A poignant exploration of the struggle with self-destructive habits, 'Trading Shadows' tells the story of a friendship tested by the weight of an eating disorder. The song juxtaposes the façade of resilience with the hidden pain of spiraling health, exposing the complexity of relationships when one person struggles silently. With heartfelt lyrics and powerful imagery, this track captures the internal battle of trying to maintain strength while concealing the truth from a concerned friend.
Verse 1:
I've been playing with fire, chasing the flame,
Dancing in shadows, hiding my name.
You see me smile, but you don't know why,
Each bite that I swallow, just a part of the lie.
Pre-Chorus:
You reach out your hand, say "It's okay,"
But I shrug it off, like it's just another day.
I hate to worry you, don't want to alarm,
So I laugh it off, while I'm losing my charm.
Chorus:
I'm trading shadows, hiding in the dark,
Feeding this monster that's stealing my spark.
You think I'm fine, but I'm fading away,
Can't admit that I'm lost in this game I play.
Verse 2:
You call me late at night, hear the tremor in your voice,
You say, "I'm worried 'bout you, don't you get a choice?"
I say I'm doing great, everything’s alright,
But in the silence, I’m losing the fight.
Pre-Chorus:
You could see right through, if I let you in,
But I shield my heart, like it’s a game I can't win.
You shine like a beacon, but I turn off the light,
Pretend I’m all good, while I’m losing my sight.
Chorus:
I'm trading shadows, hiding in the dark,
Feeding this monster that's stealing my spark.
You think I'm fine, but I'm fading away,
Can't admit that I'm lost in this game I play.
Bridge:
I wish I could reach you, I wish I could scream,
But these whispers inside drown out all my dreams.
The echoes won't stop, they keep pulling me down,
And I wear this smile like a well-crafted crown.
Chorus:
I'm trading shadows, hiding in the dark,
Feeding this monster that's stealing my spark.
You think I'm fine, but I'm fading away,
Can't admit that I'm lost in this game I play.
Outro:
So I'll hold on tight, to this mask that I wear,
While inside I’m screaming, gasping for air.
You’ll never know, until I let go,
The cost of this battle, so heavy, so low.
Chords not available
Beat not available
Giving in to a self-destructive habit (an eating disorder) and your friend (who is long recovered) calling you out, but you minimize it for her benefit, and pretend it's fine. secretly it gets bad and you can't reach out to her.
Taylor Swift