Tori Sparks relocated from Nashville to Barcelona, Spain in 2011, but she s… Read Full Bio ↴Tori Sparks relocated from Nashville to Barcelona, Spain in 2011, but she spends most of her time on the road all over the world. She has released four critically-acclaimed albums under the auspices of her own record label (Glass Mountain Records). She books and plays an average of 200 concerts each year, including the world-famous Montreux Jazz Festival, Los Conciertos de Radio 3, Woodsongs Old-Time Radio Hour, and many more.

Tori Sparks' fourth album, Until Morning/Come out of the Dark, marks her third musical collaboration with producer David Henry (R.E.M., Josh Rouse, The Cowboy Junkies, Widespread Panic), and her first with Roger Moutenot (Yo La Tengo, Elvis Costello, Velvet Underground, Gypsy Kings, Rosanne Cash). The recordings feature a cast of world-class musicians, as well as special guest vocalists including Shawn Mullins and Mike Farris.

Tori has been interviewed and featured by television and radio stations, magazine, newspapers, and blogs across the globe, such as the Los Angeles Times, NPR, the Village Voice, Starpolish, CMJ.com, Rock In Spain, and Paste magazine. All Music Guide gives her five stars. She is known as a champion of the DIY business model, and regularly speaks on similar topics at universities, performing arts schools, and music conferences festivals (SXSW, the International Folk Alliance, WOMEX).

Tori is also known for actively trying to give back to the community through music. She is the creator of The Feed Your Soul Guitar Project, a tour and folk art auction benefiting Oxfam America. Tori has organized and/or performed at benefit concerts on behalf of the National Federation of the Blind, F.A.C.E., the March of Dimes, VH1's Save the Music, the One Campaign, and Gilda's House. She donated the proceeds of her song "Leaving Side of Love" to Paste magazine's 'Songs for Haiti' initiative in 2010, and is a strong proponent of social justice and music education.

Tori will be on the road throughout Summer 2014 in support of 'Until Morning/Come out of the Dark.' Watch for her fifth album 'El Mar,' a collaboration with Barcelona Flamenco Fusion group Calamento, to be released on September 16th.

Shame
Tori Sparks Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

It was an ugly thing to look into my soul
I thought You'd taken everything but You just filled the hole
Give me the thorn, drive it in deep
I'll take the pain cause love ain't cheap

(chorus)
My heart bowed in shame
As I called Your name

You shall always be the one for me

Can't explain the things You've done for me
Keeping me from the fire, Oh precious memories

Farther along I go, take my hand precious Lord
Room at the cross for you, room at the cross for me

Overall Meaning

In Tori Sparks's song "Shame," the artist discusses the intricacies of love and devotion to a higher being. The opening verse paints a vivid and powerful image of the singer's soul, which has been ravaged and laid bare, only to be filled with something new. It's a powerful metaphor for the way love can be all-consuming but also healing. The chorus then comes in, with Sparks exploring the idea that despite everything she feels a deep sense of shame that is only alleviated by calling out for her higher power. The line "You shall always be the one for me" speaks to the idea that even in moments of shame or distress, there is always an anchor in faith that can keep a person grounded.

As the song progresses, Sparks continues to explore the different aspects of faith that can make it so powerful. She speaks to the ways in which it can protect a person, keeping them from harm or danger. But she also acknowledges that faith can come with a cost - there is pain involved in the process of opening oneself up to something bigger than oneself. The final lines of the song bring everything full circle, as Sparks sings about the idea of a "room at the cross" for everyone, from the singer to the listener to everyone else in between. It's a reminder that in moments of shame or pain, there is always a place to turn to for comfort and healing.

Line by Line Meaning

It was an ugly thing to look into my soul
I had to face the truth about myself and it wasn't pretty

I thought You'd taken everything but You just filled the hole
I used to think I had nothing left, but then I found purpose in You

Give me the thorn, drive it in deep
I'm willing to endure pain if it means growing closer to You

I'll take the pain cause love ain't cheap
I understand that love requires sacrifice and I'm ready for it

My heart bowed in shame
I was ashamed of who I was and what I had done

As I called Your name
But I knew that You were the only one who could save me

You shall always be the one for me
I will always put my trust in You, no matter what happens

Can't explain the things You've done for me
I'm grateful for all the ways You've saved me and changed me

Keeping me from the fire, Oh precious memories
You've protected me from destruction and I cherish those memories

Farther along I go, take my hand precious Lord
As I journey through life, I ask for Your guidance and support

Room at the cross for you, room at the cross for me
There's always a place for us at Your side, as long as we believe in You