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Shivers

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Boys Next Door

About Shivers

"Shivers" is a song by the Australian post-punk band the Boys Next Door, who would later become the Birthday Party. It is the tenth and final track from the band's debut studio album Door, Door, released in 1979 on Mushroom Records. It was released as the album's only single in May 1979, backed with the B-side "Dive Position". Written by guitarist Rowland S Howard at age 16, "Shivers" is a post-punk and new wave ballad featuring ironic lyrics regarding teenage relationships and suicide. Originally intended as humorous by Howard, he felt later it had been misinterpreted due to frontman Nick Cave's vocal delivery on the Boys Next Door version. Despite later distancing himself from the song, "Shivers" remained Howard's most requested song during his lifetime and was met with critical acclaim. It has since been cited as one of the most popular cult hits in Australian music. Several versions of "Shivers" have been released—including demo and solo recordings by Howard—and it has been covered by a variety of artists, including Marie Hoy, Laura Jane Grace, the Screaming Jets, Courtney Barnett and Divine Fits. 


Year:
2006
146 

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I've been contemplating suicide,
But it really doesn't suit my style,
So I think I'll just act bored instead
And contain the blood I would've shed?
She makes me feel so ill at ease
My heart is really on it's knees
But I keep a poker face so well
That even mother couldn't tell
But my baby's so vain
She is almost a mirror
And the sound of her name
Sends a permanent shiver down my
Spine
I keep her photograph against my heart
For in my life she plays a starring part
All alcohol and cigarettes
There is no room for cheap regrets
She makes me feel so ill at ease
My heart is really on it's knees
But I keep a poker face so well
That even mother couldn't tell
But my baby's so vain
She is almost a mirror
And the sound of her name
Sends a permanent shiver down my
Spine

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Boys Next Door

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Sheet Music      PDF     

Written by: Rowland Howard

Lyrics © Mute Song Limited

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

5 facts about this song

Boys Next Door" version
1. "Shivers" was actually written by Rowland S. Howard when he was only 16 years old, who was the band's guitarist. 2. The song was originally recorded and performed by Australian post-punk band "The Boys Next Door" (later called The Birthday Party), where Nick Cave was a member. 3. The track appeared on the band's debut studio album "Door, Door" released in 1979.
Divine Fits" Version
4. "Shivers" was covered by indie rock supergroup Divine Fits in their album "A Thing Called Divine Fits" which was released in 2012. 5. Even though Divine Fits is a relatively new band, featuring members from Spoon and Wolf Parade, their version of "Shivers" has been praised for its loyalty to the original with a modern twist.
Nick Cave" Solo
6. Nick Cave, who was the lead vocalist of "Boys Next Door", performed the song as a solo artist throughout his career with varying arrangements, showcasing his diverse musical prowess. 7. In some of his solo performances of the song, Cave chose to emphasise the darker, more morose elements of the track, demonstrating his capacity for conveying emotional intensity.
Screaming Jets" Cover Version
8. Australian rock band The Screaming Jets covered "Shivers" and it was included in their Album "Tear of Thought" which was released in 1992. 9. Their version of the song gained popularity across Australia, introducing the song to a new generation of rock fans.
Numerous Variations
10. Despite being covered by various artists including Courtney Love, "Shivers" remains a haunting ballad of love and loss that captivates audiences in each rendition. 11. It is quite unique that the song "Shivers" managed to cross genres from post-punk to indie rock to mainstream rock while maintaining its acclaim.

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