When a crowd is singing along with the last chorus after hearing the song for the first time, and Twitter lights up with those same lyrics in the days following a performance, you know it's a song that connects. With poignant yet sing-along-able lyrics and undeniable rock noir musical undertones, Spirits, the first single from The Strumbellas’ forthcoming album, embodies the essence of what has been attracting fans from across North America to this Lindsay, Ontario-bred band.
That journey has been a whirlwind since the release of the band’s 2012 debut album My Father And The Hunter. The Strumbellas' sound — haunting lyrics fused with infectious, danceable melodies — won them both fans and critical recognition. A year later, they followed up with We Still Move On Dance Floors, which earned the band six awards, including a JUNO and Sirius XM
Indie Award, as well as a spot on the Polaris Music Prize Long List. And of course, there’s been touring. Lots of touring.
In early 2015, the Strumbellas, off the road and ready to go into the studio again, set up shop at downtown Toronto’s Lincoln County Social Club to record the new album with LA Producer/Engineer, Dave Schiffman (Johnny Cash, Haim, Weezer). During three recording sessions during the first half of 2015, Schiffman and the band harnessed a vivid sound that was itchin’ to get out of them. Bigger. Bolder. Beckoning.
Shovels & Dirt
The Strumbellas Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I got a mouth full of rotten and a heart full of greed
Shovels and dirt, shovels and dirt
Well it ain't worth living if you don't get hurt
(Alright!)
Cowboy hats and crooked teeth
With a sick shooting pistol just out of my reach
Well it ain't worth living if you don't get hurt
I got a head full of darkness and darkness is good
'Cause if we all die young then we don't get hurt
Alright!
Well demons pull me side to side again
Yeah but I'm scared of sleeping, I hate my friends
Shovels and dirt, shovels and dirt
Well it ain't worth living if you don't get hurt
I got a head full of darkness and darkness is good
'Cause if we all die young then we don't get hurt
I got a head full of darkness and darkness is good
'Cause if we all die young then we don't get hurt
I put a banjo up into the sky
It keeps us moving, it keeps us moving
I put a banjo up into the sky
It keeps us moving, it keeps us moving
I put a banjo up into the sky
It keeps us moving, it keeps us moving
I put a banjo up into the sky
It keeps us moving, it keeps us moving
I put a banjo up into the sky
It keeps us moving, it keeps us moving
I put a banjo up into the sky
It keeps us moving, it keeps us moving
I put a banjo up into the sky
It keeps us moving, it keeps us moving
I put a banjo up into the sky
It keeps us moving, it keeps us moving
I put a banjo up into the sky
It keeps us moving, it keeps us moving
I put a banjo up into the sky
I got a head full of darkness and darkness is good
'Cause if we all die young then we don't get hurt
I got a head full of darkness and darkness is good
'Cause if we all die young then we don't get hurt
Mama never told 'em there's a devil in me
I got a sick shooting pistol and I'm ready to leave
The Strumbellas song "Shovels & Dirt" is about embracing darkness and pain in order to truly live. The song begins with the singer revealing that their mother never warned them about the "devil" that is within them. They have a mouth full of "rotten" and a heart full of greed, revealing their flawed and human nature. The repetition of "shovels and dirt" throughout the song signifies the idea of hard work and struggle being necessary for a fulfilling life. It's not worth living if you don't experience pain and hardship.
The second verse describes the singer as a "cowboy" with "crooked teeth" and a "sick shooting pistol" just out of reach, suggesting a sense of danger and recklessness. Despite their fear of sleeping and dislike of their friends, the singer embraces their darkness and the inevitability of death. The repetition of "alright" throughout the song suggests a certain level of acceptance and even celebration of this darkness and pain.
The banjo that the singer puts up into the sky at the end of the song could be symbolically representing the music, which keeps them moving and provides a sense of hope and escape from their struggles. Overall, "Shovels & Dirt" is a powerful reminder that pain and darkness are a necessary part of the human experience, and that embracing them can ultimately lead to a more fulfilling life.
Line by Line Meaning
Mama never told 'em there's a devil in me
The singer has dark tendencies that were never addressed by their mother
I got a mouth full of rotten and a heart full of greed
The singer is deeply flawed and selfish
Shovels and dirt, shovels and dirt
Working hard and facing hardships is necessary for a fulfilling life
Well it ain't worth living if you don't get hurt
Without experiencing pain and struggle, life has little meaning
Cowboy hats and crooked teeth
The artist is describing a rough and rugged lifestyle
With a sick shooting pistol just out of my reach
The singer has a weapon and is prepared to use it
I got a head full of darkness and darkness is good
The singer finds comfort in their negative thoughts
'Cause if we all die young then we don't get hurt
The artist would rather live a short but intense life rather than a long, uneventful one
Well demons pull me side to side again
The artist struggles with inner demons
Yeah but I'm scared of sleeping, I hate my friends
The artist is paranoid and mistrustful of those around them
I put a banjo up into the sky
Music brings joy and meaning to the singer's life
It keeps us moving, it keeps us moving
Music propels us forward and helps us overcome obstacles
I got a sick shooting pistol and I'm ready to leave
The singer is prepared to make a dramatic exit from life
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: David Ritter, Brian Pickett, Joanne Setterington, Isabel Ritchie, Jeremy Drury, Simon Ward, Darryl James
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@peterbrsel215
Mama never told 'em there's a devil in me
I got a mouth full of rotten and a heart full of greed
Shovels and dirt, shovels and dirt
Well it ain't worth living if you don't get hurt
(Alright!)
Cowboy hats and crooked teeth
With a sick shooting pistol just out of my reach
Shovels and dirt, shovels and dirt
Well it ain't worth living if you don't get hurt
I got a head full of darkness and darkness is good
'Cause if we all die young then we don't get hurt
Alright!
Well demons pull me side to side again
Yeah but I'm scared of sleeping, I hate my friends
Shovels and dirt, shovels and dirt
Well it ain't worth living if you don't get hurt
I got a head full of darkness and darkness is good
'Cause if we all die young then we don't get hurt
I got a head full of darkness and darkness is good
'Cause if we all die young then we don't get hurt
I put a banjo up into the sky
It keeps us moving, it keeps us moving
I put a banjo up into the sky
It keeps us moving, it keeps us moving
I put a banjo up into the sky
It keeps us moving, it keeps us moving
I put a banjo up into the sky
It keeps us moving, it keeps us moving
I put a banjo up into the sky
It keeps us moving, it keeps us moving
I put a banjo up into the sky
It keeps us moving, it keeps us moving
I put a banjo up into the sky
It keeps us moving, it keeps us moving
I put a banjo up into the sky
It keeps us moving, it keeps us moving
I put a banjo up into the sky
It keeps us moving, it keeps us moving
I put a banjo up into the sky
I got a head full of darkness and darkness is good
'Cause if we all die young then we don't get hurt
I got a head full of darkness and darkness is good
'Cause if we all die young then we don't get hurt
Mama never told 'em there's a devil in me
I got a sick shooting pistol and I'm ready to leave
@saby6228
The lyrics of this amazing song
Mama never told 'em there's a devil in me
I got a mouth full of rotten and a heart full of greed
Shovels and dirt, shovels and dirt
Well it ain't worth living if you don't get hurt
Alright!
Cowboy hats and crooked teeth
With a sick shooting pistol just out of my reach
Shovels and dirt, shovels and dirt
Well it ain't worth living if you don't get hurt
I got a head full of darkness and darkness is good
Cause if we all die young then we don't get hurt
Alright!
Well demons pull me side to side again
Yeah but I'm scared of sleeping, I hate my friends
Shovels and dirt, shovels and dirt
Well it ain't worth living if you don't get hurt
I got a head full of darkness and darkness is good
Cause if we all die young then we don't get hurt
I got a head full of darkness and darkness is good
Cause if we all die young then we don't get hurt
I put a banjo up into the sky
It keeps us moving, it keeps us moving
I put a banjo up into the sky
It keeps us moving, it keeps us moving
I put a banjo up into the sky
It keeps us moving, it keeps us moving
I put a banjo up into the sky
It keeps us moving, it keeps us moving
I put a banjo up into the sky
It keeps us moving, it keeps us moving
I put a banjo up into the sky
It keeps us moving, it keeps us moving
I put a banjo up into the sky
It keeps us moving, it keeps us moving
I put a banjo up into the sky
It keeps us moving, it keeps us moving
I put a banjo up into the sky
It keeps us moving, it keeps us moving
I put a banjo up into the sky
I got a head full of darkness and darkness is good
Cause if we all die young then we don't get hurt
I got a head full of darkness and darkness is good
Cause if we all die young then we don't get hurt
Mama never told 'em there's a devil in me
I got a sick shooting pistol and I'm ready to leave
@thefinalriot40days38
love this part
"I put a banjo up into the sky it keeps us moving, it keeps us moving"
@olfmombach260
Yeah, it has a nice crescendo.
@edidiongrebong
Best part of the song especially the crooning just before. It brings so much emotion (sadness, intensity) into the audioscape.
@Eurotrash4367
I agree. Banjos and clouds always make me sad.
@tips216
yeah bro this shit hurt it fits the rez a lot of death out that way
@nativerain4054
tips On the rez? Oh hell yeah.
@serenadegliangeli5803
I'm getting addicted to this band
@altair769
I can't stop listening to this these past 15 minutes. Been having a tough time and for whatever reason this feels like Balm for my Soul.
@zafirsheikh569
Keep moving forward it will get better.
@Owlyuhu
Same