Love in the Shadows
The Magnetic Fields Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

The woman with no nose
I know where she goes
The old guy with the gold eye
We go back, he & I
Don't smile
We don't do that here baby

Love in the Shadows
Was never hard to find
Sometimes the moonglow
Plays tricks on your mind
Love in The Shadows is the only kind

The whispers you hear
Are not sweet nothings
Let's have one more beer
And I'll tell you something
Don't laugh
I think you're beautiful

Love In the Shadows
Was never hard to find
Sometimes the moonglow




Plays tricks on your mind
Love in the Shadows is the only kind

Overall Meaning

The Magnetic Fields' Love in the Shadows is a haunting song that touches upon themes of love, loneliness, and the human need for companionship. The lyrics paint a picture of a surreal and shadowy world, where people with idiosyncrasies like a woman with no nose or an old man with a golden eye, find acceptance, and solace in each other's company. The song captures the essence of the search for love and connection, with its opening line, "The woman with no nose, I know where she goes," speaking volumes about the longing for companionship.


The chorus of Love in the Shadows emphasizes that love can be found even in dark corners and obscure places. The lyrics suggest that people often fool themselves into believing that love can only be found in the light, but love can also be found in the shadows. Nick Cave once commented that "behind every beautiful thing, there's been some kind of pain," and this sentiment is echoed in Love in the Shadows. The song seems to say that in the shadows of the world, where pain and suffering reside, love can be the light that illuminates the darkness.


Love in the Shadows stands out for being a timeless song that speaks to the human experience of love and relationships. It's a testament to the enduring quality of The Magnetic Fields' music that Love in the Shadows still resonates with fans despite being over three decades old. For those looking for love and companionship in unusual and unlikely places, the song offers hope and reassurance that even in the shadows, love can be found.


Line by Line Meaning

The woman with no nose
I am familiar with a woman who has no nose


I know where she goes
I am aware of where she typically travels to


The old guy with the gold eye
I am acquainted with an elderly man who has a golden eye


We go back, he & I
We have a history and know each other well


Don't smile
It's not customary to express happiness or joy in this place


We don't do that here baby
In this setting, demonstrating happiness is frowned upon


Love in the Shadows
Hidden or secret love


Was never hard to find
It's easy to find love in secret places


Sometimes the moonglow
At times, the moon's light can be deceiving


Plays tricks on your mind
It can cause you to see things that aren't really there


Love in The Shadows is the only kind
Love that is hidden or kept secret is the type that can be found here


The whispers you hear
The things you overhear others saying


Are not sweet nothings
They are not endearing or thoughtful remarks


Let's have one more beer
Let's share another drink


And I'll tell you something
And I will share something important with you


Don't laugh
This is serious, do not make light of it


I think you're beautiful
I believe you are attractive




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS

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