Learn English with Shallow by Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper. Fill in the blanks in the lyrics as you listen to the song.
Lyrics
Sing-Along
Now try to sing along with the piano cover of Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper’s Shallow. Remember to press the Record button below so you can listen to your recording when you’ve finished.
Song Meaning
Meaning 1
I feel like the song is saying when we have real, meaningful, authentic, deep conversations, we’re “out of the shallow.” So much of life is lived in the shallow end when what matters most is in the deep (but perhaps scarier end). Talk about what really matters. Live your life in the deep and meaningful instead of the shallow and meaningless.
Meaning 2
This song is emotive both melodically and lyrically. The sparse acoustic guitar underscores the desire to escape a modern world that is increasingly shallow and, at times, isolating—with its reality TV shows, selfies, and instant social-media “friendships.” The song makes you think, and the instrumental pauses allow you to catch your breath, take in the words, and contemplate a deeper meaning.
The words “I’m falling” are the emotional peak of the song and have a dual meaning for me, reminding me of going off the deep end but also of falling in love. In this duet with Bradley Cooper, the singers yearn for something more and are falling—almost freefalling—in order to break through the surface veneer of happiness, due in part to the trappings of fame—because they are longing to reach a deeper place of meaning, both in their relationship and within themselves.
Meaning 3
“Off the deep end” usually means something risky or uncertain. However, the “shallow” is usually not too deep or emotionally meaningful. However again… the shallow is usually a safe place to be in with no risk of drowning. Often, love songs or songs, in general, have a dichotomy of two contradictory concepts existing concurrently. Lady Gaga is saying she wants to break free from the mundane, day-to-day life. She is “Off the deep end,” exploring new ideas. But, she is also “far from the shallow… where they can’t hurt us.” There is no consequence of being injured because the water in the deep end is enough not to “meet the ground.” Nevertheless, the final outro repeats, “in the shallow, shallow,” because she is reiterating that she may be scared of change and she is precautious not to jump into anything too quickly. Thus, in the safety of the shallow and yearning to break free, yet also off the deep end to explore new ideas all the while, in a safe environment and with good intentions.
