The Shape I'm In

Album: Stage Fright (1970)
Play Video
  • Go out yonder, peace in the valley
    Come downtown, have to rumble in the alley
    Oh, you don't know the shape I'm in

    Has anybody seen my lady
    This living alone will drive me crazy
    Oh, you don't know the shape I'm in

    I'm gonna go down by the water
    But I ain't gonna jump in, no, no
    I'll just be looking for my maker
    And I hear that that's where she's been? Oh

    Out of nine lives, I spent seven
    Now, how in the world do you get to Heaven
    Oh, you don't know the shape I'm in

    I just spent sixty days in the jailhouse
    For the crime of having no dough, no, no
    Now here I am back out on the street
    For the crime of having nowhere to go

    Save your neck or save your brother
    Looks like it's one or the other
    Oh, you don't know the shape I'm in

    Now two young kids might start a ruckus
    You know they feel you trying to shuck us
    Oh, you don't know the shape I'm in Writer/s: Robbie Robertson
    Publisher: Universal Music Publishing Group
    Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 2

  • Jim from Long Beach, CaThis is one of the highlight of "The Last Waltz". Richard Manuel R.I.P. my brother.........
  • Lafite from Ottawa, OnOne of my favorite songs by The Band. Richard Manuel's vocal is great on this. Too bad his contribution to the band was limited by his alcoholism and mental state. A band with 3 great lead singers. What a luxury.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Boz Scaggs

Boz ScaggsSongwriter Interviews

The "Lowdown" and "Lido Shuffle" singer makes a habit of playing with the best in the business.

Superman in Song

Superman in SongSong Writing

Not everyone can be a superhero, but that hasn't stopped generations of musicians from trying to be Superman.

Stand By Me: The Perfect Song-Movie Combination

Stand By Me: The Perfect Song-Movie CombinationSong Writing

In 1986, a Stephen King novella was made into a movie, with a classic song serving as title, soundtrack and tone.

Bands Named After Real People (Who Aren't In The Band)

Bands Named After Real People (Who Aren't In The Band)Song Writing

How a gym teacher, a janitor, and a junkie became part of some very famous band names.

Don Brewer of Grand Funk

Don Brewer of Grand FunkSongwriter Interviews

The drummer and one of the primary songwriters in Grand Funk talks rock stardom and Todd Rundgren.

Laura Nyro

Laura NyroSongwriting Legends

Laura Nyro talks about her complex, emotionally rich songwriting and how she supports women's culture through her art.