Shadow by Rainwater

‘Shadow’ started as an observation of my tall shadow in the early morning as I walked to school. Later that day, one of my students was picking wild flowers from the space where the concrete and grass met. It was early Spring where the light is magnificent when it allows you to see it, just like today.

As I continued the song, it also became an observation of my shadow self- the buried parts of my identity. As I’ve become more and more of a “real adult,” I’ve had to strategically bury so many aspects of my identity in the service of productivity and responsibility. Having a child and being a teacher both reinforces keeping that shadow hidden, while also allowing little moments of my child-like shadow self to be tall and proud.

A shadow is sometimes just a shadow- tall one moment and gone the next. Sometimes a shadow is also who you don’t want everyone to see- a bit embarrassing, scary, and thrilling. Either way, it’s always following and changing form.

I hope we can all embrace our shadows in ways that honor our inner child!

Tracklist

1.	Shadow	3:11

Lyrics

Shadow's long
It got it all wrong
In soft, yet bright morning light
Oh, it don’t feel right

Shadow follows me
Until trees covering
In the place of true solitude,
I stay bruised

Picking wild flowers
Where the grass meets concrete

Shadows tall
I want to be nothing at all
Not gone, just hidden and small,
Can’t answer when you call

Shadow following
It drags the day and all its harboring
To a place I can’t escape
Take me to outer space

Picking wild flowers
Where the grass meets concrete

Credits

released March 28, 2025
Engineered and Mixed by Samuel Rosson & Blake Luley in Blake's basement (Rainier Beach, Seattle, WA)
Mastered by Nich Wilbur at The Unknown (Anacortes, WA)

Blake Luley- Vocals, Guitar, Synth, random noises
Jesse Botello- Bass
James Kasinger- Drums

Artwork originally painted by Carol Stampfer and then lovingly destroyed by Zahava Stampfer-Luley

License