The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
You seem like you're so restless, young at heart
Who gave you reason?
You should be out driving people wild
Who gave you reason?
You got a shock to your system
Knocked your heart right out of sync
You're only meant to hurt once in a while
Who gave you reason?
You're only meant to cry once in a while
Who gave you reason?
You got a shock to your system
Pull yourself out of it
I know that shock to your system
Knocked your heart right out of sync
What you are
What you are
What you are
What you are
What you are is lonely
What you are
What you are is lonely
What you are
You must rely on love once in a while
To give you reason
You must rely on me once in a while
To give you reason
You got a shock to your system
Pull yourself out of it
I know that shock to your system
Knocked your heart right out of sync
What you are
What you are
What you are
What you are
What you are is lonely
What you are
What you are is lonely
What you are
Ooh
What you are is lonely
Ooh
What you are is lonely
Ooh
What you are is lonely
Ooh
Who gave you reason?
You should be out driving people wild
Who gave you reason?
You got a shock to your system
Knocked your heart right out of sync
You're only meant to hurt once in a while
Who gave you reason?
You're only meant to cry once in a while
Who gave you reason?
You got a shock to your system
Pull yourself out of it
I know that shock to your system
Knocked your heart right out of sync
What you are
What you are
What you are
What you are
What you are is lonely
What you are
What you are is lonely
What you are
You must rely on love once in a while
To give you reason
You must rely on me once in a while
To give you reason
You got a shock to your system
Pull yourself out of it
I know that shock to your system
Knocked your heart right out of sync
What you are
What you are
What you are
What you are
What you are is lonely
What you are
What you are is lonely
What you are
Ooh
What you are is lonely
Ooh
What you are is lonely
Ooh
What you are is lonely
Ooh
Lyrics submitted by llscience, edited by Mellow_Harsher, slider142
Shock to Your System Lyrics as written by Tegan Rain Quin Sara Keirsten Quin
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
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Without addressing what caused the 'shock' I like to interpret this song as a conversation between the mind and the heart.
The first stanza is spoken by the mind who is scolding the heart as if to remind it to do its job, namely to manage the emotional needs of the person (the system). The question “who gave you reason?” is rhetorical as if the mind is saying: “That’s my job, stick to yours”
The third stanza is also spoken by the mind but takes a conciliatory tone in contrast to the advisory one in the first stanza. The new tone makes the rhetorical “who gave you reason?” seem to be a gentle admonishment. The repetitive question also can take on a second, more linguistically poetic, meaning which can be elaborated as: “Who is the reason you cry so much?” or a third meaning: “Who gave you permission to cry so much?” Personally I take all of these reasons together because the question is repeated often and because it gives this conversation the complexity that is deserving of a banging song like this one.
The second and fourth stanzas, along with the chorus (what you are…is lonely) I interpret as being spoken by an omniscient narrator who gives the listener the context behind the heart-mind conversation that we are listening to.
The only stanza left to address is the sixth one which is the one spoken from the heart’s perspective–an answer to the earlier stanzas. The words themselves are straight forward however this reprisal tells us that the heart has a modicum of self assurance. It’s important because while it is clear that heart is part of, and the reason why the system is struggling at the moment, it isn’t to be thrown aside, forgotten about, or belittled by the mind because it has unique value.
While there is no real conclusion from the laconic and pithy conversation, I think the song does offer up a succinct diagnosis: “What you are is lonely.” Its simplicity is pleasant and fitting because it is thoroughly blameless, which has been the tone throughout the song. It’s the blamelessness that imbues this song with the lyrical optimism that perfectly matches the upbeat melody.
A very interesting, well thought out interpretation...
I think that it's sort of like... well, Sara is writing this to herself, saying this stuff to herself.
Yeah, in this video interview (youtu.be/rtQ8ohaGpys) she describes it as sort of her future self giving advice to her younger self, presumably the self that was experiencing cabin fever in the isolating Montreal winter (Vanity Fair article: vanityfair.com/online/daily/2013/01/tegan-and-sara-new-song-shock-to-your-system-exclusive)
I seriously love this song.
I think it's maybe about someone right after a break up.
She said this song was about herself... Poor baby. :(
it reminds me of Stuck in a Moment by U2. its kind about the same thing. being stuck and not being able to move on.
Seems to be about a relationship ending. The circumstances aren't clear so it could be a break-up, a fight, or even about the death of another. I think the bigger message is to move on, though.