Well, in my opinion this song is about being a young & maybe a little naive &/or introverted girl and finding yourself loving a man who is at first very charming, carefree & outgoing, and seems at first to be without limits, as in
"There was a time
you opened up every doorway
you didn't mind if everything
wasn't your way"
then that man starts to gradually become more introverted & shows their more possessive/obsessive side to you as the relationship progresses, even while they keep up the appearance of being carefree & outgoing to everyone else,
"Don't pull away
that goes against what you told me
I look in your eyes
I realize what you've sold me
is love in a vacuum"
so you confront them about the way they're acting and of course they deny it,
"I think you've changed
but you insist that
that's not true"
quite possibly they are an addict of some sort, my guess would be cocaine, &/or showing very obsessive behavior towards you (early on in the video for this song we see the man hanging a picture up, it is a very large portrait of Aimee & it is prominently displayed in his/their apartment for the duration of the song), thus their "love in a vacuum",
"You look so strange, so distant
that you're hardly you
Now I can see
how you have been acting different
You say it's me
but I know
that it isn't
it's love in a vacuum"
but still you are in love with them and don't want to leave them and you know that they are truly in love with you and they don't want you to leave them either, maybe they are convinced you can save them from themself, maybe they are so broken that the possibility of an overdose &/or suicide attempt is very real and you want to get through to them that their behavior not only dangerous but it is also just pissing you off and if they don't wise up they run the risk of loosing you, as in the lines
"You will be lonely
if you leave me alone", so you want to save them but can't get through to them due to the addiction &/or emotional problems they have,
"Love in a vacuum
and that's not enough
love in a vacuum
You will be lonely
you'll be the only one who feels this way
You will be lonely
if you leave me alone
You will be lonely
you'll be the only one who feels this way
it's just not enough"
you want them to understand that the love they are giving you is not enough when it is filtered through the vacuum of their drug addiction &/or emotional impairment,
"You will be lonely
you'll be the only one who feels this way
it's just not enough
and just wait
you will be lonely
Love in a vacuum
Love in a vacuum
and that's not enough
Love in a vacuum".
'Love In A Vacuum' for me is a hauntingly truthful acute argument on the loneliness of obsession and almost inevitable loss of love that follows people who are broken in some way or another; the obsessives, the coke heads, the drunks, addicts or the just-plain-old emotionally broken; a razor sharp, lyrically driven, deceptively poppy, yet ultimately-depressing-in-the-best-way song.
Quintessential Aimee Mann.
Shake me down
Not a lot of people left around
Who knows now
Softly laying on the ground, ooh
Not a lot of people left around, ooh
In my life, I've 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
I'll keep my eyes fixed on the sun
Shake me down
Cut my hair on a silver cloud
Broken sound
Softly laying on the ground, ooh
Not a lot of people left around, ooh
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
I'll keep my eyes fixed on the sun
Turn back now it's time for me to let go
Way down had to find a place to lay low
Lampshade turned around into a light post
Walk around the corner
Never saw it coming, still
I try to make a move
It almost stopped me from belief
I don't wanna know the future
But I'm like Rolling Thunder
Even on a cloudy day
Even on a cloudy day
Even on a cloudy day
Even on a cloudy day
Even on a cloudy day
Even on a cloudy day
Even on a cloudy day
I'll keep my eyes fixed on the
I'll keep my eyes fixed on the
I'll keep my eyes fixed on the sun
Shake me down
Not a lot of people left around, ooh
Not a lot of people left around
Who knows now
Softly laying on the ground, ooh
Not a lot of people left around, ooh
In my life, I've 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
I'll keep my eyes fixed on the sun
Shake me down
Cut my hair on a silver cloud
Broken sound
Softly laying on the ground, ooh
Not a lot of people left around, ooh
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
I'll keep my eyes fixed on the sun
Turn back now it's time for me to let go
Way down had to find a place to lay low
Lampshade turned around into a light post
Walk around the corner
Never saw it coming, still
I try to make a move
It almost stopped me from belief
I don't wanna know the future
But I'm like Rolling Thunder
Even on a cloudy day
Even on a cloudy day
Even on a cloudy day
Even on a cloudy day
Even on a cloudy day
Even on a cloudy day
Even on a cloudy day
I'll keep my eyes fixed on the
I'll keep my eyes fixed on the
I'll keep my eyes fixed on the sun
Shake me down
Not a lot of people left around, ooh
Lyrics submitted by awholelottabang, edited by BlueDiamondx3, Stealthheart
Shake Me Down Lyrics as written by Daniel Tichenor Brad Shultz
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, 4U2ASKY ENTERTAINMENT INC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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He reuses the verse melody from the previous album's "Dirty Little Religion", the topics of the verses are all over the place, and he packs too many words into one line (goes to show...) and too few in another (it's pretty hard to find), and rhymes "Henley Regatta" with "Persona non grata", but gets away with it all as only he could.
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He certainly did earn that reputation.
when rules change
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This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere.
In general, it highlights the danger of hidden agendas, manipulation, and distraction, serving as a critique of those who exploit chaos and confusion to control and gain power, depicting a cautionary tale against falling into their traps. It encourages us to question the narratives presented to us and remain vigilant against manipulation in various parts of society.
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.
YESS I KNEW IT!! why? cuz i am going through an addiction of drugs myself. I am currently three days sober on my way to recovery and i will tell you this song literally helps with the withdraws. i was kinda curious about him as well as far as if he was on drugs currently but i suppose i can believe you (AshleyJayne) when you say he denies it. <br /> This song helps me battle everyday.(min by min)<br /> <br /> I mean this song is me to a T. <br /> "In my past, bittersweet,<br /> There's no love between the sheets", thats no doubt all i care about is the drug. not girls. Not thinkin bout sex.<br /> Also the <br /> and,"Taste the blood, broken dreams,<br /> Lonely times indeed," and i mean very lonely.<br /> and of course "eyes cast down" you always be lookin at the ground on drugs. especially if your noddin like i was. and <br /> and ill keep my eyes fixed on the sun. thats definatley stayin positive to recovery.<br /> thank you! <br /> LOOOVE THIS SONG!
@AshleyJayne I believe that could be some part of it, but I also think you couldlook at this song from a broader perspective, not only about drugs.