Friction with the band's label, EMI, resulted in legal action and countersuing. Webb departed, and the band switched to Polydor for their final studio album, 1991's Laughing Stock, but split soon afterwards. Singer Mark Hollis released one solo album in 1998 before retiring from the music industry; he died in 2019. The band's founding bass player and drummer, Paul Webb and Lee Harris, played in several bands together; long-term collaborator Tim Friese-Greene continued in the business as a musician and producer.
Discography
The Party's Over (1982)
It's My Life (1984)
The Colour of Spring (1986)
Spirit of Eden (1988)
Laughing Stock (1991)
Such a Shame
Talk Talk Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A life on every face
And that's a change
'Til I'm finally left with an eight
Tell me to relax, I just stare
Maybe I don't know if I should change
A feeling that we share
It's a shame
(Such a shame)
Number me with rage, it's a shame
(Such a shame)
Number me in haste (such a shame)
This eagerness to change
It's a shame
The dice decide my fate
And that's a shame
In these trembling hands
My faith tells me to react, I don't care
Maybe it's unkind that I should change
A feeling that we share
It's a shame
(Such a shame)
Number me with rage, it's a shame
(Such a shame)
Number me in haste (such a shame)
This eagerness to change
Such a shame
Tell me to relax, I just stare
Maybe I don't know if I should change
A feeling that we share
It's a shame
(Such a shame)
Number me with rage, it's a shame
(Such a shame)
Number me in haste, it's a shame
(Such a shame)
Write it across my name
(Such a shame)
This eagerness to change
Such a shame
Talk Talk’s song “Such A Shame” explores the theme of escapism and the desire to change. The opening line “Such a shame to believe in escape” sets the tone for the song. The singer is trapped in a life that they want to escape and is surrounded by people who also want to leave their present situation. However, the attempt at escape is deemed as futile and a shame. This reflects a deep pessimism and a lack of hope in the current situation.
The singer questions whether they should change or not, indicating a sense of uncertainty and doubt. They are told to relax, but they are unable to let go of the feeling that they share with those around them. The repetition of the phrase “Such a shame” emphasizes the hopelessness and frustration that the singer feels. They are angry at their situation and are eager to change, but it seems impossible.
The bridge of the song introduces the idea of fate, with “the dice decide my fate” suggesting a sense of fatalism. The line “faith tells me to react, I don't care” is particularly interesting, as it implies a conflict between faith and indifference. This adds another layer to the song, as the singer’s struggle with their faith is subtly revealed. Overall, “Such A Shame” is a song that explores deep-seated frustration and a sense of hopelessness, while also hinting at a deeper spiritual conflict.
Line by Line Meaning
Such a shame to believe in escape
It's unfortunate to think that escaping one's life is a viable option.
A life on every face
Everyone has a unique life with their own set of problems to deal with.
And that's a change
But things can change.
'Til I'm finally left with an eight
The artist is on a journey and will only stop when they reach a dead end.
Tell me to relax, I just stare
When others tell me to calm down, I become even more frazzled and can't relax.
Maybe I don't know if I should change
I'm not sure if I should change or stay the same.
A feeling that we share
This feeling is something that many people can relate to.
It's a shame
It's unfortunate.
(Such a shame)
Number me with rage, it's a shame
I'm filled with anger and it's sad.
(Such a shame)
Number me in haste (such a shame)
This eagerness to change
I want to change so badly, but it's also a bad thing.
The dice decide my fate
And that's a shame
I feel like my fate is out of my control and that's unfortunate.
In these trembling hands
My faith tells me to react, I don't care
My hands are shaking and my faith tells me to do something, but I don't care.
(Such a shame)
Number me with rage, it's a shame
I'm filled with rage and it's unfortunate.
(Such a shame)
Number me in haste (such a shame)
This eagerness to change
It's a shame
Wanting to change so badly is a bad thing and it's unfortunate.
Tell me to relax, I just stare
When someone tells me to calm down, I become even more anxious and can't relax.
Maybe I don't know if I should change
I'm not sure if I should change or stay the same.
A feeling that we share
It's a shame
Many people experience this feeling and it's unfortunate.
(Such a shame)
Number me with rage, it's a shame
I'm filled with anger and that's unfortunate.
(Such a shame)
Number me in haste, it's a shame
Wanting to change so badly is sad.
(Such a shame)
Write it across my name
(Such a shame)
This eagerness to change
Having an intense desire to change is a bad thing and it's written all over me.
Such a shame
It's unfortunate.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Mark David Hollis
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@steedron3971
Lyrics :
Such a shame
to believe in escape.
'A life on every face'
But that's a change,
until I'm finally left with an '8'.
Tell me to relax - I just stare.
Maybe I don't know
if I should change
a feeling that we share.
It's a shame
(such a shame)
Number me with rage
It's a shame (such a shame)
Number me in haste (such a shame)
This eagerness to change
It's a shame
The dice decide my fate
that's a shame
In these trembling hands my faith
tells me to react
"I don't care"
Maybe it's unkind if I should change
a feeling that we share.
It's a shame
(such a shame)
Number me with rage
It's a shame (such a shame)
Number me in haste (such a shame)
This eagerness to change
Such a shame
Tell me to relax - I just stare.
Maybe I don't know
if I should change
a feeling that we share.
It's a shame
(such a shame)
Number me with rage
It's a shame (such a shame)
Number me in haste It's a shame (such a shame)
Write across my name (such a shame)
This eagerness to change
Such a shame
@nightblood9811
Lyrics:
Such a shame to believe in escape
A life on every face
And that's a change
'Til I'm finally left with an eight
Tell me to relax, I just stare
Maybe I don't know if I should change
A feeling that we share
It's a shame
Number me with rage
It's a shame
(Such a shame)
Number me in haste
(Such a shame)
This eagerness to change
It's a shame
The dice decide my fate
That's a shame
In these trembling hands
My faith tells me to react, I don't care
Maybe it's unkind that I should change
A feeling that we share
It's a shame
Number me with rage
It's a shame
(Such a shame)
Number me in haste
(Such a shame)
This eagerness to change
Such a shame
Tell me to relax, I just stare
Maybe I don't know if I should change
A feeling that we share
It's a shame
Number me with rage
It's a shame
(Such a shame)
Number me in haste
It's a shame
(Such a shame)
Write it across my name
(Such a shame)
This eagerness to change
Such a shame
@marioramus9681
This Video is 40 Years old, was shot in early 1984. RIP Mark Hollis, the Man with the unique Voice. Unforgotten Hero.
@fulgenjbatista4640
❤
@marcoberruti6071
❤❤❤🎉🎉🎉
@VaduzVaduz
Mientras escuches esta Muy buena Música el Artista vive, el no quiere silencio, el quiere solamente Música.
@fillo1971
❤
@elisapenasgallego6071
Esta fantastica canción se escuchaba mucho en año 1987un tema espectacular con los años sigue siendo un buen trma
@jcwitte2034
Today already 5 years... RIP Mark Hollis. Thanks for the music.
@kisbozot1
Nyugodjon békében 😢
@VaduzVaduz
El no quiere descansar el quiere disfrutar su Música con la gente que aprecian su Arte, el se ha convertido en energía.
@sergejkreutz
Не "РИП Марка Холлиса", а "РИП, Марк Холлис". РИП (R.I.P.) - это аббревиатура от Rest In Peace - Покойся с миром.