Shake Me Down

Overall, this song is most certainly about his drug addiction and/or the struggles that happened going into it and going out of it. For someone who was so far along within drugs... it's so amazing to see how he has recovered. He hardly even drinks alcohol anymore. (Contrary to popular belief!) He refuses drug offers from fans without hesitation, no matter what drug, but is polite enough to still thank them for the offer. He also doesn't hesitate to tell them why he refuses, either -- "I used to have a really bad drug problem, so I stay away from that stuff now. Thank you, though."

It's for this reason that this song is truly, honestly, and perhaps even heartbreakingly beautiful. When you really take it in, consider what it takes for any person to get into this mindset after their troubles, you begin to realize that this song is hope and positive energy in its purest form.

He has witnessed what it is and how it feels to crumble at the seams. He has seen it in others and himself. He knows how unfulfilling and temporary the lifestyle is. So for him to triumphantly be able to declare to all those who will be listening, "I keep my eyes fixed on the sun" is a powerful and inspiring thing... and it should not go unnoticed or unappreciated.

You know, there's a lot of insight in what some of you said. Deep stuff. But to me it's more of a mash up of ideas. Overall it's about looking back at your life and seeing the things you've gone through. All the pain and hardship, and the disappointment in what your life turned out to be. Everyone grows up thinking they will achieve so much with their lives and they rarely do. The loss of beauty and innocence, and having to live with knowing just how many valuable hours were wasted. Hours they would give anything to get back. It's the tragedy of hindsight that is being pointed out. The sadness of age.

Then it switches gears and talks about the people who have looked back and the only ray of light they can remember is the innocent joy they had as a child. The ignorant happiness that we all long to re-obtain. They want so badly to be young again and to be able to forget all of the bad things that have happened to them and not have to live with the guilt that living longer than your friends and family brings. But they can't; so they stay miserable and alone.

But what i like most about this song, is that when he talks about himself and his own past he says he'll stay optimistic about the future. His past wasn't perfect. he didn't always feel loved; he didn't always make the right choices. He doesn't want to grow old or think about the future. But he knows that time is jealous of his youth and will continue to sap away his life no matter what. He knows one day he will be that person trying to reclaim some of their youthful happiness. But even when he feels bleak about his future (even on a cloudy day) he still has hope and enjoys the present (i keep my eyes fixed on the sun).

Nobody probably cares, but a while ago i wrote something silly that is along the same lines. "It's easier to notice the happy moments in life when you're surrounded by difficulty and darkness...Just don't forget to smile :)" But why i decided to post it i'll never know. I'm eighteen and i think about things like this all the time...

To me this song means when shit is goin rough just keep lookin up and thinking positively.

I think this song is about people are giving up (their eyes cast down, fixed upon the ground) but the singer (matt shultz) won't let himself think like that. he will always keep his head up even when he can't see what will happen (i keep my eyes fixed on the sun, even on a cloudy day) the sun is up, as apposed to the fixed upon the ground. The clouds will block his view, just as other things will drag him down and lead his eyes astray from what he's is heading for. (heading for the sun but the clouds are in his way) any ways thats just what i think

I beg to disagree that it's obviously about drug addiction. It's about alienation and loneliness. Second line of the song. Not a lot of people left around... then he talks about no love between the sheets. It's about his isolation, which may have come from his drug addiction, but you guys are reading too far into it. I do agree that it's a beautiful and uplifting song, but remember inspiration comes from places other than personal experience.

While it is possible that this song could be about the writer's use of drugs, after looking closely at the lyrics, I have realized that there is little evidence of this.

I believe that this song discusses pretty much any addiction, habit, or obstacle that we might overcome in life. Whether it be drugs, depression, or anger towards oneself, it all makes sense if you plug it into the lyrics. "People walk into the sea just to find memories plagued by constant misery" implies that the people turning back to these habits feel as if there is nothing else better or possible for them. If you are trying to forgive yourself for something you did, it is very easy to blame yourself again and cause yourself more misery, feeling like you deserve it. Addiction makes you believe you can't live without it, even though you know it only causes you pain. Same goes for other lines, "broken dreams, lonely times indeed," "time for me to let go," and "even on a cloudy day, I'll keep my eyes fixed on the sun." In my personal opinion, the first (and last) two lines are the most powerful.

This is, hands down, my favorite from CTE. It;s so powerful, and it was even the song that got me to listen and enjoy the other songs they wrote.

I agree Krusey. And I think in this part, Matt is referring to his past drug addiction:

In my past, bittersweet, There's no love between the sheets, Taste the blood, broken dreams, Lonely times indeed, With eyes cast down, Fixed upon the ground, Eyes cast down

Great song, great lyrics. I can't wait for the new album.

love this song obviously about drug addiction. Matt has such a way of putting all his emotions into his work but this song you can feel it <3

Even on a cloudy day,

I'll keep my eyes fixed on the sun

totally drug addiction. Shake me down...the attempt to be brought back into drugs and back into the hell they give to him yet he still wants to jump right back into the ocean and drown in that misery, how most addicts feel when they can't walk away, but if you keep your eyes fixed on the sun and head up above the clouds you can make it.

I don't think it's about drug addiction. The whole bit right here:

In my life, I have seen, People walk into the sea, Just to find memories, Plagued by constant misery, Their eyes cast down, Fixed upon the ground, Their eyes cast down

seems to be about people filled with some kind of dissatisfaction or regret returning to something from the past (usually childhood) trying to capture a glimpse of what they have lost.

I don't know what the last scene of the video means; was the meeting all in his head, his dying thoughts? or is that the next morning after the previous night's candle lighting? I thought the former at first and almost cried; I hope it's the latter.