The seventh track on Get Z to a Nunnery, “Berg and I” is based on the short philosophical story Borges and I by writer Jorge Luis Borges. The song follows a similar narrative to the story, with both focusing on the idea of the artist having two distinct ‘selves’: the inner private self and the perso...
[Verse 1]
So I woke up one morning with a shadow sleeping in my bed
His voice was soft and solemn but the teeth were rotting out his head
He said to me, "Let's make a deal
I'll get you out of this here mess
But follow you, I will, until you're dead"
[Verse 2]
And as the days went by, my shadow matched my each and every step
And whispered words of wickedness that rattled 'round my weary head
Till I gave up and let him do the talking while I rested
And forgot the countless wicked things he said
[Chorus]
So is he my shadow, or am I his?
Am I who I am, or what I did?
[Verse 3]
And soon I got so light my wicked shadow tripped me constantly
And shadows pooled upon my skin each time I fell upon my knees
Spotted, dotted, tattered with a shadow hanging over me
I hung my head and wished for sweet relief
[Verse 4]
Now he's the one things happen to, I look upon it helplessly
He's taken on my mannerisms, acts my life out like a scene
Haunted, hounded as my shadow taunts me with his tactics
I stare stupid, and in utter disbelief
[Chorus]
So is he my shadow, or am I his?
Am I who I am, or what I did?
[Bridge]
And then one day I turned around and found my shadow missing
It was worse than that first moment when I woke up lying next to him
"Have I been dreaming this whole time?"
I asked to no one listening
And a shudder rippled through my chest like lightning
[Chorus]
There is no shadow, there's never been
There is no shadow, there never is
I am what I am and what I did
Berg and I was written by Z Berg.
Berg and I was produced by Ethan Gruska.
Z Berg released Berg and I on Fri Jul 10 2020.