The band's original lineup was Louisa Rachel Solomon on bass and lead vocals, Elijah Oberman on violin and vocals, Temim Fruchter on drums and vocals , and Ian Brannigan on guitar. In December of 2009 Brannigan was replaced by new guitarist Fureigh.
My Dear One, The Shondes' follow-up to The Red Sea, was released on May 4th, 2010 by Fanatic Records. This was followed with an ep, also on Fanatic, called Lines & Hooks + 3 featuring the titular single (a track from My Dear One) and three previously unreleased songs. The band's third LP, Searchlights, was released on September 20, 2011 on Exotic Fever.
Searchlights
The Shondes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And if you found something as bright
And I wonder if you remember me right
You might, you might, you might
But I'm sure you've reduced me to a shadow
Haunting, but entirely peripheral
And I wonder if you remember at all
You might
Always shining - radiating heat
I'm always, I'm always
I've got to give up
What have I become in these 400 days without sun
I'd like to know why I can't stop the searchlights
Out across the empty sky
If only I surrendered more easily
Accepted the loss with some dignity
And I wonder if maybe that's a better way to be
Because I'm running out of energy
I'm always shining - code for you and me
Always shining - emerald green
I'm always, I'm always
I've got to give up
What have I become in these 400 days without sun
I'd like to know why I can't stop the searchlights
Where have you gone
I cannot break this vigil; I'm awake
The Shondes's song "Searchlights" is a reflection on the aftermath of a failed relationship. The lyrics present a tormented narrator who wonders if their former love still thinks of them. They feel reduced to a mere shadow, a haunting presence that is peripheral, barely remembered. The singer admits to always shining and radiating heat, which might mean they are still holding on to their love for this person, unable to let go even though they know they should. They candidly express their exhaustion with the searchlights that seem to illuminate the emptiness of the void left by their lost love. The singer concludes that perhaps accepting the loss with dignity might be a better way to be, as they are running out of energy.
The song is very emotive, and the lyrics can stir up an array of emotions in the listener. The use of metaphors such as "400 days without sun" and "searchlights in the sky" highlights the emotional agony of the singer. They seem to be going through a dark phase, and they feel vulnerable and exposed to the world with their emotions laid bare. The song is also a reminder that sometimes we hold on to things that are not good for us, and we need to accept the loss with grace and move on.
Line by Line Meaning
I wonder if you're warm tonight
I wonder if you're feeling comfortable tonight, physically or emotionally.
And if you found something as bright
I wonder if you've found someone or something else that matches the intensity of our connection.
And I wonder if you remember me right
I wonder if you remember me accurately, the way I remember you.
But I'm sure you've reduced me to a shadow
I'm sure you've minimized my importance, making me a lesser version of myself—just a shadow of the person you once knew.
Haunting, but entirely peripheral
I may still linger in your thoughts, but I am no longer a significant part of your life.
And I wonder if you remember at all
I wonder if you even recall our relationship, if it meant as much to you as it did to me.
I'm always shining - I should know better than to keep
I'm always drawing attention, but I should realize that it's not healthy to keep doing so.
Always shining - radiating heat
I'm always emitting a warm energy, but sometimes it can be too intense for others to handle.
I've got to give up
I need to let go of my attachment to you and move on.
What have I become in these 400 days without sun
I wonder how I've changed during this extended period of loneliness and sadness.
I'd like to know why I can't stop the searchlights
I'm unsure why I'm fixated on finding love or attention, even if it's not good for me.
Where have you gone
I'm wondering where you are and why we've grown apart.
I cannot break this vigil; I'm awake
I can't stop monitoring my surroundings or my own thoughts, and I'm unable to relax and let go of my burdens.
Contributed by Sydney K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.