Shadows
Versus the Ocean Lyrics


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(Oh there are shadows everywhere
Whispering secrets in my ear)

Everything I thought I knew has just disappeared
And taken my dignity prisoner
Come save me from this so unfamiliar home

Now let's get down
To finding out how this terrible mess was allowed
I mean now!
Let's get down
And piece this together somehow

Oh there are shadows everywhere
Whispering secrets in my ear

It's too much to take
Oh It's making me shake
The flood gates are opening

There's so much at stake
Oh this wall's going to break
It's better that I hide alone

Even though it's contradicting
Just leave me be
Since I never wanted this anyway
These clever shadows have such convincing words

Where do I go from here?
Where do I go from here?
I'm fighting back with my conscience in hand

It's too much to take
Oh It's making me shake
The flood gates are opening

There's so much at stake
Oh this wall's going to break
The flood gates are opening

It's too much to take
Oh it's making me shake
It's better that I hide alone

There's so much at stake
Oh this wall's going to break
‘Cause I'm afraid it's way too late to undo this

We'll always know right where you are
And where you call your home
Being followed
Every footstep





You imposters!

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of the song "Shadows" by Versus the Ocean paint a picture of someone feeling lost and struggling to find their way in a situation they feel trapped in. The first few lines suggest that the person is surrounded by secrets and shadows that whisper them unsettling things. The singer feels like everything they thought they knew has disappeared, and they have lost their dignity as a result. They look for a way out of this unfamiliar situation and feel overwhelmed by the floodgates of their emotions.


The chorus of the song is a repetition of the idea that there are shadows everywhere, whispering secrets in their ear, perpetuating the idea that the person is being watched and followed. Though the singer acknowledges that they are fighting back with their conscience in their hand, the bridges suggest that they still feel like it's too much to handle and better if they hide alone. They question if it's too late to undo the wrong, and they end the song by expressing their anger towards those who have followed them around and marketed as imposters.


In sum, "Shadows" is a lyrically dark and emotive song that explores the theme of losing oneself in a situation and feeling consumed by negative and secret elements around.


Line by Line Meaning

Everything I thought I knew has just disappeared
The singer is lost and confused, and feels like they have lost their sense of self and identity.


And taken my dignity prisoner
The singer feels humiliated and ashamed by their current situation.


Come save me from this so unfamiliar home
The singer is in a place that is entirely foreign to them and they need help to get out of it.


Now let's get down
The artist is calling for action and wants to start making progress.


To finding out how this terrible mess was allowed
The artist wants to figure out how they ended up in this bad situation.


I mean now!
The singer is emphasizing the urgency of the situation.


And piece this together somehow
The singer wants to figure out how to fix what has happened.


It's too much to take
The artist is overwhelmed.


Oh It's making me shake
The situation is causing a physical reaction in the artist.


The flood gates are opening
The artist can't keep their emotions contained anymore.


There's so much at stake
The outcome of the situation is extremely important or serious.


Oh this wall's going to break
The artist feels like they are at their breaking point and can't take any more.


It's better that I hide alone
The singer feels like they need to isolate themselves from others to deal with their problems.


Even though it's contradicting
The singer knows that their actions may not make logical sense.


Just leave me be
The singer wants to be left alone.


Since I never wanted this anyway
The artist feels like they never asked for or deserved to be in this situation.


These clever shadows have such convincing words
The artist feels like they are being misled or tricked by their own thoughts or feelings.


Where do I go from here?
The singer is lost and doesn't know what steps to take next.


I'm fighting back with my conscience in hand
The singer is trying to make decisions based on their morals or beliefs, but it's not easy.


‘Cause I'm afraid it's way too late to undo this
The artist feels like they are past the point of no return and there's no way to fix what has happened.


We'll always know right where you are
The artist feels like someone is constantly watching and tracking them, even when they are alone.


And where you call your home
The artist feels like someone is invading their personal space and privacy.


Being followed
The singer feels like they are being stalked or monitored.


Every footstep
The artist feels like someone is tracking their movements and actions very closely.


You imposters!
The singer is accusing someone of not being genuine or real.


Oh there are shadows everywhere
The singer feels like they are surrounded by negative thoughts and feelings.


Whispering secrets in my ear
The singer feels like their own inner voice is betraying them and leading them astray.




Contributed by Taylor F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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