About the song
Background of “Standing in the Shadows of Love”
- Released in 1966 by the Four Tops on the Motown label.
- Written and produced by the legendary Motown songwriting team Holland-Dozier-Holland.
- Considered a follow-up to their previous hit, “Reach Out I’ll Be There,” sharing some musical similarities.
- Became a major hit, reaching #2 on the soul chart and #6 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Themes in “Standing in the Shadows of Love”
- Unrequited Love: The song portrays the narrator’s despair and loneliness. He feels like he’s constantly “standing in the shadows of love,” unseen and unwanted by the object of his affection.
- Despondency: The tone is a stark contrast to the optimism of “Reach Out I’ll Be There.” This song deals with the pain of rejection and feeling left out.
- Yearning: Despite the despair, there’s a lingering hope that things might change. The narrator still desires the love he feels is out of reach.
Even though some critics saw it as formulaic compared to “Reach Out I’ll Be There,” “Standing in the Shadows of Love” remains a powerful song due to its passionate vocals and relatable theme of unrequited love.
Video
Lyrics
Standing in the shadows of loveI’m getting ready for the heartaches to comeCan’t you see me standing in the shadows of loveI’m getting ready for the heartaches to come
I want to run but there’s nowhere to go‘Cause heartaches will follow me, I knowWithout your love, the love I needIt’s the beginning of the end for me‘Cause you’re taking away all my reasons for livin’When you pushed aside all the love I been givin’Now wait a minute
Didn’t I treat you right, now baby, didn’t I?Didn’t I do the best I could now, didn’t I?
So don’t you leave meStanding in the shadows of loveI’m getting ready for the heartaches to comeDon’t you see me standing in the shadows of loveTrying my best to get ready for the heartaches to come
All aloneI’m destined to be, with misery my only companyIt may come today, it might come tomorrowBut it’s for sure I ain’t got nothing but sorrowNow don’t your conscience kind of bother youHow can you watch me cry after all I done for youHold on a minute
Gave you all the love I had now, didn’t I?When you needed me I was always there now, wasn’t I?
I’m trying hard not to cry out loudYou know crying it ain’t gonna help me nowWhat did I do to cause all this grief?Now what’d I say to make you want to leaveNow wait a minute
Gave my heart and soul to you now, didn’t I?And didn’t I always treat you good, now didn’t I?
I’m standing in the shadows of loveI’m getting ready for the heartaches to comeDon’t you see me standing in the shadows of loveTrying my best to get ready for the heartaches to comeOh I’m standing in the shadows of love