"Shape" is a song by English girl group Sugababes, released as the fourth a… Read Full Bio ↴"Shape" is a song by English girl group Sugababes, released as the fourth and final single from their second studio album, Angels with Dirty Faces (2002). It was composed by Sting, Dominic Miller, and Craig Dodds, who produced the song. The midtempo pop and R&B ballad incorporates a sample of Sting's 1993 recording "Shape of My Heart", whose vocals are featured in the chorus. It received mixed reviews from critics, who were ambivalent towards the sample of "Shape of My Heart".

Shape
Sugababes Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I live my life in chains
Got my hands in chains
And I can't sticks with the cards that I got
With a deal like this
I must insist a girls got more to do
Then be the way you think a woman should
I'm taking it into my hands
In this mans land I can

Understand why I'm taking command
I've had enough of stuff
And now it's time to think about
Me, me yeah

And you can easily gamble your life away
Second after second
And day by day
You play the game or you walk away
It's a new turn on a blue day
And a cool deal of life for me
And it's all good

I know that the spades
Are the swords of a soldier
I know that the clubs
Are weapons of war
I know that diamonds
Mean money for this art
But that's not the shape of my heart

I've always played it safe nothings ever safe
Give me the courage to back my own convictions
Every decision I make
I pay it back and more
Now turn the cards and let them fall to me
I don't need to play on with the hand that they have given me
I give it back
'Cause it's not the way it has to be

And you can easily gamble your life away
Second after second
And day by day
You play the game or you walk away
It's a new turn on a blue day
And a cool deal of life for me
And it's all good

I know that the spades
Are the swords of a soldier
I know that the clubs
Are weapons of war
I know that diamonds
Mean money for this art
But that's not the shape of my heart

That's not the shape
The shape of my heart
My heart
That's not the shape of my heart

And you can easily gamble your life away
Second after second
And day by day
You play the game or you walk away
It's a new turn on a blue day
And a cool deal of life for me
And it's all good

And you can easily gamble your life away
Second after second
And day by day
You play the game or you walk away
It's a new turn on a blue day
And a cool deal of life for me
And it's all good

I know that the spades
Are the swords of a soldier
I know that the clubs
Are weapons of war
I know that diamonds
Mean money for this art
But that's not the shape of my heart

I know that the spades
Are the swords of a soldier
I know that the clubs
Are weapons of war
I know that diamonds

Mean money for this art
But that's not the shape of my heart

Overall Meaning

In Sugababes’s single, “Shape”, the lyrics assert that the singer is not bound by societal expectations and conventions of a woman’s role. She feels imprisoned by the preconceived notions that society has enforced upon her gender and is determined to break free from those restrictions. The chorus of the song emphasizes the ease with which one can gamble away their life second by second, day by day, and instead encourages listeners to take risks and seize the opportunities that arise. The verses describe a person who has played it safe all her life but is now ready to make her own choices and live life on her own terms. The line “I know that the spades are the swords of a soldier, I know that the clubs are weapons of war, I know that diamonds mean money for this art, but that’s not the shape of my heart” exhibits a rebellion against the traditional symbolism associated with playing cards, suggesting that those symbols do not represent who she is.

Through “Shape”, the Sugababes empower listeners to embrace their true selves and not be dictated by what society expects of them. The lyrics challenge gender norms and encourage women to be independent and aspire towards their dreams. The song also highlights the never-ending game of life, poking fun at the consequences of not taking chances and risks. Therefore, it encourages people to have the courage to take risks, the payoff of which could be greatly rewarding.

Line by Line Meaning

I live my life in chains
I feel trapped and restricted in my current situation

Got my hands in chains
I am unable to make decisions or take action on my own

And I can't sticks with the cards that I got
I am dissatisfied with the hand I have been dealt in life

With a deal like this
Given my circumstances

I must insist a girls got more to do
I reject the societal expectations of how a woman should behave

Then be the way you think a woman should
I refuse to conform to traditional gender roles

I'm taking it into my hands
I am taking control of my own life

In this mans land I can
Despite living in a male-dominated society

Understand why I'm taking command
I know why it is important for me to take charge of my own destiny

I've had enough of stuff
I am tired of being restricted and held back

And now it's time to think about
It's time for me to focus on

Me, me yeah
My own needs and aspirations

And you can easily gamble your life away
Life is unpredictable and can be risky

Second after second
It is a constant challenge

And day by day
Something we must face every day

You play the game or you walk away
We must make choices and take risks in life

It's a new turn on a blue day
Every day is a fresh opportunity

And a cool deal of life for me
Life is exciting and full of possibilities

And it's all good
I am optimistic about the future

I know that the spades
I understand the symbolism of playing cards

Are the swords of a soldier
Spades represent conflict and war

I know that the clubs
The same goes for clubs

Are weapons of war
They represent violence and aggression

I know that diamonds
Diamonds have a different meaning

Mean money for this art
They represent wealth and status

But that's not the shape of my heart
However, these symbols do not define who I am

I've always played it safe nothings ever safe
I have been cautious and risk-averse all my life

Give me the courage to back my own convictions
I am looking for the strength to trust my own beliefs

Every decision I make
Every choice I make

I pay it back and more
I take responsibility for my actions, whether positive or negative

Now turn the cards and let them fall to me
I am ready to take risks and see where life takes me

I don't need to play on with the hand that they have given me
I am not bound by the limitations of my circumstances

I give it back
I reject the hand I have been dealt

'Cause it's not the way it has to be
I am determined to create my own path in life

That's not the shape
Those symbols do not define me or my destiny

The shape of my heart
I am in control of my own heart and my own destiny

My heart
My innermost self

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave
Written by: CRAIGIE DODDS, HEIDI RANGE, DOMINIC JAMES MILLER, GORDON MATTHEW SUMNER, KENNETH DODDS, KEISHA KERREECE FAYEANNE BUCHANAN, MUTYA BUENA

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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Comments from YouTube:

@iluvgoat

15y↑3

Haven't heard this in YEARS. Love this song!!!

@BAREBACKER

16y↑2

great song. they had really grown up and come together vocally as a group when this was released. they all look stunning in this video. long live the sugababes!!

@LucidKundalini

16y↑1

One of the greatest videos ever made!!!

@dionmiddelweerd

16y↑1

I love love love the tune!

@HispanicImpression

15y↑1

wunderschöner Song... sooooo schön...

@MiszAsian89

14y↑2

still my fav song of the sugababes...

@ghostowl6169

16y↑1

The whole thing is beautiful, I love it

@thejamesroad

16y

awesome song.. w sugababes.. fan from italy

@myselfRuLzZ

16y↑1

the best song from SUGABABES,,,good work,,,the song is really beautiful...=)

@Amberlady1968

15y↑1

I just love this song x

@kathlayah

16y↑1

i love this song!! it makes me cry! but i love it :)

@wizardry95

16y↑1

such a lovely song

@michilua6212

25w↑1

2023 and still a banger

@unbad13

16y↑1

love these girls:) and the graphic is pretty as well:) best sugar babes MV ever!

@BAREBACKER

14y↑1

the latest line up can only dream of sounding like this.

@TheDevilHerslef

16y↑1

I so love this song,and the video one of the best! Love it a lot <3!

@ooooorda

15y

i love this video.... it´s so romantic and mysterious

@asodimazze

14y

Beautiful!!

@ind0nOnaa

15y↑1

love this song

@TheScreamless

16y

really great idea with the butterflies-dress. Lov tha song :X !

@MartynaKulakowska

16y↑1

I like this song! it's great :)

@kellybrown3026

1y↑1

I love this song

@sharilafofana1324

10w

Me Too.

@FirstBunnybunny

15y

I thin it makes no sense 2 discuss WHOSE fault it was cause we don't know, fact is one of the most talented & best girlband ever doesn't exist any more. I thin we are ALL sad now, so thank u sugababes for the wonderful songs (: ♥

@barlinianka

16y

i love this song...

@vegana13

14y

amazin song one of da only R&B, urban songz of Sugababez

@kellytotallysharpay

14y

best line up :)

@EriatarkaB

16y

i want a dress like that, too xP ahah this clip is just awesome, absolutly gorgeouss!! It's lovely. So as sting's music, of course

@heuetus

16y

The best sugababes vidi ever!!

@Nacht5

16y

I love it.

@rphillipart

16y

fave video i luv this song

@AlbertoSuarezJr

16y

Great song.

@turnuon79

16y

amazing song

@LadyxxxLove

15y

BEAUTIFUL *****

@Holztyp87

14y

einfach nur ein geiler song ! gut geCoverT

@kellybrown3026

1y↑1

That is my heart❤

@katrolinka89

15y

The original version of both this songs is Sting's "Shape of my heart" from 1993. "Shape" (Sugababes) and "Rise and fall" (Craig David & Sting) are just covers released at the same time.

@adinapa123

14y

שיר מדהים

@vincenzolongo83

15y

is beautiful...

@hugejoint

14y

Mutya, Heidi, Keisha - thats Sugababes what i like. Perfectly balanced about voices and 3 diferent types of look. I felt in love with Mutya, her voice is so .. aaaaah .. and shes hot as well ;)

@dissolvinghorizons

15y

Sting - Shape of my heart

@szila1123

16y

fajno śpiewacie dziewczyny zwłaszcza ten kawałek miło mnie nastraja polecam

@katyktk8y

15y

The guys at the end are fit. And the video is awesome in general. I miss Mutya but the SBs are still doing well with Amelle.

@kashmir041

14y

the video is amazing .

@annaknox295

15y

i didnt check all the songs, i just listened to like 4 songs and mutya always seems to start the song, like "shape" "round round" "too lost in you" "push the button" haha quite funny her singing is amazing, did u see how amazing she was singing in CBB lat nighgt WOW

@sariddra

14y

sting shape of my heart <3

@johnthechoochooaddict796

19w↑1

I still see your shadows in my room
Can't take back the love that I gave you
Its to the point where I love and I hate you
And I cannot change you so I must replace you

@TheMusicSpeakstoMe

16y

I wish they had released this in the US

@Schlumpf5408

16y

Suuuuuuuuper vor allen Dingen die Idee mit dem Schmetterlingskleid.....

@catburglar82

15y↑1

They covered the song pretty good.

@Kristasmile

1y↑1

2023 😍

@toastymc

15y

I think its about being genuine to yourself and not to be materialist in relationships, dont let a man take control of you and dont love just for money, but search for more. Hope this helps :)

@ipolson

15y

You really dont know anything do you ??? They wrote virtually every track on their first 4 albums. Their songs were so good that they were allowed, at age 15, to have their own songs on their first album !!! Sting loved this , by the way, which is why he was happy to give permission, he even wanted to record it with them (rather than sample) but his schedule didn't allow

@schlauefrucht

15y

my favorite

@darkfrankhs

16y

It's about materialistic & modern lifestyles, and how it's a bit sad that what life has come to... They want something else, more loving & moral.

@punkmetalrock

15y

i didnt even know this is sugababes....great song

@aDiosaDelAbismo

15y

Que bonita, y en especial la voz de la chica que canta a partir del 0:34

@GilraenLuinwe

15y

Hear hear. Keisha was the only original Sugababe and now she's gone. They've lost everything that made them good and their songs no longer stick out from anybody else's. These three, Keisha, Muyta and Heidi, were the best.

@BeautifulNative25

15y

This is such a neat sugababes video =o]

@Maialeen

14y

This was when the best lineup. It was downhill after this.

@UniqueLuv2oo8

16y

luv it soooo sooo much :))))) ++++

@sxcria83

15y

yes, was better when mutya was in the group. She has such a lovely voice. Lovely song!! :)

@04mancusos

15y

Sounds familiar to Craig Davids "Rise and Fall"... but this is better imo.

@Froshow

2y↑1

would love this video and like 4K.

@foreveremo425

14y

I'll admit Jade is a very strong vocalist but her being in the Sugababes really isn't doing any good for her talent, i mean any girl can stand there and sell her body... what kind of gift is that?

@adkrules24

15y

vids well done! such a gd song 2

@Ivanatis

15y

so good

@hiphopcar

16y

the best song

@1901elina

15y

wow now that you mention it definitely reminds me of sting.

@murkb82

14y

@Sashetkecable they were amazing...

@LadyxxxLove

15y

Yeah it IS SO BEAUZTIFUL!! (i agree :] )

@Sashetkecable

14y

@A92T Agree . Old Sugababes were the best

@TheHollandais

14y

this is so much better then how they are at this time

@johnpokerface

15y

brill song

@nieTwojZiombel

14y

start sample is awesome i know like 5 songs with it

@HellaRocksa

15y

nice cover

@andzialicious

15y

i agree too...

@anterodoce

15y

oh wath a beautiful voice,special the black one,she is pretty

@shadowofcourage

16y

agreed xx

@VanillaSugar1191

14y

@ComputerBeneden i'm pretty sure it was Sting, and it's his song called "Shape of My Heart"

@punkmetalrock

15y

thx^^ i was confused cause it doesnt even sound like sugababes

@foreveremo425

14y

i was 10 lol i feel old too :S

@bettyyy14

14y

@elizhousemixer not sure but its taken from "shape of my heart" by sting who sings rise and fall aswell :)

@04mancusos

15y

Oh okay thanks

@Multivits

15y

i totally agree.. its just not the same...

@katrolinka89

15y

that's why it sounds familiar to "Rise and fall"

@merrionbellydansoh

16y

they actually had pants and 'customised' bras on lol x

@LuizaMalendowska

14y

agree, MUTYA is the real sugababe!

@KTBEverlasting

14y

@8MinutesToSunrise I think it means they're going to not follow others and live their lives the way they want to and not stick to like, stereotypes or ideals. They're gonna b their own person.

@dusha254254

16y

1:12- he looks like a prince :)

@ipolson

15y

I dont think I said they had full control, they got a lot of help. Just that some people think they were like other girl bands but they weren't. Check out the writing credits on the albums/B Sides pre-2005. Wrote 99% of it (Freak, Shape some exceptions). I agree, need new album from Mutya !

@Sati1979

14y

Heidi looks like Jessica Taylor (who used to be in Liberty X) in this vid.

@EllYouSeeWhy

16y

agreed

@Ollzer

16y

Sounds just like Seremoniamestari - Viesti. And BTW Seremoniamestari's song is older.

@kamatej

16y

you mean who wrote the song and is the musical genius behind it? Gordon Sumner aka Sting from the Police. Check his version

@dancer101945

14y

amen to that! i feel as though the new girl is ruining their quality

@CiayraCA

14y

@ComputerBeneden try craig david ft sting- rise and fall, sounds similar too

@MoonGoesShiny

16y

Green. I think it's about not wasting your life like that. You have to use it wisely.

@Luusiej

16y

@dormi87 Can anyone tell me who the man singing in the chorus is? Yes, it's Sting. This song is a cover.

@solongsuicide9

15y

when the sugababes were gd, love mutya, their rubbish now as is mutya's solo

@ComputerBeneden

14y

The melody sounds so familiar , Ive heard it before but it was a guy singing it (he sounded like Sting) anyone knows more about it?

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