Shangri-La
Versus Lyrics


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(R) Teenage groupie's true romance
Sitting on the sidelines cuz you can't dance
Buried to the knees
I know the city is vast, it's a parking lot
It's safe in the suburbs but you got caught
Hiding in the trees

You were turning their heads when you were young
Cherry stems on the tip of your tongue
And kissing everyone
You were left behind by the boys and girls
Now you're falling off the end of the world
Who's your Shangri-La?
(w/F distant backup:)
You're buried to the knees
And you're hiding in the trees

(F) Holding out for something more
Do you know what you're looking for

(F/R) Holding out for something more
Do you know what you're looking for

(F) Holding out
for something more (R) Who's your Shangri-La
Do you know
what you're looking for And who will set you free?

Holding out
for something more Who's your Shangri-La?
Do you know
what you're looking for Might as well be me

(R) Your high rise utopia
Maybe there's still hope for you
To find you Shangri-La




(w/ F) Or you'll be buried to the knees
And hiding in the trees

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Versus's song Shangri-La talks about a teenage groupie seeking true love but is unable to find it. The singer describes this young girl as someone who is always on the sidelines, unable to dance, and is stuck in between the vast, crowded streets of the city and the safe suburban life where she feels caught. She was once popular, turning heads when she was young and kissing everyone with cherry stems on the tip of her tongue. However, she was left behind by the boys and girls, and now she feels like she's falling off the end of the world. The singer asks who her Shangri-La is and wonders who will set her free. The girl is holding out for something more, but the singer questions if she knows what she's looking for.


The chorus repeats the line, "Who's your Shangri-La?" and talks about the girl being buried to the knees and hiding in the trees. The singer suggests that the girl might find her Shangri-La in the high-rise utopia, or she might remain buried to the knees and hiding in the trees. The overall message of the song seems to be that the girl is lost, seeking something more in life, but is unsure of what she wants or where to find it.


Line by Line Meaning

Teenage groupie's true romance
A sincere and genuine romantic relationship between a young girl who is a dedicated fan (groupie) and a famous boy.


Sitting on the sidelines cuz you can't dance
Not being able to participate fully while watching others dance and enjoy life.


Buried to the knees
Stuck and unable to move forward, possibly due to being trapped or overwhelmed by one's circumstances.


I know the city is vast, it's a parking lot
The city is a sprawling, overwhelming place that feels empty and lifeless like a parking lot.


It's safe in the suburbs but you got caught
Avoiding the dangers and vices of the city by living in the suburbs but still getting trapped or caught up in problematic situations.


Hiding in the trees
Escaping the stresses of life by seeking refuge in nature or fantasy.


You were turning their heads when you were young
Attracting attention and admiration from others when you were young and carefree.


Cherry stems on the tip of your tongue
Seductively holding cherry stems between your lips/tongue, symbolizing playfulness and flirtation.


And kissing everyone
Experiencing a carefree and flirty life where you kissed many people without serious consequences.


You were left behind by the boys and girls
Being abandoned or overlooked by the people you used to be close with or interested in.


Now you're falling off the end of the world
Feeling like your life is spiraling out of control and nothing makes sense anymore.


Who's your Shangri-La?
Who or what can bring you happiness, peace, or the sense of paradise and completeness that you crave?.


You're buried to the knees
Still being trapped and stuck in your current situation without any hope of escape.


And you're hiding in the trees
Escaping the stresses of reality by seeking refuge in nature, fantasy, or imagination.


Holding out for something more
Waiting patiently for better things in life, avoiding settling for less than what you want or need.


Do you know what you're looking for
Being unsure of what you truly want or need, leading to hesitation or confusion.


Might as well be me
I could be the one who brings you the happiness and fulfillment you seek (Shangri-La).


Your high rise utopia
Your dream of a perfect and lavish life that you hope to attain someday.


Maybe there's still hope for you
Even though things seem bleak, there's still a possibility of a brighter future.


To find your Shangri-La
To attain the paradise or happiness you yearn for.




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JEFF LYNNE

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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