In the Shadows

***In the Shadows*** is the second track from The Rasmus' fifth studio album, *Dead Letters*. It was released as the debut single from the album on 2003.

## Background

The single achieved considerable chart success throughout Europe and Oceania, including the United Kingdom, where it reached No. 3, and New Zealand, where it topped the chart.

This is what Lauri Ylönen had to say about *In the Shadows* in a 2019 interview:

> "This song is our key to the big success. It’s a unique song in a good way. Other people would say that nobody plays this kind of music, are you sure about this? The song has an annoying catchiness that sticks to your mind, which took us all around the world. It became our ticket to the big markets. At the same time, it’s a completely misunderstood song. It’s an anxious song. Behind the lyrics, there’s all kind of angst. It’s a hymn for young people who feel different. And then it’s played at some club in Ibiza and the people are partying to our anxiety. Well, at least we achieved something with it."
>
>

A new version of *In the Shadows* featuring Eurovision 2022's winner, Kalush Orchestra, was released on October 21, 2022.

## Lyrics

No sleep

No sleep until I'm done with finding the answer

Won't stop

Won't stop before I find a cure for this cancer

Sometimes I feel like going down I'm so disconnected

Somehow I know that I am haunted to be wanted

I've been watching

I've been waiting

In the shadows for my time

I've been searching

I've been living

For tomorrow's all my life

In the shadows

In the shadows

They say that I must learn to kill before I can feel safe

But I, I'd rather kill myself than turn into their slave

Sometimes I feel that I should go and play with the thunder

Somehow I just don't want to stay and wait for a wonder

I've been watching

I've been waiting

In the shadows for my time

I've been searching

I've been living

For tomorrow all my life

Lately, I've been walking, walking in circles

Watching, waiting for something

Feel me, touch me, heal me

Come take me higher

I've been watching

I've been waiting

In the shadows for my time

I've been searching

I've been living

For tomorrow all my life

I've been watching

I've been waiting

I've been searching

I've been living for tomorrow

In the shadows

In the shadows

I've been waiting

## Music videos

### Finnish "bandit" version

Directed by: Finn Andersson (Film Magica Oy)

Location: Helsinki, Finland

Date of filming: December 13, 2002

Release date: February 3, 2003

### European "crow" version

Directed by: Niclas Fronda and Fredrik Löfberg (Baranga Film)

Location: Stockholm, Sweden

Date of filming: May 21, 2003

Release date: June 9, 2003

### US/UK "mirror" version

Directed by: Philipp Stölzl

Location: Bucharest, Romania

Date of filming: June 20, 2003

Release date: August 5, 2003

### *In the Shadows of Ukraine* feat. Kalush Orchestra

Directed by: Leonid Kolosovskyi

Location: Poland

Date of filming: September 14, 2022

Release date: October 21, 2022

## Commercial releases

### In the Shadows of Ukraine feat. Kalush Orchestra

On October 18, 2022, The Rasmus announced a new version of the song titled *In the Shadows of Ukraine* featuring Kalush Orchestra, who won the 2022 Eurovision Song Contest representing Ukraine. The single and music video will be released on October 21, 2022.

## Awards and nominations

* Nominated: Best Single at Kerrang! Awards (2004)
* **Won:** Best Foreign Song at Swedish Hit Music Awards (2003)

## Trivia

* The song was used as the title theme for the French TV talk show *On n'est pas couché*.
* The piano and synthesizer on the song were recorded by HIM keyboard player Janne Puurtinen (also known as *Emerson Burton*).
* Philipp Stölzl, who directed the "mirror" video, has also directed many well known music videos such as *Du hast* by Rammstein and *Bring Me to Life* by Evanescence.
* The "Bandit" video was the longest lasting video on MTV Nordic's Up North chart in 2003 - spanning at 20 weeks!
* In the live DVD, *Live Letters*, they included a video of the band's first presentation of the song to the label. This is also available to watch on The Rasmus' YouTube channel.
* The "revamped" version features additional vocals by Siiri Nordin of the Finnish rock band Killer.
* In 2004, Eddsworld creator Edd Gould featured the song in his 2004 animation "Creative Shadows".
* *In the Shadows* was released for Guitar Hero: World Tour as downloadable content. It is available as either a single track or as part of the European Track Pack 03. The song was also unlockable in Guitar Rock Tour.
* British rap artist, Smiler, features samples of *In the Shadows* in his 2013 song, *Brand New Style*.
* The photo on the single cover was also used on the UK edition of *Dead Letters*.

## References

1. ↑ https://www.therasmus-hellofasite.it/en/archives/15610
2. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pb6IbbAt2ig