Theory of a Deadman (or Theory for short) is a rock band from North Delta, … Read Full Bio ↴Theory of a Deadman (or Theory for short) is a rock band from North Delta, British Columbia, Canada, formed in 2001, signed by Nickelback vocalist Chad Kroeger to 604 Records, after lead singer Tyler Connolly gave Kroeger a demo tape. The band also includes traits of other music styles, such as country, metal and more acoustic elements. Theory has released six studio albums and three #1 hits on the Mainstream Rock Chart. The band scored the entire soundtrack for the video game, "Indigo Prophecy" / "Fahrenheit".

Theory of a Deadman's fourth studio album, The Truth Is.. was released on July 12, 2011. The Truth Is... (I Lied About Everything) Songfacts reports it was inspired by the divorce that Tyler Connolly went through in 2010.

Current bandmembers:
Tyler Connolly – lead vocals, lead guitar (2001–present)
Dave Brenner – rhythm guitar (2001–present)
Dean Back – bass (2001–present)
Joey Dandeneau – drums (2009–present)

Former members
Tim Hart – drums (2001–2004)
Brent Fitz – drums (2004–2007)
Robin Diaz – drums (2007–2009)

Discography
Theory of a Deadman (2002)
Gasoline (2005)
Scars & Souvenirs (2008)
The Truth Is.. (2011)
Savages (2014)
Wake Up Call (2017)
Say Nothing (2020)

Shadow
Theory of a Deadman Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Shadow

Please take my body
Take my state o' mind
Fool me with a cheap surprise
Gets me every time
Please take a second to wash away the pride
Don?t even leave me with an emptiness inside

I am nothin'

Under the ocean lies my bitterness
(Lies my bitterness)
Sea of desperation leaves no evidence
(Leaves no evidence)
Give me the bottle
Filled with turpentine
(Filled with turpentine)
Take me from this hell I have
And leave this world behind

I am nothin'

See me fade away
Watch me disappear
Lost without a trace
I?m everything I fear
Can anyone find a way
To help me
'Cause I'm nothing but a shadow

I feel so wounded
Kick me when I'm down
I search the dirt below
And look at what I found

I, I am nothin'

See me fade away
Watch me disappear
Lost without a trace
I'm everything I fear
Can anyone find a way
To help me
'Cause I'm nothin' but a shadow
'Cause I'm nothin' but a shadow
I
I

I
I

Overall Meaning

In the song Shadow by Theory of a Deadman, the singer addresses a plea to someone or something to take away their body and state of mind while acknowledging the fact that they continually fall for cheap surprises. The singer begs for a release from the emptiness they feel inside, claiming they are nothing. The metaphorical ocean of desperation that they reside in does not provide any evidence, leaving the singer feeling lost and hopeless. They ask to be taken out of their current hell and left behind in another world.

The lyrics of the song convey a sense of desperation and hopelessness. It appears as though the singer is suffering from a sense of meaninglessness and lack of purpose, as reflected in the lines stating "I am nothing" and "Lost without a trace, I'm everything I fear." The repeated pleading for someone or something to take the singer away from this situation emphasizes their helplessness and craving for escape.

Line by Line Meaning

Please take my body
I am asking someone to take control of my physical self.

Take my state o' mind
I am giving up my mental state to someone else.

Fool me with a cheap surprise
I am easily deceived by simple tricks.

Gets me every time
I repeatedly fall for the same trick.

Please take a second to wash away the pride
I am pleading for someone to help me get rid of my ego.

Don?t even leave me with an emptiness inside
I don't want to be left feeling empty and alone.

Under the ocean lies my bitterness
My negative feelings are hidden deep inside of me.

(Lies my bitterness)
These feelings continue to cause me pain and suffering.

Sea of desperation leaves no evidence
My desperation is not obvious to others and is internal.

(Leaves no evidence)
My struggles are invisible to those around me.

Give me the bottle
I am reaching for a bottle of alcohol or other substance.

Filled with turpentine
I want something strong and toxic to help me forget my pain.

(Filled with turpentine)
This is a dangerous and harmful option.

Take me from this hell I have
I want to escape from my current situation.

And leave this world behind
I want to leave everything behind and start fresh.

See me fade away
I feel like I am disappearing.

Watch me disappear
I am becoming less and less visible in the world.

Lost without a trace
I am completely lost and cannot be found.

I?m everything I fear
I have become everything I am afraid of.

Can anyone find a way / To help me
I am reaching out for help from anyone who can offer it.

'Cause I'm nothing but a shadow
I feel like I am just a mere shadow of my former self.

I feel so wounded
I feel hurt and damaged.

Kick me when I'm down
I feel like people are taking advantage of my weakness.

I search the dirt below / And look at what I found
I am searching for something, and I have found something negative.

I, I am nothin'
I feel worthless and empty.

I
The repeated 'I' suggests how self-centered I am feeling in this song.

I
The repetition of 'I' implies how alone and isolated I feel in this song.

I
The repetition of 'I' highlights how my identity is being questioned in this song.

I
The repetition of 'I' emphasizes how much I feel lost and unsure of myself in this song.

Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DAVID BRENNER, DAVID J. BRENNER, DEAN BACK, DEAN HENNING BACK, TYLER CONNOLLY, TYLER PATRICK CONNOLLY

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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