The Shining

The song "The Shining" by The Neighbourhood delves into themes of self-perception, comparison, and the desire to match up to someone who seems to be effortlessly exceptional. The lyrics paint a picture of one person who is 'hiding' while the other is 'shining,' suggesting a dynamic where the speaker feels overshadowed by the brilliance of another. The repeated references to 'diamonds' and 'gold' symbolize the perceived value and radiance of the other person, while the speaker feels inadequate with a 'broken' heart.

The chorus introduces the metaphor of painting one's heart 'chrome' as a way to compensate for its brokenness and to not feel so alone. Chrome, while shiny, is not as valuable as gold, indicating that the speaker is trying to cover up their flaws and insecurities to appear more like the person they admire. This act of painting the heart chrome can be seen as an attempt to fit in or to bridge the gap between their own perceived mediocrity and the other's perceived superiority.

Ultimately, the song expresses a longing to 'shine' alongside the person they admire. The speaker is tired of the struggle to reach the heights of the shining individual and desires a sense of equality or companionship. The Neighbourhood, known for their moody and atmospheric indie rock sound, captures the essence of yearning and the human tendency to compare ourselves to others, often to our own detriment.