Shattered
The Exploding Hearts Lyrics
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And I know I've had you under my wheels for so long
Now you're moving on
You know I've been losing and someone stole my car
Well, I've been eating out of spray-painted garbage cans
And sleeping at the bar
You left me shattered, baby, oh yeah
As soon as I fall down and die
You know that they're gonna see
You put the gypsy switch on me
I walked through the rain until I found the spot
There was mud on the dance floor from the parking lot
The room was shaking and my baby was stripping down
I guess this time, well it's just my loss
She had the Union Jack's pole and her dollar toss
No more kissing your lips
I hate you bitch
You left me stranded, oh yeah
You left me shattered, baby, oh yeah
As soon as I fall down and die
You know that they're gonna see
You put the gypsy switch on me
You left me stranded
Ohh, stranded...
I would go back
If I didn't feel so alone
You know that I'm down on my own
I ain't coming home
You said it was hard
And I know I've had you under my wheels for so long
Now you're moving on
You left me stranded, oh yeah
You left me shattered, baby, oh yeah
As soon as I fall down and die
You know that they're gonna see
You put the gypsy switch on me
I'm a loser, baby
I'm a loser, baby
I'm a loser, baby, baby, baby
The Exploding Hearts' "Shattered" is a song about heartbreak and the aftermath of a failing relationship. The lyrics describe a man who has been left behind by his lover, who has moved on and left him alone to deal with his broken heart. The singer expresses his pain, revealing that he has been reduced to living out of garbage cans, sleeping at the bar, and walking in the rain to find a place to belong. He is devastated by his ex's abandonment and feels that she has put the gypsy switch on him - an expression that suggests that she has used some kind of trick to take advantage of him.
The singer's emotional turmoil is palpable in the song's chorus, where he repeatedly laments being left stranded and shattered. He alternates between despair and anger, feeling the loss of his love deeply but also wishing ill upon the woman who left him. The final verse takes a different direction, describing a scene at a strip club where the singer's ex is apparently performing. He is saddened and disgusted by what he sees, realizing that she has moved on with her life while he is still stuck in the past.
Overall, "Shattered" is a raw and powerful exploration of heartache and the struggle to move on after a relationship falls apart.
Line by Line Meaning
You said it was hard
You told me that leaving you would be difficult
And I know I've had you under my wheels for so long
I've been dominating you and making you feel like you're beneath me for a long time
Now you're moving on
You're leaving me behind and moving on with your life
You know I've been losing and someone stole my car
I've been struggling and dealing with loss, including having my car stolen
Well, I've been eating out of spray-painted garbage cans
I've been so down on my luck that I've resorted to eating out of dirty trash cans
And sleeping at the bar
I've been homeless and sleeping at the bar
You left me stranded, oh yeah
You abandoned me when I needed you
You left me shattered, baby, oh yeah
You broke me and left me feeling completely destroyed
As soon as I fall down and die
When I hit rock bottom and die
You know that they're gonna see
Everyone will know that you were the one who caused my downfall
You put the gypsy switch on me
You tricked me and caused harm to me, like a gypsy curse
I walked through the rain until I found the spot
I wandered through bad times until I reached my destination
There was mud on the dance floor from the parking lot
The place was dirty and failing, with mud on the dance floor from a messy parking lot
The room was shaking and my baby was stripping down
The room was full of chaos and my love interest was stripping
I guess this time, well it's just my loss
I lost out this time
She had the Union Jack's pole and her dollar toss
She was using a British flag pole for dancing and money-throwing
No more kissing your lips
I am done with you and no longer want to be affectionate with you
I hate you bitch
I have strong negative feelings towards you
I'm a loser, baby
I am a failure
I'm a loser, baby, baby, baby
I am a complete and utter loser
Ohh, stranded...
I am feeling abandoned and helpless
I would go back
I would return to you
If I didn't feel so alone
If I didn't feel so isolated and abandoned
You know that I'm down on my own
You know that I am struggling on my own
I ain't coming home
I am not returning home
Writer(s): king louie bankston, terry six, adam cox, matt fitzgerald, jeremy gage
Contributed by Kaelyn K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@briansakurada2823
I promised Adam the night before they left on their final trip from Portland that I would go to their show they were supposed to play the night before they died. That was almost 20 years ago now, but I still remember it like it was yesterday. You will always live on in your music. You guys kicked ass. Miss you Adam, wish we could go skateboarding again someday.
@Forklifter87
Thank you for sharing your story, they were one of the greatest bands of all time truly.
@nathanoman1
Great Portland band for sure. RIP
@batcaveloner1383
RIP Adam, Jeremy, Matt, and Louie. The Exploding Hearts are a punk rock legend…
@violentjsgurl
I just found these guys today by accident and read the story. How sad. :(
@fixed4816
We had a dubbed copy of this in Arkansas in 03 or 04. That tape was worn the hell out. Finally got the record when it was repressed and my dog ate it. Literally. At least she had good taste!
@jason1jena
Hard to believe music so beautiful could exist without everybody knowing about it.
@LeslieDugger
They almost made it! I’m old.. I remember the news when they died. So sad. We sort of thought they were the ones!
@joedent3323
This is brilliant. It fulfills the broken-promise of The Replacements.
Really cool.
Thanks to the band; and thanks to the poster 😊
Cheers Everybody
"LiL'JpD."
@briankelly6619
to have a band this cool in the 2000's, wow. and to end so tragically, it's hard to describe my feelings. they have that vintage punk sound so many bands attempt but also put a modern twist on their music and have a creative songwriting and musical style. what a loss. who knows what they could have been today.
rip exploding hearts what a great band, both LPs are awesome