Shimmer
by Fuel

Album: Sunburn (1998)
Charted: 42
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Songfacts®:

  • Fuel guitarist Carl Bell wrote this about an ex-girlfriend who is trapped in a bad marriage. Bell told the VH1 Storytellers crowd that he fell in love with the girl right after high school and was devastated when she left him for another man, the same man she ended up marrying. When she phoned Bell one night and confided her relationship woes, he felt a range of emotions that came out on "Shimmer."
  • Peaking at #2 on the US Modern Rock Tracks chart, this was held off from the top spot by the Goo Goo Dolls smash "Iris." But Bell didn't mind. He told Pass The Aux: "I always said to people, if there was any song I would play second fiddle to and I had to do it, it would be that song. I'm OK playing second fiddle to 'Iris' because that's a song I always liked and always wished I had wrote that song."
  • 20 years after its release, Bell was still proud of the song that launched the band, and reminisced about writing it. "I felt good about it for sure when I wrote it," he told Pass The Aux in 2018. "I knew the chord changes were nice. It's got that C-chord with an open string running through it. It was a movable position on the neck. It has this nice chimey sound to the chord changes. I remember liking that. I love that little string-line that was going to be in there."
  • Bell wrote the song, but Brett Scallions sang it. Scallions was Fuel's lead singer until he left he band in 2006. "Brett could really sing it, he always brought that natural compression to his voice that he sings that's so unique," Bell said. "He and I could get in a room together and we could get these amazing vocal recordings and I remember being blown away by some of the stuff he could do."
  • The Josh Taft-directed music video opens with Brett Scallions singing in the backseat of a car in between flashes of a young family that includes a man, a woman, a baby, a dog, and a goldfish. As Scallions joins the rest of the band against the backdrop of a hazy city skyline, the family begins to fade away and the goldfish dies. But there's hope at the end as they come back into focus and the fish is shown alive and well. Taft also helmed clips from Stone Temple Pilots ("Plush"), Nas ("The World Is Yours") and Pearl Jam ("Alive").
  • This was used on the TV show Charmed in the 1999 episode "Secrets And Guys."
  • In 2020, Australian rock band Hands Like Houses covered this for the Triple J radio program Like A Version.
  • This was the first hit for Fuel, a rock band from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Before landing on their debut studio album, the track appeared on their Porcelain EP two years earlier. It became a local hit in their hometown and caught the attention of Sony, which released the band's subsequent EP, Hazleton, via 550 Music (a division of the Sony-owned Epic Records).
  • Fuel celebrated the 20th anniversary of Sunburn with a world tour, where, of course, they performed this popular tune. In an interview with Heavy Magazine, Scallions speculated why the song still resonated so strongly with fans after two decades. "That song is about a relationship," he explained. "A person that was once in your life and then you kind of split up a little bit and then there's a time when you reconnect and there’s the idea and thought of what if. What if we had never separated from each other? Where would we be now and would our lives be better? I think that a lot of people can connect and relate to something like that. Maybe that's why that song has been so popular over the years."
  • The album was recorded at Long View Farm, a 1500-acre horse ranch in North Brookfield, Massachusetts. A barn on the property was converted into a recording studio in the '70s and attracted a number of acts, including The Rolling Stones, who used it as a rehearsal space. LCD Soundsystem, the J. Geils Band, Aerosmith, and Death Cab For Cutie also recorded albums there.

Comments: 27

  • Chmmr from Melbourne, AustralliaJust Googled the Hands Like Houses version... turned it off about a minute in.
  • Marty from Eastern OhioSometimes you take a look at where you are-where time has gone-and what will be. SHIMMER-so short-so bitter sweet-slaps me like a creeper buzz even to this day, leaving my heart ripped out with the rest of my body thrown against a concrete block wall. Some of the BEST Lyrics ever written-thank you Carl Bell for putting into words-Brett Scallions for vocals and FUEL for the composition. "Guess I'll let it go."
  • Kayte from IllinoisIt is in fact NOT an anti abortion song. Google y’all. Just google. It’s about an ex girlfriend marrying another man and calling years later when they had problems.
  • Emma from KansasIn an interview the lead singer said it was about a girl that he was close to getting married to and then she married someone else. Two years later she called him. If you read the lyrics it makes total sense, "she calls me from the cold" meaning out of nowhere, "all that she intends, and all she keeps inside isn't on the label" meaning she isn't sharing all her thoughts and feelings. "she says she's ashamed can she take me for awhile? can i be a friend? we'll forget past or maybe I'm not able" saying that she regrets her actions, and he's being friendly but he still cares for her as when he did then and thinks it could make him fall for her again as he's trying to be friendly. The song is basically saying he can't have her now and its past over and he doesn't want to get caught in his feelings for her. At least that is my takeaway.

    this song has made sob, sit and stare at my spinning fan, dance energetically. for some reason every time i listen to it it physically breaks my heart i truly cannot explain it.
  • Kristin from Birmingham@Tim from Clarksdale...perfectly said, me too. I’m 10 years younger (about to turn 40) so this was the alternative rock era of the mid-late 90’s when I was in high school and college- so nostalgic
  • Athena.. Of Freedom Road from AlaskaI think its about a past relationship failed due to drugs or cheating. She calls him from the cold just as hes feeling short of stable, as though itd been awhile since they spoke. Hes brought to center in a way by the call.
    Basically the chick Is floating on a cloud unknowing of the damage shes inflicting on the other end. "Feilds of butterfly's reality ecapes her, she says that love is for fools that fall behind" then he says hes "somewhere inbetween" hes numb.
    "Were here and now, but we will ever be again, cause i have found that all that shimmers is sure to fade away" He knows that shes going to fade away soon.. shes getting further away from him and he can feel it. He cant hold her, even if shes next to him. Shes on another level, shes beautiful "shimmers" but shes soon to fade away
  • Shell Shell from Erie County NyIf you watch the video you can see the anti-abortion comment (From Fiona) makes sense. Pay attention to the words. "She says she's ashamed" " I never really knew a killer from a savior" "It's too far away for me to hold". I'm inclined to think he was with someone who had an abortion against his will. The video depicts a woman's abdominal region, and a baby, and a baby statue (memorial?).
  • Tim from ClarkdaleLove this song so much…but it haunts me. It makes me think about the young women I have dated and loved. I imagine how my life would be different if I had married one of them. I’ve cyberstalked and found many of them. Most are married. It’s nice to see them again on facebook and sometimes feels like I just got off the phone after catching up with an old friend (yes of course I leave them alone). Most of all Shimmer fills me with a poignant longing for my youth. I’m 50 now and fairly happy, but I will never forget the newness of adulthood, the power of my emotions, the excitement of the coming future, and the sadness of so much time passing…all captured in a heavy, satisfying blast of rock.
  • Vanessa from Makati, Philippinesi can really relate to this song, this was dedicated to me by an ex-boyfriend when we broke up because i left him. i still feel sad for what happened. love this song for the memories.
  • Clarissa from Delaware, OhI absolutely adore this song for many reasons. It honestly reminds me of someone who has heartache not because of a break up but more or less because the one she loves / loved has gone away. When it talks about the shimmers in this world fading it basically states it's all going to dye (go away). But at the same time this song can describe the trickery of someone you fall in love with. How they can break you slowly, but in the end you have to let go and move on.

    I love these lyrics, one of my favorite.
  • Aaron from Houston, TxWhen i hear this song it makes me think of where my home was and all the people i loved that i left behind. Makes me feel like i can start over in a new place and things will never be the same. It helps me look to the future.. thats just what comes to mind when i hear it.. But by far my most favorite song ever
  • Ali from Oxford, PaThis song always brings back nostalgic feelings. A few years back I spent time with family who I don't really see much for Thanksgiving, and my cousin's step-dad burned a CD for my Dad that had Shimmer on it. Whenever I hear the song, it always brings back the memories of that, even though it really wasn't a very memorable part of my life. I love the song, though.
  • Lorinda from Central Wa, WaI just wanted to add that this song is my FAVORITE song of all time. I listen to music damn near 24/7. My tv only gets used when the kids watch it. Anyway, as for the comment about this song being about abortion....I think that Fiona actually may have been thinking of Hemmorage. Which is another favorite song of mine by Fuel, as it happens,-but Shimmer and Hemmorage are two completely different songs and not about the same subjects......Just my input!!!!
  • Dustin from Hsl, FlI think that this song is about a girl who is too far away for him to hold, and how everything that shimmers in this world is sure to fade. Meaning all he wants is to be with her and that good things come to an end. For when he is with her he doesnt want it to end, but he knows it is going to fade. This was the song that described me and my ex's relationship, it was our song we would say. We broke up and I saw her once more before she died, and low and behold 3 bars down the live band starting playing this song. We just looked at each other with a blank stare. RIP Theresa you will be missed.
  • Aj from Pittsburgh, Pa-Never really know
    A killer from a savior
    'Til I break at the bend-

    Ain't that the truth
    Girls suck!

  • Alexia from Toledo, OhNothing seems to last forever. "All that shimmers in this world is sure to fade"
  • Fiona from Chadwick, IlYes this song is anti abortion song. i know for a fact because i heard him say it him self on a radio interview.
  • Harper from Tucson, AzUm, no, this song is not anti-abortion; it has nothing to do with abortion at all. The "shameful" feeling comes from her contacting her ex and sharing her problems/feelings with him, something that could be considered inappropriate because of her current relationship (marriage, engagement, whatever it is).
  • Adam from Marlboro, NjI'm a major Fuel fan and this is my favorite song ever. The song reminds me so much of my own life and my ex girlfriend. I think the lyrics are beautiful. I've seen this live and it's even more amazing in person.
  • Fiona from Chadwick, IlThis song is about anti abortion. it talks about telling this guy what she had done and how she fills ashamed. he speaks about filling betrayed and confused how he fills about her now. yes she wanted a lot in life thats y she has champaigne dreams ect. it's y she dose what she did so she can have all of that.
  • Chloe from Vic, Aus, Australiai think this song is about a girl who has all these expectations and "champaigne dreams", she is so caught up in these ideals that she doesnt belive in love and thinks it is only for "fools who fall behind" and the guy gets tricked into believing she actually loves him... "never really knows a killer from a savior" and she turns out to be a killer and what once seemed from his perspective to "shimmer" fades because she doesnt really love him and that my friends is what this song is about. heart breakers.
  • Danica from Cairns, AustraliaThis song is very personal to me. I have a friend who lives a long way away from me now who I love more than life itself (yes it is a guy). And whenever anything is bothering me or making me upset and depressed, he is always the first one there helping me out no matter what is going on his life, telling me how I am such a strong person and that I can make it. To me, it sounds like he's singing it to me cos I'm so far away he can't hold me and tell me it'll be all ok, and even though I act like I'm able to handle anything I'm really insecure inside and I can just escape in my fantasy world with him whenever I want.
  • Fiona from Ayr, ScotlandFantastic song!! THe lyrics are so catchy and Brett's voice is carried in an effective way!
  • Ryan from Northlake, IlI totally agree with you big rob.
  • Robert from Chicago, IlThis is an amazing song. It is so true how "All that shimmers in this world is sure to fade away". It always bring back memories of better days for me, And it feels good when it sometimes pops up on the radio, It always puts a smile on my face.
  • Kenya from New York, NyThe whole: "She dreams a champagne dream, strwaberry surprise, pink linen on white paper" Is talking about wedding plans. But "Reality escapes her". It's truly a beautiful song, and really overlooked.
  • Meg from Visalia, Cawow.... i didn't know it was about that. i thought it was more about a heart broken girl who has to escape through drinking and making her own world that makes her happy.

    "She dreams a champagne dream
    Strawberry suprise, pink linen on white paper
    Lavender and cream
    Fields of butterflies, reality escapes her"

    but wow... a bad marriage... yeah i guess that could work. i never thought of it that way.

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