ya?
Chocolate eyes.
Questioning their worth and attractiveness compared to someone else, and characterizing the other person with a physical trait.
Don't go,
Cos you make me see,
that I just can't see,
and you're kidding me,
and I'm falling backwards.
Begging the other person to stay because they bring clarity to their life, but feeling deceived and confused, and ultimately losing their stability without them.
But I'm really second best to
the one who's on your chest.
And in your eyes, I look resized,
beyond sex.
Repeating their insecurity and longing for genuine connection.
Chocolate eyes.
Don't go,
cos you make me see,
that I'm not quite me,
and it's killing me,
and I'm falling backwards.
Reiterating their desire for the other person, emphasizing that they see themselves differently and are struggling without them.
Falling backwards.
Summarizing their emotional state and vulnerability.
Come come come come come come.
Do do do do do do.
Repeating their plea for attention and validation, highlighting the cyclical nature of their emotional struggle.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Brian Goldsmith
Shudder To Think was the first band I ever saw live. I was in 9th grade. Maxwells in Hoboken, NJ. Blew me away! This band will forever be a huge part in my memory. Simply amazing! I went on to see them two more times afterward.
Oqsy
This is one of their best, and I love it all. I saw them open for Foo Fighters in Memphis on their first tour, and STT were by far the best band I’d ever seen. I wish I’d know what I was witnessing and I would have tried to get the setlist if they had one. No other band has instantly gotten my attention like they did. Such a beautiful combination of grinding chords to jangling, over the top vibrato vocals, mastery of rhythms…
Michael F.
One of the greatest songs ever
musiclover01ization
Nice song. The vocals are great.
Maria Spizuoco
amazing song
Phobe Romys
That sounds SO much like late 70s Peter Gabriel 🙂
Adam A
do do do do do do