Supertouch started in 1985 out of the ashes of New York hardcore band Death… Read Full Bio ↴Supertouch started in 1985 out of the ashes of New York hardcore band Death Before Dishonor, which featured a young Mike Judge on drums. They released a demo but no actual records. Supertouch, named after a Bad Brains song, had a different drummer than DBD, since Mike went on to Youth of Today and later, Judge, but it still had the Yu brothers on strings and of course Mark Ryan on vocals. Ryan had been into New York hardcore since about 1982 and was probably the first b-boy in hardcore, along with Eddie Sutton of Leeway, making him cooler than everyone. Keep in mind this was in New York City in the 1980s so chances are they were the first in the world.

If you were at a Supertouch show in '89 you'd see Adidas Ewings, flannel Stussy gear and probably Starter elbow pads on Ryan, and maybe a tie-dyed GB shirt or something. So cool. Anyways Supertouch was a great band, with songs on "NYC HC: The Way It Is" and the Anti-Matter comp, respectively, as bookends to their 7" and their LP, "The Earth is Flat." The LP was definitely ahead of its time, it's got groove like sick, so sincere and challenging, starting off with the words "I've been drinking all night," keep in mind they had a predominantly straight edge audience. Mark Ryan was NOT straight edge. Anyways they broke up sometime in the '90s before their second LP was recorded. Word was Mark Ryan became a porn star, which is probably true, but now he's in another band, Steady Roosevelt, who are decent but no Supertouch. In conclusion, Mark Ryan is the man, Unwritten Law suck and Mark Ryan is the man.

Shame
Supertouch Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Still movin' slow, say I'm getting by
But I dont believe that I try
Shame
Feeling in my heart I try to bring it to my head
But I stop it halfway instead
I dont change for the better, I let things run their course (I think it's just a phase)
Now is the time to inspire...
This brand new day should not be the same

Nothing new is in my sight cause I hide myseld
From life chained to these thoughts which I never really bought
Which keep me in the dark, wont let me get my start
It's easier to watch a dream when I am in my sleep
Then to pay for it, work on it
I wait for things to come to me, but I get nothing
And now I see that my hands, they're empty

And I have everything in front of me...
As far as the eye can see

Overall Meaning

The song "Shame" by Supertouch is a reflection on the singer's lack of progress in life, despite knowing that they need to make a change. The lyrics suggest that the singer is aware of their shortcomings but is not taking active steps to make things better. They are stuck in a mental rut, feeling chained to negative thoughts that are holding them back from achieving their dreams. The singer acknowledges that they are letting life pass them by by not taking action, procrastinating and waiting for opportunities to come to them rather than actively pursuing them. The lyrics convey a sense of regret and shame, as the singer realizes that they have all the tools they need to succeed, but are not using them effectively.

The repetitive chorus of "Shame" highlights the frustration and disappointment that the singer feels towards themselves, for not making changes earlier. The lyrics suggest that the singer is ready to make a change and take control of their life, to stop living in a state of shame and start living a fulfilling life. The song encourages listeners to take action and not fall into the trap of procrastination and regret.

Line by Line Meaning

Still movin' slow, say I'm getting by
Despite my sluggish pace, others might think I'm surviving

But I don't believe that I try
I doubt my attempt at living fully

Shame
I feel guilty for not being more ambitious

Feeling in my heart I try to bring it to my head
I attempt to reconcile my emotions with my logic

But I stop it halfway instead
However, I give up halfway through

I don't change for the better, I let things run their course (I think it's just a phase)
I refrain from bettering myself, dismissing it as a short-lived problem

Now is the time to inspire...
I must take action and motivate myself

This brand new day should not be the same
I must make today different than the rest

Nothing new is in my sight cause I hide myself
My lack of progress is due to my avoidance of new experiences

From life, chained to these thoughts which I never really bought
I am held back by my own negative mindset and beliefs

Which keep me in the dark, won't let me get my start
These thoughts prevent me from making progress

It's easier to watch a dream when I am in my sleep
I would rather fantasize than work towards my goals

Then to pay for it, work on it
I avoid the effort of actualizing my aspirations

I wait for things to come to me, but I get nothing
I rely on luck, but don't receive any opportunities

And now I see that my hands, they're empty
I realize that I have nothing to show for my inaction

And I have everything in front of me...
I possess the potential for a better life

As far as the eye can see
There is a vast expanse of opportunity and possibility

Contributed by Chloe S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.