SHADOW
THE PORTUGAL JAPAN Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Everybody knows
There's booby trap
To be in love with the guy who lives in the childhood
I don't wanna choose way with a gun

Feelin' high
When he combs down my hair
Always cry
Deeply sigh
Never can decide

Oh, how cruel fact is
No one can stop him
To steal my heart
Oh, how rude smile is
It's not for me but my shadow

My heart, truly sad
Sadder than sad
He's in love with my shadow




If I can't take off his hand
Should I choose way with a gun?

Overall Meaning

The song "Shadow" by the Japanese-Portuguese musical duo The Portugal Japan is a melancholic ballad exploring the complex emotions of unrequited love. The lyrics portray the singer's deep longing for someone who is unattainable, someone who lives in her childhood and is now out of reach. The singer is acutely aware of the dangers inherent in such a situation, likening it to a "booby trap." She finds herself unable to make a decision and oscillates between euphoria and despair, deeply sighing and forever crying.


The central theme of the song is the singer's inability to let go of the object of her affection, even though he is not interested in her but in her shadow. She sees the futility of her love, the cruel fact that no one can stop him from stealing her heart. The smile he gives is a rude one, not meant for her, but for her shadow. The song ends with the singer contemplating a drastic measure - whether she should choose a way out with a gun or not. This implies that she is stuck in her unrequited love and doesn't see a way out other than her death.


Overall, the lyrics of "Shadow" are pensive, thought-provoking, and emotionally charged. Through the imagery of shadows and guns, the singer explores the darker side of love and its consequences.


Line by Line Meaning

Everybody knows
It's common knowledge


There's booby trap
There's danger and risk


To be in love with the guy who lives in the childhood
To be in love with someone who refuses to grow up and move on


I don't wanna choose way with a gun
I don't want to resort to violent solutions


Feelin' high
Feeling elated


When he combs down my hair
When he shows affection and cares for me


Always cry
Feeling overwhelmed with emotions


Deeply sigh
Feeling resigned and hopeless


Never can decide
Unable to make a clear decision


Oh, how cruel fact is
The harsh reality


No one can stop him
He cannot be stopped


To steal my heart
To win my love


Oh, how rude smile is
The disingenuous smile


It's not for me but my shadow
The smile belongs to an illusion or a version of me that is not real


My heart, truly sad
Being genuinely upset and heartbroken


Sadder than sad
Feeling extremely sad


He's in love with my shadow
He loves the version of me that is not real


If I can't take off his hand
If I cannot make him let go of me


Should I choose way with a gun?
Should I resort to violence?




Contributed by Joseph B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Susu Koleva

Me encanta este grupo

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