The Shadow
Toothgrinder Lyrics

The shadow follows me, follows me
The singer is being haunted by a dark, ominous presence that seems to follow them everywhere they go.

Haunting, evil, dread
This shadow is a terrifying, malevolent force that fills the singer with fear and anxiety.

It's like a breathing lobotomy
The shadow is so overpowering that it feels like it's literally removing the singer's ability to think or reason.

Turning blue to red
The shadow is changing everything about the singer's world - even down to the colors they perceive - in a dangerous and destructive way.

Not a hymn or rhyme
The shadow isn't something that can be explained away or soothed with comforting words or music.

It's a bastard screaming suicide
The shadow is a voice in the singer's mind that seems to be urging them towards self-destruction, and won't be silenced.

You wanted sight for the blind?
The singer is challenging someone who wanted to put a positive spin on the shadow or offer an easy solution.

We'll start high, aim small, intuition arise
Instead of looking for an immediate solution, the singer suggests they start by developing their intuition and working up from there.

You want to live for the ride?
The singer is questioning the motives of the person they're addressing, wondering if they're just looking to enjoy themselves without facing real problems.

We'll hop aboard the carousel
The singer is offering an alternative - they can try to deal with the shadow, but it will be a long and difficult journey with many ups and downs.

And let your ego subside
To take on this journey, the person will need to let go of their pride and be willing to face uncomfortable truths about themselves.

We're gonna tame our shadow
The singer is confident that they can deal with the shadow by confronting it and bringing it under control.

It's an eye for an eye
The shadow may be powerful, but the singer is ready to face it head-on and fight back with equal force.

You know the pretty blown out voice
The singer is referencing someone else who has dealt with a similar shadow and overcome it.

Using sin to get by
This other person had to use less-than-moral means to beat the shadow, but the singer thinks they can do better.

And I can almost taste the sweat
The singer is vividly describing a moment of intense physical and emotional confrontation with the shadow.

On the back of your neck
The singer is so close to the shadow and so aware of its presence that they can feel it physically on their body.

His tongue is clinging to your chest
The shadow is represented here as a separate entity that is trying to penetrate the singer's body and take it over completely.

In carnivorous jest
This is a darkly humorous way of describing the shadow's savage, cruel attempts to dominate and destroy the singer.

Hey you!
The singer is addressing someone directly again, this time someone who seems to be struggling with their own shadow.

Standing over there
The person being addressed is physically separate from the singer.

With a gaze to your toes
The person is looking downward, possibly feeling defeated or ashamed.

You know
The singer thinks the person understands exactly what they're going through - the shadow is a universal experience.

The crutch is in your hand
The person is holding on to something that they think will help them deal with the shadow, but it's not necessarily effective or useful.

Makes its way to your nose
The thing the person is holding is actually having a negative effect, perhaps leading them towards addiction or unhealthy coping mechanisms.

I know
The singer has been through a similar experience and can empathize with the person's struggle.

The pretty littles that get lost in the void
The singer is describing how innocent or beautiful things (like memories or ideals) can be consumed and destroyed by the shadow.

The shattered symbolism of a god fearing boy
The singer is referencing a religious upbringing or identity that has been undermined or destroyed by the shadow.

The roots, they lay
The singer is saying that the shadow has its origins in deep, dark parts of the person's psyche or history.

Your hell to the bowels of Seth are fate
This is a cryptic, poetic way of saying that the person's shadow goes all the way back to ancient mythology and is a fundamental part of them.

So bend the light
The singer is suggesting that the person can fight the shadow by changing their perspective, reframing the way they see themselves and their life.

You'll see it's over
If the person can successfully confront their shadow, they'll ultimately overcome it and find peace.