The duo fittingly took the band name in order to maintain an English identity and take a small part of England back to America. "Shire" is the original term for what is usually now known as a county in the United Kingdom.
After playing hardly half a dozen shows together The Shires caught the attention of Decca Records who signed them in the UK and they secured a contract with American based record label Universal Music Group Nashville thus becoming the first ever UK country act to be signed to a major Nashville label.
Black and White
The Shires Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You were given two ears, so you hear it from both sides,
But you only got one heart, it only knows one way to love
And when you find the one, suddenly it will all add up.
When it's real love, you don't have to think twice,
When it's real love, there's no sacrifice.
You just let go 'cause you know, you've got it made for life.
You put a smile on my face, you always get me through,
You paint rainbows in the rain, there'd be no me without you.
I've only got one heart, I only know one way to love, ooh
And you're the one, you make everything add up, oh
When it's real love, you don't have to think twice,
When it's real love, there's no sacrifice.
You just let go 'cause you know, you've got it made for life.
There's no compromise, real love is black and white.
If it's real then it can't be broken,
All the words that you leave unspoken,
If it's real then you want for nothing,
Don't know why but there's just that something.
It's that look in your eyes and you just know
There's no try, there's no why, you just let go,
Just let go, just let go
When it's real love, you don't have to think twice,
When it's real love, there's no sacrifice.
You just let go 'cause you know, you've got it made for life.
There's no compromise...
There's no compromise, real love is black and white.
It's black and white.
The Shires's song Black and White is a love song about the certainty of true love. The song begins with the line "You were given two eyes, so you've got perspective", which symbolizes the importance of seeing things from both perspectives. The artist believes that when you look at a situation from all angles, you will be able to make a better judgment. The next line states "You were given two ears, so you hear it from both sides," which means that one should listen to what others have to say, but at the same time, they should not allow others' opinions to influence their decision about their partner. This line is followed by "But you only got one heart, it only knows one way to love," which implies that once you have found true love, your heart will only love in that one direction.
The lyrics go on to say, "When it's real love, you don't have to think twice, when it's real love, there's no sacrifice." These lines mean that when you have found true love, you don't need to question or doubt the relationship, and you do not have to give up anything. The chorus continues with "You just let go 'cause you know, you've got it made for life," which suggests that when you have found real love, you can then let go of doubts and uncertainties because you know that you have found the one.
Overall, Black and White is a lyrically beautiful and inspiring song about love that suggests that true love is unshakeable and requires no compromise.
Line by Line Meaning
You were given two eyes, so you've got perspective,
You were given the ability to see from different angles, to understand things better.
You were given two ears, so you hear it from both sides,
You were given the ability to listen to different opinions with an open mind.
But you only got one heart, it only knows one way to love
Your heart knows only to love with utmost strength and dedication.
And when you find the one, suddenly it will all add up.
When you find true love, everything falls into place and makes sense.
When it's real love, you don't have to think twice,
True love requires no second thought or contemplation.
When it's real love, there's no sacrifice.
You don't have to give up anything for genuine love.
You just let go 'cause you know, you've got it made for life.
You just embrace true love with both arms because you know it's for a lifetime.
There's no compromise, real love is black and white.
True love has no shades of grey or uncertainties; it's straightforward and clear.
You put a smile on my face, you always get me through,
You make me happy and give me the strength to go on.
You paint rainbows in the rain, there'd be no me without you.
You bring color and brightness to my life when things get tough.
If it's real then it can't be broken,
Genuine love can withstand any obstacle.
All the words that you leave unspoken,
True love needs no words; it's understood and felt.
If it's real then you want for nothing,
When you have true love, you don't crave anything else.
Don't know why but there's just that something.
You can't explain why you love them, but there's just something special.
It's that look in your eyes and you just know
You can see the depth of their love for you in their eyes.
There's no try, there's no why, you just let go,
Love is not something you force or analyze, you just embrace it.
Just let go, just let go
Just give in to the power of love and let it take over.
It's black and white.
Love is clear and simple when it's real.
Contributed by Thomas T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Jamie Allison
You both are FRIGGIN AWESOME!!!! Lovvveeeee this video and song and how you really get into the song
Veronika
This is what I call MUSIC!
Melissa Hague
I'd kill to see the guys live! I hope they come to Perth in Australia soon!
LOTIE
This is beautiful!! x
Jade Barrett
Love this song I'm dancing to it in a show I'm performing in soon !! Xx
Sara Noema
I really don't understand why you only have +1500 subscribers ... You are so talented, and you deserve more subscribers than other untalented people on youtube. I am from France and I love your music. LOVE xx
Sipho Siyaduba
what a talent
Yve Robinson
So enjoyed this band. Watched them at the Diamond Live Lounge Doncaster - wonderful. Buzzing.
Rebecca Hyndman
Love this video! Such a great song. Can't wait to see you guys in Glasgow on 10th April! Happy Valentine's Day! Xxx
Lisa Green
I LOVE EVERY SONG I HAVE HEARD FROM THEM,