Song Information
"Shadow" was written by Ashlee Simpson, Kara DioGuardi and producer John Shanks. It is three minutes 57 seconds long, and is the third track on Autobiography.
The song is about feelings Simpson had (when she was about 15 or 16 years old), according to one interview of living in the shadow of the dreams and accomplishments of her famous older sister, Jessica Simpson, and finding her own identity. Although "Shadow" is noted for having somewhat dark lyrics, it concludes with a positive message, as Simpson sings that "everything's cool now" and "the past is in the past." Simpson has said that it is "about loving yourself and coming to terms with who you are"; also, in an interview on Live with Regis and Kelly on September 22, 2004, Simpson explained the song's meaning:
| “ | ...a lot of people think that 'Shadow' is about my sister, but 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! | ” |
"Shadow" was called the "best and most personal song" on the album in a People magazine review. There has, however, also been criticism of the song's lyrics for seeming excessively dramatic in light of Simpson's apparently loving family and fortunate circumstances.
Asked in one interview about the unhappiness she expresses in "Shadow" about her childhood, and whether it's "just for the song," Simpson replied:
| “ | I was dealing with my inner demons, and my inner voices in my head. It wasn't necessarily my parents being bad parents. It was just things that I battled with in my head. Feeling second best, or feeling that they didn't love me. But the song's saying: 'Guys, I apologize, if I ever put you guys through hell. I love you, and love my life, and thank you for letting me be myself, even though I messed up at times.' | ” |
| “ | They all bawl whenever they listen to it—my sister, my parents, everybody." | ” |
Simpson also related, on another occasion, that "hen my sister heard the song she cried and said, 'That's the most beautiful song I've ever heard!'"
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