SHIFT
by Grizzly Bear Lyrics


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Baby, I've got silver and I've got gold
But when push comes to shove, this is getting old
I wouldn't have it any other way
No, I wouldn't have it any other way
And when you call I'll be there
There...
I wouldn't have it any other way




Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Grizzly Bear's Song, "Shift," constitute a depiction of a predicament where the singer faces a conflict between two materials, silver and gold, which he showcases as symbols of wealth and prosperity, and their innate unsatisfactory attributes. The singer seems to have reached a point in life where he realizes that materialistic possessions and external appearances are fading, and their importance diminishes. The phrase "when push comes to shove, this is getting old" suggests the imminence of a transition that will force us to face facts, as we cannot evade or escape them. The singer then acknowledges that, despite the frustration and the agony of the situation, he wouldn’t have it any other way.


However, the song's chorus provides a glimmer of hope and assurance - "when you call I'll be there, there… I wouldn't have it any other way." The lyrics "when you call, I'll be there" suggest that the singer's perception of life changed. The abstractness of the lyrics implies that the singer has a strong support system, whether it's personal or spiritual, that helps him cope with the frustrations of life. The phrase, "I wouldn't have it any other way," signifies that the struggles, difficulties, and agony that the singer faces are crucial for his growth and development, and he wouldn't wish to bypass or trade them for an easier life.


Grizzly Bear's "Shift" is a ballad that brings to light the taboo of speaking about the agony and frustration we experience in life. The song is a reminder that everyone faces struggles, disappointments, and frustrations in life, but what matters is how we deal with them. It is a reminder that sometimes acknowledging our feelings and seeking support can be the first step to moving forward in life.


Line by Line Meaning

Baby, I've got silver and I've got gold
I have everything I need, both valuable and precious things.


But when push comes to shove, this is getting old
However, after a while, all these things lose their value, and I get tired of them.


I wouldn't have it any other way
Despite this, I would still choose to have these things in my life.


No, I wouldn't have it any other way
I am content with what I have and do not wish for anything else.


And when you call I'll be there
Despite my possessions, my priorities lie with those closest to me, and I will always be there for them.


There...
Implies an unwavering commitment to being available and present for those that matter most.


I wouldn't have it any other way
This statement is repeated to emphasize the importance of prioritizing relationships over material possessions.




Contributed by Vivian J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@aktionmutante2188

SONGTEXT :


Baby, I've got silver and I've got gold

But when push comes to shove, this is getting old

I wouldn't have it any other way

No, I wouldn't have it any other way

And when you call I'll be there

There...

I wouldn't have it any other way



All comments from YouTube:

@malainacarver3267

This song is so somber and beautiful, if only you could get sound tattooed on you. Because this is so perfect in every way it's unexplainable.

@SceneGirlBro

i cant even begin to explain just how much i love grizzly bear and their music. like grizzly bear's songs make me feel something i've never felt before, and i love it. their songs just make me so calm yet at the same time, very excited. i dont know how to explain it. all i know is that i never want it to go away.

@selin2984

emily gutierrez l feel you. Can you stay in my life as friend. ?

@eagletmars

The whistling is a nice touch, it gives it a "casual" vibe.. I always feel like my mind goes into "grizzly bear" mode when I listen to them it's so relaxing

@Jon-gm3dw

Love both versions, both bring me back to all the sad times i listened to them to cheer myself up. I hope this music can bring everyone the kind of sanctuary from life that it has for me

@ctyler1859

Honestly, I can't think of any other artist to express the themes of Blue Valentine more than the boys in Grizzly Bear.

@vyronh.5595

When I first heard this song, it was from the movie "Blue Valentine" it made me want to cry. It just sounds like a song that you want to cry to

@lalalovenickie

yess! the before and after sequences... so heartbreaking

@denmark39

Also from the documentary Armadillo

@CPJoe1992

Yesss. I discovered GB through watching Blue Valentine. This song playing during both the marriage and the end of the marriage is so emotional.

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