T… Read Full Bio ↴The Teen Idols were a pop punk band based in Nashville, Tennessee.
The band was formed in 1992 and quickly gained local popularity while playing at venues such as Lucy's Record Shop and receiving frequent airplay on Nashville college radio. During the mid-90s, they released several EPs under the local indie label, House O' Pain. In 1996, the Nashville Music Association nominated the band for their Independent Artist of the Year award. A year later, the Teen Idols released their first full-length album under the indie label Honest Don's Records.
They released two other albums under the Honest Don's label before signing to Fueled by Ramen in early 2003. Around that time, Keith left the band and Kevin (formerly of Detroit-based P.T.'s Revenge) took over the vocals. Shortly thereafter, the band released the album Nothing to Prove in July, 2003, but broke up during the subsequent tour. During their heyday, the Teen Idols headlined many tours in the U.S. and played support with other notable bands such as NOFX, Anti-Flag, Less Than Jake, and The Queers.
After the breakup of the Teen Idols, Heather, Matt Yonker, and Kevin joined forces with Geis and Gui from Rehasher and have toured and recorded as the band Bullets to Broadway. The band released one album, Drink Positive, and supported Lagwagon and Lawrence Arms on US legs as well as Less Than Jake on their 2006 European tour. Matt has gone on to play with The Queers, Ben Weasel, The Methadones and now owns Drastic Sounds Recording Studio in Nashville, TN. Phillip has done duty with many bands including The Queers, Screeching Weasel, and Even in Blackouts.
On December 26, 2008, the Teen Idols announced on their MySpace blog that they had decided to come out of retirement and would soon be making new records and playing shows again.
Teen Idols announced their new bassist, Jemima Kate from Ireland, and also in early 2009 announced a tentative agreement to sign with Fat Wreck Chords, but an official contract never materialized. Later that year, guitar player Phillip Hill was hospitalized with four broken ribs and a collapsed lung after trying to break up a fight. Because he lacked health insurance, an account was set up to help raise money for his medical bills. The band broke up again in June 2010.
Shadowman
Teen Idols Lyrics
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And guess the color of your underwear.
But you don't even notice me.
I think I need you hopelessly.
Sometimes when you're lost in thought,
I dream you think it's me you want.
But then I know I'm just a fool,
Someday soon I'll say hello and you will smile,
Then you'll know me for who I am.
We'll talk awhile, we'll talk awhile.
I am just your shadowman
But I'm doing the best I can.
Seems you just don't give a damn
About this lonely shadowman.
Please look back and know we can
Kiss and hold each other's hand.
Why can't you just understand
I'm better than a shadowman.
Touched you once as you passed by
Thinking of your other guy.
I raised my hand to touch your hair,
But you didn't even notice that I was standing there.
When I lie in bed at night
After turning out the light.
I wonder what you're doing now
And if you're keeping up your vows.
The lyrics of Teen Idols' song Shadowman are an expression of unrequited love and a teenage desire for the attention and affection of the person they admire. The singer sits and stares at their crush, hoping for her notice, and fantasizes about being the object of her thoughts. The lyrics reveal a sense of helplessness and self-doubt, as the singer realizes their social status is far below that of their crush. They hope to someday gather the courage to introduce themselves and talk to her, dreaming they will have something in common and eventually be seen as more than just a shadowman.
The chorus of the song repeats the persona's lament, as he remains an invisible shadowman, unnoticed and unappreciated. The singer fills the listener in on his innermost thoughts, how he touches her as she goes by, hoping to get her attention, and his longing for more. As the lights go out, he is left wondering, hoping she is okay, and that she is faithful to the vows they may have made or not. The song, overall, paints a picture of teenage crushes and the struggles that come with unrequited love, hoping for a chance to get noticed and appreciated.
Line by Line Meaning
Everyday I sit and stare
Each day, I sit and gaze upon you intently.
And guess the color of your underwear.
I ponder on what color undergarments you may be wearing.
But you don't even notice me.
Despite my fixation, you remain unaware of my existence.
I think I need you hopelessly.
I believe I am desperately in need of you.
Sometimes when you're lost in thought,
Occasionally, while you are deep in thought,
I dream you think it's me you want.
I envision you considering me as a desirable partner.
But then I know I'm just a fool,
Realistically, I am foolishly deluding myself.
'Cause you're the hottest girl in school.
As you are the most attractive girl in school.
Someday soon I'll say hello and you will smile,
One day in the near future, I will approach you and you will respond warmly.
Then you'll know me for who I am.
Subsequently, you will become familiar with my true identity.
We'll talk awhile, we'll talk awhile.
We will then engage in a conversation for some time.
I am just your shadowman
At present, I am simply a shadow, a mere presence in your life.
But I'm doing the best I can.
I am, however, doing everything in my ability.
Seems you just don't give a damn
It appears that you don't care at all.
About this lonely shadowman.
About this forlorn and isolated entity that is me.
Please look back and know we can
I implore you to turn back and realize that there is a possibility for us.
Kiss and hold each other's hand.
We could engage in a romantic embrace and share physical touch.
Why can't you just understand
I wonder why you cannot comprehend
I'm better than a shadowman.
That I am much more than just a mere shadow in your life.
Touched you once as you passed by
The other day, I lightly brushed against you as you walked by me.
Thinking of your other guy.
I thought of the other guy in your life.
I raised my hand to touch your hair,
In an attempt to touch your hair,
But you didn't even notice that I was standing there.
You did not even acknowledge my presence.
When I lie in bed at night
In the evening, when I lay in bed
After turning out the light.
Following the act of switching off the lights.
I wonder what you're doing now
I contemplate what you may be currently engaged in.
And if you're keeping up your vows.
If you are still maintaining your promises and commitments.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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