Shadow Lyrics

[Verse 1]
I was six years old
When my parents went away
I was stuck inside a broken life
I couldn't wish away
She was beautiful
She had everything and more
And my escape was hiding out and running for the door

[Pre-Chorus]
Somebody listen please
It used to be so hard being me

[Chorus]
Living in the shadow
Of someone else's dream

Tryna find a hand to hold
But every touch felt cold to me
Living in a nightmare
A never-ending sleep
But now that I am wide awake
My chains are finally free
Don't feel sorry for me

[Verse 2]
All the days collided
One less perfect than the next
I was stuck inside someone else's life and always second best
Oh, I love you now, 'cause now I realize
That it's safe outside to come alive in my identity
[Pre-Chorus 2]
So if you're listening
There's so much more to me you haven't seen

[Chorus]
Living in the shadow
Of someone else's dream

Tryna find a hand to hold
But every touch felt cold to me
Living in a nightmare
A never-ending sleep
But now that I am wide awake
Then I can finally see
Don't feel sorry for me

[Bridge]
Mother, sister, father, sister, mother
Everything's cool now
Mother, sister, father, sister, mother
Everything's cool now
Oh, my life is good
I've got more than anyone should
Oh, my life is good
And the past is in the past


[Chorus 2]
I was living in the shadow of someone else's dream
Tryna find a hand to hold
But every touch felt cold to me
I'm living in a new day, I'm living it for me
And now that I am wide awake
Yeah, I can finally be
So don't feel sorry for me
Don't feel sorry, don't feel sorry for me
Don't feel sorry, don't feel sorry for me
[Outro]
Living in, living in, living in the shadow
Living in, living in, living in a new day

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About

Genius Annotation

Simpson wrote the lyrics about living in the shadow of her older sister Jessica. On her appearance on Live With Regis And Kelly, Simpson said:

It’s really about dealing with myself and dealing with the voice in your head that’s like, ‘Oh, everything has to be so perfect, and I have to be like this,’ and finding my identity and saying, ‘OK, you know, this is who I am, you know, imperfections and all, and I love myself for me, and here I am.’

The song managed to reach #57 on the Hot 100.

Q&A

Find answers to frequently asked questions about the song and explore its deeper meaning

What did Ashlee Simpson say about "Shadow"?
Genius Answer

When I was around 14, I hadn’t grown into my face yet and was all awkward and ugly, and I had this beautiful pop-star sister. So there was a time when I didn’t feel great about myself. The song is about coming to the point where I’m like, Okay, I love who I am, and I’m happy being this person.

–via Cosmopolitan (2005)

Credits
Assistant Recording Engineer
Mixing Engineer
Background Vocals
String Arranger
Bass Guitar
Release Date
September 14, 2004
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