In 2017, they scored their first number 1 on the Official UK Albums Chart with Night & Day. Their first two albums, Meet The Vamps and Wake Up are both certified Gold in the UK. The Vamps have also launched their own record label, Steady Records, and they are working in partnership with EMI/Universal. The first act signed was American band The Tide.
In 2018, guitarist McVey participated in the eighteenth series of I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! and finished in fifth place. They have continuously toured worldwide since their debut in 2012, and they are the first band to headline London's O2 Arena five years in a row.
Shades On
The Vamps Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Like I'm rocking Barbados
All night
To get you out my mind now, baby
Taking my jeans off
But I'm keeping my shades on
All night (all night)
To keep you out my sight now, baby
And I'm looking like I just got laid
Got the sunshine on my face
Starting up a party
On the pavement like I just got paid
And it's alright
I got my shades on
Like I'm rocking Barbados
All night
And everybody thinks I'm high
Taking my jeans off
But I'm keeping my shades on
All night
And everybody's blind
'Cause I look so cool like this
And I feel so good like this
Got me feeling brand new like this
You know
'Cause I look so cool like this
And I feel so good like this
Got me feeling brand new like this
You know
Let's talk about that face
He got the big blue eyes and all that bass
Oh father, let me pray
'Cause I won't see another woman like this for a day
I'm like "Oh boy, look at that ass"
"Oh boy, look at that ass"
Get your eyes up to my face
'Cause I see right through your shades
I got my shades on
Like I'm rocking Barbados
All night
And everybody thinks I'm high
Taking my jeans off
But I'm keeping my shades on
All night
And everybody's blind
'Cause I look so cool like this
And I feel so good like this
Got me feeling brand new like this
You know
'Cause I look so cool like this
And I feel so good like this
Got me feeling brand new like this
You know
I oh I oh oh I oh oh I
I got my shades on
I got my shades on all night
I got my shades on
Like I'm rocking Barbados all night
And everybody thinks I'm high
Taking my jeans off
But I'm keeping my shades on all night
And everybody's blind
'Cause I look so cool like this
And I feel so good like this
Got me feeling brand new like this
You know
'Cause I look so cool like this
And I feel so good like this
Got me feeling brand new like this
You know
Uh-oh
The lyrics to The Vamps' song Shades On depict a person attempting to move on from a past relationship. The singer puts on their shades and takes off their jeans to appear carefree and confident, but this façade is to hide their heartbreak. They start a party on the street as if they just got paid, but it's all a cover-up to avoid thinking about their ex. The singer admits that they won't find anyone like their former partner for at least another day. The chorus repeats that the sunglass-wearing protagonist looks cool, feels good, and has a newfound confidence because of their shades.
The song depicts how people can mask their true emotions and put on a façade to hide their heartbreak. However, it is worth noting that sometimes people genuinely love wearing sunglasses, and it makes them feel good about themselves, too. The song's lyrics, coupled with an upbeat melody, make the song feel like a classic pop hit that anyone can dance along to.
Line by Line Meaning
I got my shades on
Wearing sunglasses to hide my feelings
Like I'm rocking Barbados
Feeling like I'm on a tropical vacation
All night
For an extended period of time
To get you out my mind now, baby
Trying to forget about someone
Taking my jeans off
Getting comfortable
But I'm keeping my shades on
Still hiding my true feelings
To keep you out my sight now, baby
Avoiding seeing the person I'm trying to forget
Picture perfect pictures
Creating an ideal image
And I'm looking like I just got laid
Appearing confident and attractive
Got the sunshine on my face
Feeling happy and carefree
Starting up a party
Having fun
On the pavement like I just got paid
Celebrating with friends
And it's alright
Everything is good
And everybody thinks I'm high
People assume I'm under the influence
'Cause I look so cool like this
Appearing confident
And I feel so good like this
Feeling happy and carefree
Got me feeling brand new like this
Feeling refreshed and renewed
Let's talk about that face
Commenting on someone's looks
He got the big blue eyes and all that bass
Describing someone's features
Oh father, let me pray
Expressing awe and admiration
'Cause I won't see another woman like this for a day
Feeling attraction to someone
I'm like "Oh boy, look at that ass"
Commenting on someone's physical features
Get your eyes up to my face
Challenging someone to look at me
'Cause I see right through your shades
Seeing past someone's façade
I oh I oh oh I oh oh I
Vocalizing
And everybody's blind
No one can see the real me
I got my shades on all night
Continuing to hide my true feelings
Lyrics © Sentric Music, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Bradley Simpson, Connor Ball, Daniel Shah, James McVey, Tristan Evants, Will Simms
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind