A Dancing Shell
Wild Nothing Lyrics
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And I sold myself so I can be a big star
And I'll be your monkey every night
If it makes you love me, watch me now
Watch me, watch me
Is that the way? I never know
Is that the way? (oh)
I was a waste
I'm not a human, I'm just a body
Just a dancing shell here to make you happy
I have no feelings, I have no thoughts
I have to make you love me, watch me now
Watch me, watch me
Is that the way? I never know
Is that the way? (oh)
Is that the way? I never know
I was a waste
Is that the way? I never know
Is that the way? (oh)
Is that the way? I never know
I was a waste
Is that the way? I never know
Is that the way? (oh)
Is that the way? I never know
I was a waste
The lyrics of Wild Nothing's song "A Dancing Shell" are a commentary on the entertainment industry and the pressures it exerts on performers to conform to certain standards of beauty and behavior in order to be successful. The singer of the song seems to have sold himself out - both literally and figuratively - in order to attain fame and fortune. He speaks of "selling himself out at the moon" and becoming "a big star," suggesting that he has made compromises and sacrifices in order to achieve his goals. He also refers to himself as a "monkey," implying that he is willing to perform any trick or act to please his audience and win their approval.
The repeated refrain of "Is that the way? I never know" conveys a sense of uncertainty and confusion on the part of the singer. He doesn't seem to have a clear sense of who he is or what he wants, and is constantly questioning whether the actions he is taking are the right ones. He describes himself as "a waste," as if he is disposable and insignificant in the grand scheme of things. The final lines of the song - "I'm not a human, I'm just a body / Just a dancing shell here to make you happy" - emphasize the idea that the singer has lost touch with his own humanity and is now little more than a vessel for others' enjoyment.
Line by Line Meaning
Sold myself fresh out at the moon
I gambled everything to try and become famous.
And I sold myself so I can be a big star
I sacrificed my integrity and authenticity for fame.
And I'll be your monkey every night
I'll do whatever it takes to keep your attention and admiration.
If it makes you love me, watch me now
My only goal is to be loved and accepted by others.
Is that the way? I never know
I constantly question whether this is a healthy or fulfilling way to live.
I was a waste
I feel like I wasted my life pursuing something that ultimately wasn't fulfilling.
I'm not a human, I'm just a body
I feel like I've lost my humanity and identity in the quest for fame.
Just a dancing shell here to make you happy
I exist solely for the pleasure and entertainment of others.
I have no feelings, I have no thoughts
I've numbed myself to avoid the pain of repressing my true self.
Is that the way? I never know
I'm still unsure if this is a healthy or fulfilling way to live.
I was a waste
I still feel like I wasted my life pursuing something that wasn't fulfilling.
Lyrics © SC PUBLISHING DBA SECRETLY CANADIAN PUB., Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: John Alexander Tatum
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
janna d’ark
Sold myself fresh out at the moon
And I sold myself so I can be a big star
And I'll be your monkey every night
If it makes you love me, watch me now
Watch me, watch me
Is that the way? I never know
Is that the way? (oh)
Is that the way? I never know
I was a waste
I'm not a human, I'm just a body
Just a dancing shell here to make you happy
I have no feelings, I have no thoughts
I have to make you love me, watch me now
Watch me, watch me
Is that the way? I never know
Is that the way? (oh)
Is that the way? I never know
I was a waste
Is that the way? I never know
Is that the way? (oh)
Is that the way? I never know
I was a waste
Is that the way? I never know
Is that the way? (oh)
Is that the way? I never know
I was a waste
David
Lyrics:
Sold myself fresh out at the moon
And I sold myself so I can be a big star
And I'll be your monkey every night
If it makes you love me, watch me now
Watch me, watch me
Is that the way? I never know
Is that the way? (oh)
Is that the way? I never know
I was a waste
I'm not a human, I'm just a body
Just a dancing shell here to make you happy
I have no feelings, I have no thoughts
I have to make you love me, watch me now
Watch me, watch me
Is that the way? I never know
Is that the way? (oh)
Is that the way? I never know
I was a waste
Is that the way? I never know
Is that the way? (oh)
Is that the way? I never know
I was a waste
Is that the way? I never know
Is that the way? (oh)
Is that the way? I never know
I was a waste
Justin Simmons
A classic at this point. The nostalgia is palpable.
Name Face
if you like wild nothing you should check out Lonely Gimmick - Grumpy Days, its a cool new indie track
Kyle Landon
I remember sharing this on Facebook when it first dropped and this girl I had gone to school with liked it. At the time I was pretty established, I was doing good for the first time ever really and definitely wasn't looking for anything serious, yet I found myself stalking her page from time to time. She seemed lovely, almost too nice for me, as if I would tarnish her in some way, like I wasn't ready for a girl who was actually nice. She ended up continuing to like the music I would often share, and after seeing that I was going to see Wavves, she messaged me to ask where it was, even though she could have answered that with a simple google, which I took for an obvious attempt at sparking up some conversation. I seized the opportunity and we hung out a few days after. We ended up falling in love pretty quickly. A year later we were driving up the coast for a short holiday together, we mainly held hands for the eight hours, a few breaks in between, but I just remember being silent and really calm, it was this warm and settled feeling. We listened to tonnes of Wild Nothing then this song came on and it just clicked, the entire EP really but this song followed by Hachiko just sent us somewhere, not even looking at one another, just my hand on her thigh driving. I remember sometimes having this sense that I was the character in this song though. No discernible identity, never having that sense of knowing myself, but filling this quota to be the perfect partner for her, and it really was perfect. I began to question this just like the character in the song. After almost five years we split, and disregarding it being the most amazing thing I have ever experienced, I still feel like this will always be our song. I think we were both a dancing shell for one another, it might be that everyone is.
No Name
Thanks for the life story, I read the first 4 words.
SINEDRIFTER
Man what a great story, thx for sharing! 😊
Kyle Landon
@SINEDRIFTER Forgot about his post haha and no worries, thanks man.
Wyatt
Beautiful story and experience, thanks for sharing. Hope you’re doing well :)
Andrew Sankov
People who loves music like that, doomed to be lonely)
Kayla
5 years later and I still can't get over the begining of this song, the way it all comes together, it's so fucking perfect
Salma Hernandez
I remember hearing this song when I was in high school. I definitely had my main character moments with it. I’d walk to school, replay this song in the hallways and when it was time to go home…I’d walk back and listen to it.