Shivers

Current Joys' song 'Shivers' delves into the dark and complex emotions associated with unrequited love and inner turmoil. The opening lines, 'I've been contemplating suicide / But it really doesn't suit my style,' immediately set a somber tone, revealing the narrator's deep despair. However, the decision to 'act bored instead' suggests a struggle to maintain a facade of normalcy despite the intense emotional pain. This juxtaposition of inner suffering and outward indifference is a recurring theme throughout the song.

The lyrics describe a relationship that brings more discomfort than joy, as evidenced by lines like 'She makes me feel so ill at ease / My heart is really on its knees.' The narrator's poker face, which even his mother cannot see through, highlights the effort to conceal his true feelings. The metaphor of the lover being 'so vain she is almost a mirror' suggests that she is self-absorbed, reflecting only her own image and not the narrator's feelings. This self-centeredness exacerbates the narrator's sense of isolation and unreciprocated affection.

The chorus, 'And the sound of her name sends a permanent shiver down my spine,' encapsulates the lingering impact of this unfulfilled love. The shiver symbolizes a mix of longing, pain, and perhaps a touch of fear, indicating that the mere thought of the lover has a profound and unsettling effect. The imagery of wearing her photograph against his heart signifies the deep emotional attachment, despite the unhealthy nature of the relationship. The references to 'alcohol and cigarettes' further underscore the narrator's attempts to cope with his emotional distress through self-destructive habits, yet he acknowledges that there is 'no room for cheap regrets,' indicating a resignation to his fate.