I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
Oh, the night makes you a star
And it holds you cold in its arms
You're the one to whom nobody verses I love you
Unless you say it first
So you lie there holding your breath
And it's strange how soon you forget
That you're like stars
They only show up when it's dark
Cause they don't know their worth
And I think you need
To stop following misery's lead
Shine away, shine away, shine away
Isn't it time you got over
How fragile you are
We're all wait-
Waiting on your supernova
Cause that's who you are
And you've only begun to shine
There are times when
The poets and porn stars align and
You won't know who to believe in
Well that's a good time to be leavin'
And the past, it knocks on your door
And throws stones at your window at 4 in the morning
Well maybe he thinks it's romantic
He's crazy but you knew that before
And I think you need
To stop following misery's lead
Shine away, shine away, shine away
Isn't it time you got over
How fragile you are
We're all wait-
Waiting on your supernova
Cause that's who you are
And you've only begun to shine
Yea you've only begun to shine
Won't you shine, shine, shine
Shine over shadow, oh oh
Shine, shine, shine
Shine over shadow, oh oh
Shine, shine, shine, shine over
And I think you need
To stop following misery's lead
Shine away, shine away, shine away
Isn't it time you got over
How fragile you are
We're all wait-
Waiting on your supernova
Cause that's who you are
And you've only begun to shine
Yeah you've only begun to shine
Yeah you've only begun to shine
And it holds you cold in its arms
You're the one to whom nobody verses I love you
Unless you say it first
So you lie there holding your breath
And it's strange how soon you forget
That you're like stars
They only show up when it's dark
Cause they don't know their worth
And I think you need
To stop following misery's lead
Shine away, shine away, shine away
Isn't it time you got over
How fragile you are
We're all wait-
Waiting on your supernova
Cause that's who you are
And you've only begun to shine
There are times when
The poets and porn stars align and
You won't know who to believe in
Well that's a good time to be leavin'
And the past, it knocks on your door
And throws stones at your window at 4 in the morning
Well maybe he thinks it's romantic
He's crazy but you knew that before
And I think you need
To stop following misery's lead
Shine away, shine away, shine away
Isn't it time you got over
How fragile you are
We're all wait-
Waiting on your supernova
Cause that's who you are
And you've only begun to shine
Yea you've only begun to shine
Won't you shine, shine, shine
Shine over shadow, oh oh
Shine, shine, shine
Shine over shadow, oh oh
Shine, shine, shine, shine over
And I think you need
To stop following misery's lead
Shine away, shine away, shine away
Isn't it time you got over
How fragile you are
We're all wait-
Waiting on your supernova
Cause that's who you are
And you've only begun to shine
Yeah you've only begun to shine
Yeah you've only begun to shine
Lyrics submitted by 2cute2bstrait
Shine Lyrics as written by Ford Dabney Cecil Mack
Lyrics © SHAPIRO BERNSTEIN & CO. INC.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
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Page
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I LOVE this song! It is beautiful and true on so many levels - mostly i agree with the above posts my fave line is - "I think you need to stop following misery's lead, Shine away shine away shine away, isn't it time you got over how fragile you...and you've only begun to shine!" for me that says Be yourself, stop feeling down on yourself and feel free to be who you are - even in the darkest of situations, let your inner light shine away! so true. :-)