Have You Seen Your Mother Baby Standing in the Shadow?
The Rolling Stones Lyrics


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Have you seen your mother, baby, standing in the shadow?
Have you had another, baby, standing in the shadow?
I'm glad I opened your eyes
The have-nots would have tried to freeze you in ice

Have you seen your brother, baby, standing in the shadow?
Have you had another baby, standing in the shadow?
Well I was just passing the time
I'm all alone, won't you give all your sympathy to mine?

Tell me a story about how you adore me
Live through the shadow, see through the shadow,
Live through the shadow, tear at the shadow
Hate in the shadow, love in the shadow life

Have you seen your lover, baby, standing in the shadow?
Have they had another baby, standing in the shadow?
Where have you been all your life?
Talking about all the people who would try anything twice

Have you seen your mother, baby, standing in the shadow?
Has she had another baby, standing in the shadow?

You take your choice at this time
The brave old world or the slide to the depths of decline

Overall Meaning

The Rolling Stones's song "Have You Seen Your Mother Baby Standing In The Shadow" was released as a single in 1966. The song was written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, and it is one of their most complex and cryptic compositions. The song is a mix of dark lyrics and erotic energy that sets it apart from the rest of their music. The song's lyrics seem to revolve around the idea of living in the shadows, and the fear of being out in the open.


The first verse of the song asks if the listener has seen their mother or had another person standing in the shadow. The lyrics hint at something mysterious happening in the background. The second verse explores the isolation of the singer, who was just wasting his time, and is now alone seeking sympathy. The third verse is a bit more explicit, asking the lover if they have seen anyone standing in the shadow. The final verse presents a choice, whether to live in a brave old world or slide into the depths of decline.


The song presents a complex weaving of ideas that are hard to fully understand or explain. However, it is clear that the song is meant to stir up emotions and leave the listener with a haunting impression. The song's cryptic nature has contributed to its enduring appeal, and it continues to captivate fans decades after its release.


Line by Line Meaning

Have you seen your mother, baby, standing in the shadow?
Have you witnessed the parts of your mother that she keeps hidden from the public eye?


Have you had another, baby, standing in the shadow?
Have you ever experienced something or someone similar to your mother that remains hidden?


I'm glad I opened your eyes
I'm happy that I helped you see what was hidden from you before.


The have-nots would have tried to freeze you in ice
Those who have less would have tried to prevent you from seeing the hidden parts, because they fear losing what little they have.


Have you seen your brother, baby, standing in the shadow?
Have you witnessed parts of your brother that he keeps hidden from the public eye?


Have you had another baby, standing in the shadow?
Have you ever experienced something or someone similar to your brother that remains hidden?


Well I was just passing the time
I was just killing time without any real purpose.


I'm all alone, won't you give all your sympathy to mine?
I am completely alone, can you offer me your sympathy instead?


Tell me a story about how you adore me
Can you please share a story with me about how much you love and admire me?


Live through the shadow, see through the shadow, Live through the shadow, tear at the shadow, Hate in the shadow, love in the shadow life
Experience and learn from the hidden parts of life, acknowledge the unpleasant aspects and try to overcome them, find both hate and love in the hidden parts of life.


Have you seen your lover, baby, standing in the shadow?
Have you witnessed the parts of your lover that they keep hidden from the public eye?


Have they had another baby, standing in the shadow?
Have they ever experienced something or someone similar to what they hide from you?


Where have you been all your life?
What have you been doing all this time that you couldn't see the hidden parts of life?


Talking about all the people who would try anything twice
Discussing the type of people who repeat the same actions and expect different outcomes.


You take your choice at this time
It's your decision which path you want to take now.


The brave old world or the slide to the depths of decline
Choose between the path of the brave and the old, or the path of a slow descent into decline and destruction.




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Abkco Music Inc.
Written by: KEITH RICHARDS, MICK JAGGER

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@komsomoletz7238

Everything is genius but the bass line is, I have no words, just a storm of rhythm and sound, simply fabulous

@ErsatzMcGuffin

I've often wondered if it is Keith playing bass on this.

@michaelsacco4212

A perfect blend of punk, glam, psychedelic, and rock and roll! Legendary shit.

@Methilde

Specially the intro :)

@zachbos5108

Before any of those existed! (except rock n roll of course)

@jessewolf6806

Sept 10 1966, debut on Ed Sullivan!

@jessewolf6806

Led Zep should do their homework!

@carolynzaremba5469

@@jessewolf6806 I was a freshman in college.

8 More Replies...

@tracyjones6554

I just love the way Brian bursts out laughing right at the end of the clip,it's so good to see him enjoying himself

@DavidGarvinTechnophile

Love seeing Brian in this, the fashion icon of the 60s. He is the template

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