Shape of my Heart: Lyrical Analysis

Lyrical Analysis of Shape of my Heart by Sting
Original video: • Video

[@silvo01]

Personally, I think most of people don't understand the lyrics of this song. In my opionion at least, it is not really that much about Poker. Of course the words and composition of sentences are, but as I have been listening to this song the first time since I was a little kid - (maybe about 10 years old) my understanding of these words have changed drastically - for example: "He/She deals the cards as a meditation - and those he/she plays never suspect" - people that seek the attention and affirmation of others find their comfort in the people "playing" with them. They might not know the hand you got, but they love the game - makes them feel alive/in charge... Even if those people might think they got the upper hand, or are secretely satisfied to have found a player that equal - in the end there is a deeper pain hidden underneath. But as the song goes: "those who speak know nothing", it includes you, and it includes me writing this comment.

[@Mase007]

Agree..that’s almost exactly how I viewed it.

[@desertcreature2022]

This song is not about playing cards. It's about being able to love. Sometime we love more than one person

[@priscillavelazquezs]

@@desertcreature2022 I think so too. He’s playing it all but being careful, unsure of the outcome. Diamonds mean money for this art, probably signifying things that are superficial. But for him, it’s beyond that, He wants a deeper experience, and it seems to not be reciprocated the same.

[@GhostGuitars]

I like the last line of your comment! Yes its funny how revisiting things years later reveals more as you have more life experience. Last night I watched Gladiator for the first time since being a teenager, I missed a lot that first time.

[@bountyumbara8199]

The chorus explains the symbolic meaning of the Spades, the Clubs and the Diamonds, but not the Hearts, because it is different with his. So the using of modal verb "may" on 'playing the Jack of money, laying the Queen of the swords, concealing a King in hand' got me read back previous lines about what's hidden and a probable outcome that he wouldn't know. That part between two chorus doesn't feel like a useless part just to explain how to play the cards. I remember on my 2nd or 3rd time listening to this song, when it came to "If I tell you that I loved you, you'd may be think there's something wrong" I immediately looked for the lyric (which was none), played it again from beginning, again and again. I think that line is the only line that explicitly speaks about what's happening, the whole card game lyric is a metaphor, it's the "one mask" he was wearing. The gambling sounds like a situation, not an actual poker game. It's like a bet, the process of a decision making. For me, somehow this song sounds like a poet about a failing relationship.

[@GhostGuitars]

There is a lot of sadness in the song for sure. "he deals the cards to find the answers...." The narrator is trying to find some meaning to his struggles

[@inkajessy8640]

My assumptions were right. Thought this song was about dealing the tarot cards. That’s were we try to find answers to our question or what can we expect to happen whichever path we choose to take.

[@sebastiansak3079]

Really great, both stylistically (music in background, language, tone of your voice) and what's more important analytically (didn't expect so deep analysis). We need more of those.

[@GhostGuitars]

Thanks for watching :)

[@glennc100]

Immediately thought of Kabbalah and Tarot and Sacred Geometry. These cards are of chance and predict destiny. These cards can be anything, but only become something when observed, much like the double slit experiment.

[@GhostGuitars]

I agree! When card readers use them they are looking for details they are intuitively drawn to in that moment. But they are also just printed pictures on card, mere objects. Thanks for watching!

[@The-Black-Viking]

Many lyrics written to represent this song are inaccurate. Therefore they miss the story, which some however have nailed spot on. Its about finding love, with more than one person. It has nothing to do with playing cards. No songwriter is so litteral, always dealing in metaphor. The game is life and the dance, relationship(s)...as in two, simultaneously. This song is about being in love with "her, and "you" First word misrepresented in this and several sites is "her" had it not been mistaken, the clue would have been more obvious perhaps. "If I told her that I love you" (Matt had the lyric written correctly, but he said "if I told YOU that I loved you" Thereby completly missing yhe story (sorry Matt) Right there is the tension of the storyteller. His internal dialog is perplexed whether to tell or not tell his first love, that he has another love. And the fear he holds that his second love may feel betrayed as this relationship was to remain a secret. "You'd maybe think there's something wrong" The second love, after hearing you've spilled the beans, may believe it's over, you've confessed out of guilt, and will likely grovel for forgiveness and swear not to continue the affair. In truth, he does want to be honest, and feels guilt. Not for loving another, but for hiding it. He wants all of his love to be open, not a game, not a war, not used as a weapon. Its a dance. He fears his second love however is so dependent on the secret, ("why would you tell, now we'll be a scandal and I'll feal shame) so is he trapped in secrecy? "For those who speak no nothing" Yes, he must remain silent, for to tell would be to ruin or upset the balance. You may have 1 love, all others must remain secret. This is the agreement we have all made, dont rock the boat. ("I dont want to know") "And find out too their cost" To speak is to unravel the illusion, the superficial agreement. Once you speak of this, it will be over. What a cost. Is love about blindness and ownership? We've forgotten how to have open hearts, how love is an eternal spring, enough for two partners. "Like those who curse their luck in too many places" Dont spread yourself too much. Perhaps two loves is manageable. But thinking you can love anyone and everyone...that will have an whole other set of consequences. "And thise who fear are lost" Vs some never love, never feel the glory of connection because they fear being hurt or are stuck in the lain of having loved, felt ownership, felt they were losing if their partner was gaining from loving beyond their four walled relationship. Holding that as truth can burn a scar into your heart after which its challenging to open your heart agai. Without true reflection, letting go and healing. The chorus is a description of all that this world focuses on. Expectations of what a man is or "should be" "I know that the spades are the swords of a soldier" A protector, strong, masculine, provider. "I know that the clubs are weapons of war" But see what becomes of this archetype, power corrupts. And control becomes the story, the agreement we've all fallen for. "I know that diamonds bring money for this art" And playing by these rules, these areements of what role men and women are supposed to play, has become our norms, from which we have or attempt to obtain perceived wealth. "But thats not the shape of my heart" But thats not the story I believe is right. We are capable of love, without owning one another. Allowing the heart to expand in multiple directions, with the intention of causing no harm. Instead, bringing, creating, and sharing true joy. With that premise lets revisit the first verse. "He deals the cards, as a medatation" He plays the game of dating, not as a game, but studies it, and considers the rules. He's really good at it, but sees the the agreement is missing something. "And those he plays never suspect." He bends the agreements, explores alternate rules. But perhaps isnt being honest. He's seeing multiple women. "He doesnt play for the money he wins" Its not about conquests "He doesnt play for respect" Not to impress his friends Chorus Verse 2 "He deals the cards to find the answers" He's searching for the right person, the right people who wont restrict the playful and deep sense of happiness he seeks. The sacred geometry of chance Go out, meet people, play the game, he's looking for relationship (sex, love, an affair?) "The hidden law of a probable outcome" Dating is a numbers game "The numbers lead a dance" Play it long enough, you'll find someone. And relationship has a familiar cadence or dance to it from the beguining.

[@The-Black-Viking]

I've listened to this song a billion times but never attempted to interpret the lyrics. Thank you all for bringing me to Consider the possible (POSSIBLE) meanings.

[@GhostGuitars]

Hey Viking! thanks for the message and you are right I missed that crucial point - WOW! It really does change things. Could be another lover, or perhaps a confidante he wants to speak to but his only love must remain secret. I think Sting identifies with the character (or its partly biographical as a lot are, as a way to express himself but not too directly). It might be inspired/reference to his first/second wife crossover period, and the idea of the chorus expressing masculine duty/expectations is something I hadnt considered. Thanks for this very thoughtful response

[@twiggy114123]

Lovely🥰 i genuinely came for sting but ended up feeling like a random confirmation to buy a tarot deck😂 Beautiful vibe sir✨ also such a relaxing music!

[@GhostGuitars]

I used to own a deck of Dragon Tarot cards. Cool AF

[@nadk22]

Means, even though I know the rules of the game , I do not play for winning by planning... I let the chances determine the ends

[@GhostGuitars]

Interesting point yes, we cant control everything. "The sacred geometry of chance..." You can predict with an educated guess but that is all it will be

[@maximedebeaupuis432]

That's a great job, you deserves more views, I'd love to share, but I'm a french guys and people here are not very in live with english language, so, a full analysis of a song...

[@GhostGuitars]

Hey man , thanks for watching. Merci, mon ami!

[@christopherscruggs3897]

Amazing video thank you for the post. When I saw stings summoners album cover I immediately thought of the death tarot card because of the white horse

[@GhostGuitars]

Thanks for watching! Glad to see people are still getting value from the video

[@liliaa1749]

That was so informative and interesting!! Thanks for making this video

[@GhostGuitars]

Glad you enjoyed it, thanks for watching. If you have any suggestions for a new video let me know

[@eev297]

poker is like life, i think, wow, thats deep, beatiful video man

[@GhostGuitars]

thanks man

[@ethanbyrne6462]

Interesting analysis, but I would like to be able to watch all of the vids in this series. I tried opening the link to the original video, but it said it was private. Any help would be appreciated. Thank you.

[@GhostGuitars]

Hey Ethan, thanks for watching. I've put all these in a playlist which can be accessed from the main channel :)

[@omlitz]

in my opinion the poker player is a metaphore for a political puppet master. the first verse tells of a person who deals card as a spiritual act. it is not clear that the people he deals the cards to are players at all, as they are called "those he plays", and are oblevious to his existance or even the fact that they are in a game. also the dealer is describes as someone that always wins, another hint to the fact he is not a gambler, and his role is more like "the house" in a casino. the dealer's motivation is controling the outcome of the game, as he doesnt do it for the money or respect (wich is another hint to him being a "shadow man"). the second verse talk about dealing card as a metaphore for trying to find soulutions to pressing issues in society by destributing wealth and power to different factions (or players). Here we have a strong reffernce to the oocultist notion of "the architect of reality" to rule the masses. this notion is all about turning different groups agianst each other in order to create public legitimacy to the changes you want to make in sosciety. This method is considered by its useres as a form of art that requires its practitioner to carefully calculate his actions to stay in power. in the chorus we have the represntation of the main resources in society as the suits of a card deck - manpower as spades, weapons as clubs, money as diamond and public opinion as hearts. the author of the lyrics speaks here in first person, and states that althogh he is aware of this game/dance, he is not a part of (or doesnt approve) it. third verse explains how that the dealer is melevolent - "playing the jack of diamonds" is cheating with money "lay the queen of spades" is raping the ordinary people "conceal a king in his hand" is having immunity - being above the law through having complete control over the strogent resource in the game in the forth verse the aouthor explains that in this game/dance there is no room for love and honesty between those the dealer plays, because they are forced to be rivals. the fifth verse he explain that this is a game of survival. Exposing what you know to others, showing weakness or acting in a fearfull manner will cause you to die ("are lost")

[@GhostGuitars]

Thanks for the comment it's an interesting read. Perhaps the 'dealer'/ players are ultimately yourself? Metaphorically speaking. For a lot of people their greatest battle is overcoming themselves

[@EamonDelaney]

Lovely break down of s classic 👌

[@bashartouma4027]

You are incredible . This was really informative , thank you .

[@GhostGuitars]

Appreciate that. If you have any suggestions for future videos let me know

[@user-cg1bh4cz7j]

I love your analysis. Can you share your analysis, please? Because I want to read and understand it more. Thank you.

[@GhostGuitars]

Yes, share wherever you like! Thanks for watching

[@xdonmars]

That mate 🥀

[@freecoder522]

Nice analysis sir

[@GhostGuitars]

Appreciate the kind words

[@AcousticHeart787]

You don't have to go that deep.This song is about a poker player.He is good poker player and he cannot express his feelings."He wears a one mask " that means he doesn't show any feeling and no one believes him because of that he fails in love

[@GhostGuitars]

True, you dont HAVE to go that deep, but Sting's lyrics are often full of extra meanings. Thanks for taking the time to write!

[@iloveputin7274]

thank you 💖

[@GhostGuitars]

Greetings to you!

[@maximedebeaupuis432]

Thanks a lot man

[@GhostGuitars]

Thanks for watching!

[@lilianalili8502]

Please!!!!! En español!!!!!

[@northerncaliking1772]

Why does it sound so sad. I thought it was a broken heart song

[@GhostGuitars]

Its in a minor key, because generally minor chords sound cooler. I dont think the song is about having a broken heart but clearly the narrator is not best happy and (I think) is using cards as a method of finding some sense of meaning in life "He deals the cards to find the answers..." But for sure there is a sadness there. Sad songs hit us harder. thanks for the comment