Meaning of "Shades" by The Devil Makes Three

The lyrics of "Shades" delve into themes of escapism, loneliness, and the transient connections formed in bars. The narrator's keen observation of a person who effortlessly mingles with the wealthy patrons in bars suggests a facade or performance they put on to access free drinks and socialize. The mention of the person's young age hints at their dishonesty and deception. The narrator, however, acknowledges their own complicity in this scene, admitting that they don't come to bars to meet genuine people anyway. They question their own behavior, wondering what they are doing drunk in the middle of the day. The reference to the departure of their hard-earned pay implies a sense of regret and financial strain resulting from their choices. Despite this introspection, the narrator finds solace in drawing the shades, metaphorically shutting out the world and allowing everything to drift away. The shades become a symbol of escape and detachment from reality. In the second verse, the narrator expresses a strong belief in encountering this person again due to the smallness of their town. They hope that this person finds temporary companionship with someone they bring home, relieving their own feelings of loneliness by not feeling alone for a brief period. The lyrics convey a sense of disillusionment, personal struggles, and the search for connection in a transient and often deceptive environment.