Shadow
The Murmurs Lyrics


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shadow, shadow
I sit in the corner stone cold by the nightmare
shadow, shadow
convict me for living the lie I was prone to
nothing but empty hearts, empty, empty smiles,
empty dreams, empty cries
I never knew, that isn't true
what was I thinking
running away, breaking your heart
was it all drinking
I'd seen enough lies, heared enough lies
what was I thinking
there, there

shadow, shadow


forgive me for letting youy down in this lifetime
shadow, shadow
but you let go long before my chance to save you
the could of's, the would of's
too late for answers
I need you now, I miss you now
I'll love you forever
there, there

baby, baby, baby
don't be scared, it's only me




smile, c'mon let me see you smile
there that's better

Overall Meaning

The Murmurs's song "Shadow" is a melancholic yet introspective ballad about accountability and remorse for past actions. The lyrics suggest that the singer has been living a lie and perhaps made mistakes that ultimately led to a loss or a separation from a loved one. The line "convict me for living the lie I was prone to" implies guilt and a desire for restructuring one's perspective or habits. The song alludes to the feeling of emptiness that comes with regret and the desire for forgiveness. The lines "nothing but empty hearts, empty, empty smiles, empty dreams, empty cries" indicate the absence of feeling or fulfillment in a life that was lived inauthentically.


The second verse mentions the concept of "what if" scenarios, suggesting that if the singer could go back in time, things might have turned out differently. The lines "forgive me for letting you down in this lifetime, but you let go long before my chance to save you" imply that the relationship or event in question has already come to an end and the singer was unable to reconcile or patch things up. The chorus repeats the word "there" twice, serving as a symbolic placeholder for a lost loved one or a better future.


Overall, the song is a poignant reflection on the intersections of guilt, regret, and hope. It touches on the human tendency to make mistakes, but also the desire to grow and change for the better.



Line by Line Meaning

shadow, shadow
Acknowledging the darkness and keeping it close.


I sit in the corner stone cold by the nightmare
Feeling trapped by the frightening reality of my situation.


convict me for living the lie I was prone to
Feeling guilty for living a false life that left me vulnerable.


nothing but empty hearts, empty, empty smiles,
Seeing only superficiality in others.


empty dreams, empty cries
Feeling lost and hopeless.


I never knew, that isn't true
Questioning my past decisions and regrets.


what was I thinking
Wondering about the motivation behind my choices.


running away, breaking your heart
Regretting the pain I caused through my actions.


was it all drinking
Questioning whether my drinking led to my mistakes.


I'd seen enough lies, heared enough lies
Feeling repeatedly hurt and betrayed by others.


there, there
Seeking comfort and assurance during a difficult time.


forgive me for letting you down in this lifetime
Apologizing for the ways in which I hurt others.


but you let go long before my chance to save you
Feeling guilty for not being there when someone I cared for needed me.


the could of's, the would of's
Regretting missed opportunities and wishing for a different outcome.


too late for answers
Feeling like it's too late to make things right.


I need you now, I miss you now
Expressing a desire for connection and intimacy.


I'll love you forever
Making a declaration of affection and loyalty.


baby, baby, baby
Trying to comfort and reassure someone through a difficult time.


don't be scared, it's only me
Trying to ease someone's fears and anxieties.


smile, c'mon let me see you smile
Encouraging someone to find joy and happiness amidst their struggles.


there that's better
Noticing the positive impact of my efforts to comfort and support someone.




Contributed by Kayla G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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