Shadows[1] is a song by The Midnight. It is the first track from their album Nocturnal. A remix single of Shadows, containing the Uppermost Remix, was released by Silk Music on August 23, 2019.
Track info
The song was written by band members Tim McEwan and Tyler Lyle and produced by McEwan. It has a running time of six minutes and twenty-seven seconds and is in the key of F sharp. The saxophone on Shadows was played by Thomas Edinger.
The vocal effects on Shadows heard after the chorus is a result of Lyle's vocals being cut up and pitched using the program KONTAKT, which allows the pitch to be adjusted without changing the tempo.
Regarding the underlying influence of the song, Lyle said: "If you want the secret code to ‘Shadows,’ it’s ‘The Thunder Rolls’ by Garth Brooks”.
Demo version
An early demo of Shadows was released as a prize during the Fall 2020 alternate reality game (ARG). Titled Shadows v4, the demo is very close to the final version of the song, and the changes made are rather subtle. There is no instrumental gap between the first verse and first chorus, and there are some differences in the pitched vocals following the chorus. The ending is slightly shorter. Compared to the other demos released during the ARG, this is one of the most complete and least changed.
Track listing
All tracks are written by Tim McEwan and Tyler Lyle.
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Shadows (Uppermost Remix)" | 4:10 |
| Total length: | 4:10 | |
Lyric
The city carved a silhouette
On the ocean after dark Over The lonely and the holy
And the red blood beating hearts
Up from the dirty black water
A shadow void of form Raised itself out of the river
And it climbed upon the shore
Neon on the black top
Theres a gentle rain downtown The shadow pooling underneath me
As it follows on the ground
Kissed you when I saw you
Stared deep into your eyes I meant to say ‘I love you’
But instead I said goodbye
Shadows in the city
I’m a stranger to myself On these streets I’m someone else Shadows in the city Like a demon in the dark
Come to tear us apart (neon on the city)
(shadows, downtown)
(neon on the city) (shadows, downtown) (neon on the city) (shadows, downtown) (neon on the city) (shadows, downtown)
(neon on the city)
For all my good intentions
There's a shadow in this dark It comes to me infrequently
And breaks your perfect heart
I don't know why I do it
(I) Apologize but it's too Late A single tear you leave me here and
Shadow slips away
Shadows in the city
I’m a stranger to myself On these streets I’m someone else Shadows in the city Like a demon in the dark
Come to tear us apart (neon on the city)
(shadows, downtown)
(neon on the city) (shadows, downtown) (neon on the city) (shadows, downtown) (neon on the city) (shadows, downtown) (neon on the city) (shadows, downtown)
(neon on the city)
(shadows, downtown)
(neon on the city) (shadows, downtown) (neon on the city) (shadows, downtown) (neon on the city) (shadows, downtown)
(neon on the city)
(shadows, downtown)
(neon on the city) (shadows, downtown) (neon on the city) (shadows, downtown)
(neon on the city)
Lyrics source[2]